Tender

Ask AI about this notice

Summarise, research or assess it with AI

View Markdown

Share this notice

Send this contract to a colleague

250286 Framework Agreement for the Provision of Specialist and Executive Search Services

Queen's University Belfast

This public procurement record has 4 releases in its history.

TenderCancellation

24 Jun 2026 at 15:33

UK12 - Procurement Termination Notice
TenderUpdate

03 Mar 2026 at 16:07

UK4 - Tender Notice
TenderUpdate

26 Feb 2026 at 14:54

UK4 - Tender Notice
Tender

05 Feb 2026 at 16:27

UK4 - Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Queen's University Belfast recently completed a procurement process for a Framework Agreement to provide Specialist and Executive Search Services, as per the notice updated on 24th June 2026. The tender, identified by reference 250286, was categorised under recruitment and personnel services, aiming to source high-quality candidates across academia and professional services. Although the procurement was initially active, all lots were cancelled as of 24th June 2026, due to an internal review by the University. Each lot within the agreement targeted diverse roles, including temporary and permanent specialist and executive positions, both nationally and internationally. While the procurement employed an open procedure to solicit interest, the process reached completion with all related awards being cancelled.

This procurement opportunity was potentially significant for businesses specialising in recruitment services, particularly those with expertise in sourcing high-calibre professionals across varied sectors, including higher education and international markets. The structuring of the framework into multiple lots allowed a targeted approach for businesses with specialisations in certain role types or geographical locations. The opportunity for growth lay with firms adept at providing end-to-end recruitment solutions and those familiar with competitive dynamics in higher education and related industries, as the university planned to appoint multiple suppliers across the framework for diverse role categories. Despite the cancellation, future similar tenders may extend these opportunities to capable recruitment service providers capable of demonstrating a robust understanding of the industry's intricacies.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

250286 Framework Agreement for the Provision of Specialist and Executive Search Services

Notice Description

The University wishes to establish a framework for the provision of Specialist and Executive Search Services. The appointed suppliers will deliver diverse, high-quality candidates as required for the role, through a combination of market search, networking and advertising. The successful suppliers must be able to demonstrate a strong working knowledge of the employment markets from which candidates may be drawn. This will include Higher Education institutions but also other sectors where relevant candidates may be found. There should be a strong focus upon the employment markets within the island of Ireland as well as Great Britain, the EU and internationally. The appointed suppliers will be expected to have a proven track record to work closely with the relevant leadership team in attracting a suitable and diverse pool of highly qualified candidates for the scope of the positions covered under the respective lots they are appointed under. Further detail is provided within the Specification. Queen's intends, following the process outlined in this ITT, to establish a closed Framework Agreement for the provision of Specialist and Executive Search Services. The Framework Agreement will be split into Lots as further detailed below and Queen's envisages that, following the process outlined in the ITT and TRP. Lot 1A: Temporary Specialist Roles Lot 1B: Permanent Specialist Roles Lot 2A: Temporary Executive level roles for Professional Services Lot 2B: Permanent Executive level roles for Professional Services Lot 3A: Temporary Executive level roles for Academic Operations Lot 3B: Permanent Executive level roles for Academic Operations Lot 4: International roles for overseas locations Following the process outlined in this ITT and TRP, Queen's intends to appoint 3 Suppliers to each lot of the Framework Agreement and Call-Off Contracts will be awarded in accordance with the Call-Off Procedure provided with this ITT.

Lot Information

Lot 1A: Temporary Specialist Roles

This lot is for the search and selection of highly qualified candidates for specialist temporary roles in both academic and professional services areas. The Supplier is required to identify suitable candidates to fill roles normally at Grade 7 to 10 (or academic grades AC2 to Professorial Range 4). Temporary positions are likely to be for a minimum of 12 months' cover, such as interim appointments or maternity leave cover, in some cases appointments may be required for a shorter period.

Renewal: The Framework shall be for a period of 1 year, subject to satisfactory annual review, with the option to extend the contract by up to a further 36 Months.

Lot 1B: Permanent Specialist Roles

This lot is for the search and selection of highly qualified candidates for specialist permanent roles in both academic and professional services areas. The Supplier is required to identify suitable candidates to fill roles normally at Grade 7 to 10 (or academic grades AC2 to Professorial Range 4).

Renewal: The Framework shall be for a period of 1 year, subject to satisfactory annual review, with the option to extend the contract by up to a further 36 Months.

Lot 2A: Temporary Executive level roles for Professional Services

This lot is for the search and selection of highly qualified candidates for executive level temporary roles in Professional Services (Non-Academic Operations). The Supplier is required to identify suitable candidates to fill the roles of Director and above, with a salary of over PS112k per annum. Temporary positions are likely to be for a minimum of 12 months' cover, such as interim appointments or maternity leave cover, in some cases appointments may be required for a shorter period.

Renewal: The Framework shall be for a period of 1 year, subject to satisfactory annual review, with the option to extend the contract by up to a further 36 Months.

Lot 2B: Permanent Executive level roles for Professional Services

This lot is for the search and selection of highly qualified candidates for executive level permanent roles in Professional Services (Non-Academic Operations). The Supplier is required to have the expertise in both national and international markets to identify suitable candidates to fill the roles of Director and above.

Renewal: The Framework shall be for a period of 1 year, subject to satisfactory annual review, with the option to extend the contract by up to a further 36 Months.

Lot 3A: Temporary Executive level roles for Academic Operations

This lot is for the search and selection of highly qualified candidates for executive level temporary roles in Academic Operations. The Supplier is required to have the expertise in both national and international markets to identify suitable candidates to fill the roles of Head of School and above. Temporary positions are likely to be for a minimum of 12 months' cover, such as interim appointments or maternity leave cover, in some cases appointments may be required for a shorter period.

Renewal: The Framework shall be for a period of 1 year, subject to satisfactory annual review, with the option to extend the contract by up to a further 36 Months.

Lot 3B: Permanent Executive level roles for Academic Operations

This lot is for the search and selection of highly qualified candidates for executive level permanent roles in Academic Operations. The Supplier is required to have the expertise in both national and international markets to identify suitable candidates to fill the roles of Head of School and above.

Renewal: The Framework shall be for a period of 1 year, subject to satisfactory annual review, with the option to extend the contract by up to a further 36 Months.

Lot 4: International Roles for Overseas Locations

This lot is for the search and selection of highly qualified candidates for both academic and professional services roles based in overseas locations. The Supplier is required to have the expertise in both national and international markets to identify suitable candidates to fill the roles based in overseas locations normally with a salary from PS45,349 per annum (for example, any international Queen's University campus).

Renewal: The Framework shall be for a period of 1 year, subject to satisfactory annual review, with the option to extend the contract by up to a further 36 Months.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-064968
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/059544-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK12 - Procurement Termination Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

CPV Codes

79600000 - Recruitment services

79630000 - Personnel services except placement and supply services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£4,362,500 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£4,362,500 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
24 Jun 20263 months ago
Submission Deadline
9 Mar 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Jun 2026 - 31 May 2027 6-12 months
Recurrence
2030-02-04

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Cancelled
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Queen's University Belfast
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
BELFAST
Postcode
BT7 1NN
Postcode Area
Northern Ireland
Country
Northern Ireland
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLN Northern Ireland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLN0 Northern Ireland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLN06 Belfast
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Belfast
Electoral Ward
Central
Westminster Constituency
Belfast South and Mid Down

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

JSON Markdown

The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts.

Loading OCDS record...