Notice Information
Notice Title
ID 6274755 - DFE - Invest NI - Technical Advisory - PRE-MARKET ENGAGEMENT
Notice Description
Invest Northern Ireland's Innovation, Research & Development Division (IR&DD) is preparing to retender its R&D Technical Advisory Framework and want to understand what would help make the tender process accessible, proportionate and attractive to potential suppliers. IR&DD supports local organisations to develop and commercialise innovative products, processes and services that contribute to Northern Ireland's economic growth. We achieve this by providing grant funding, specialist guidance, and connections to research partners through programmes such as Grant for R&D and Proof of Concept. As part of the assessment process for R&D funding applications, a technical appraisal is required to determine project suitability. These appraisals are carried out either by our internal Technology Executives or with the support of external independent advisors with the relevant technical expertise. External advisors are typically engaged for projects seeking more than PS1m of support or where the work involves applied research at lower Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs). Consultants may also be asked to complete technical reviews at key points during the project i.e., midway and at the end of the project. For the next framework period, Invest NI also intend to include the option for independent advisors to support Post Project Evaluations (PPEs), conducted 3-5 years after project completion. These evaluations assess outcomes, benefits, lessons learned and the counterfactual-what would have occurred in the absence of funding. To deliver these commitments, IR&DD operates a four year framework of independent consultants. Our current framework expires in November 2026, and we are preparing to procure a new framework to run from November 2026 to November 2030. If you are interested in providing these services to Invest NI, we would appreciate your feedback to help us shape the new framework. Depending on the volume of responses we may also arrange follow-up discussions. If you wish to participate in the Contracting Authority's (Invest NI) Preliminary Market Engagement for this requirement, a questionnaire for completion is available via the following Link (please copy and paste this to your browser for access): https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/invest-ni-technical-advisory-framework/ The questionnaire must be completed and submitted via this link by the engagement deadline of 09/04/2026
Planning Information
If you wish to participate in the Contracting Authority's (Invest NI) Preliminary Market Engagement for this requirement, a questionnaire for completion is available via the following Link (please copy and paste this into your browser for access): https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/invest-ni-technical-advisory-framework/ The questionnaire must be completed and submitted via this link by the engagement deadline date and time detailed above.
Notice Details
Publication & Lifecycle
- Open Contracting ID
- ocds-h6vhtk-067365
- Publication Source
- Find A Tender Service
- Latest Notice
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/027097-2026
- Current Stage
- Planning
- All Stages
- Planning
Procurement Classification
- Notice Type
- UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
- Procurement Type
- Framework
- Procurement Category
- Services
- Procurement Method
- Not Specified
- Procurement Method Details
- Not specified
- Tender Suitability
- SME
- Awardee Scale
- Not specified
Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)
- CPV Divisions
73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services
79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security
-
- CPV Codes
73000000 - Research and development services and related consultancy services
73110000 - Research services
73200000 - Research and development consultancy services
73210000 - Research consultancy services
79000000 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security
79400000 - Business and management consultancy and related services
Notice Value(s)
- Tender Value
- Not specified
- Lots Value
- Not specified
- Awards Value
- Not specified
- Contracts Value
- Not specified
Notice Dates
- Publication Date
- 25 Mar 20261 weeks ago
- Submission Deadline
- Not specified
- Future Notice Date
- 1 Nov 20268 months to go
- Award Date
- Not specified
- Contract Period
- 15 Nov 2026 - 14 Nov 2030 4-5 years
- Recurrence
- Not specified
Notice Status
- Tender Status
- Planning
- Lots Status
- Planning
- Awards Status
- Not Specified
- Contracts Status
- Not Specified
Buyer & Supplier
Contracting Authority (Buyer)
- Main Buyer
- INVEST NORTHERN IRELAND
- Additional Buyers
- 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
- BT2 7ES
- Post Town
- 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
- TLN Northern Ireland
-
- Local Authority
- Belfast
- Electoral Ward
- Sydenham
- Westminster Constituency
- Belfast East
Further Information
Notice Documents
-
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/027097-2026
25th March 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)
View full OCDS Record for this contracting process
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.
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