Planning

CSP25602 - Mediation and Investigation Services

UKRI

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

27 Mar 2026 at 15:04

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The United Kingdom Research and Innovation (UKRI) is undertaking a procurement process for mediation and investigation services, with UK Shared Business Services Ltd facilitating this initiative. The procurement, titled CSP25602 - Mediation and Investigation Services, falls under the services category and encompasses specialist training and legal advisory services. This process targets the development of three specific areas: Mediator Pool, Mediator Training, and Investigator Refresher Training. Initial planning stages are underway, with market engagement scheduled due date on 9th April 2026, providing interested parties the opportunity to participate in a non-competitive dialogue to assess market views and shape the tender requirements. The procurement will be conducted through a structured plan with a potential start date in June 2026.

This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses specialising in mediation and investigation services, particularly those with experience in employment and workplace dispute resolution. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSEs) are well-suited to participate, given the emphasis on scalability and professional standards. Businesses can leverage this procurement to showcase their capability in delivering legally robust mediation and training, thereby strengthening their market presence and enhancing growth prospects. Organisations accredited by recognised bodies such as the Civil Mediation Council or equivalent institutions are encouraged to engage, as UKRI seeks expertise that can ensure compliance with employment and equality legislation, thereby offering comprehensive support to transform workplace grievance procedures.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

CSP25602 - Mediation and Investigation Services

Notice Description

Procurement Description United Kingdom Research and Innovation (UKRI) will shortly publish a procurement to either appoint one or more suppliers to deliver mediation and investigation services under three Lots. The three are listed as follows: Lot 1 - Mediator Pool, Lot 2- Mediator Training, Lot 3 - Investigator Refresher Training. Lot 1 will run from 2026 to 2027, Lot 2 will run from 2027 to 2028 and Lot 3 will run from 2026 to 2027. At this stage UKRI have structured the procurement into the following three Lots however bidders are to note this structure is not guaranteed and subject to change. The structure will be informed by the responses received as part of this Market Engagement Questionnaire. UKRI are currently considering the following options: * Three individual Lots as described below * Combine Lot 1 and Lot 2 to form a single Lot * Combine all Lots into one singular requirement UKRI are seeking engagement with the market to better inform our requirements. Intrested suppliers are to refer to the Engagement section of this notice for further details on preliminary market engagement process being undertaken. Background The Raising Concerns project aims to create a safer, respectful workplace by harmonising policies and processes, introducing a single digital front door for reporting (launch April 2026), strengthening investigation and mediation capacity, expanding informal resolution options, and embedding cultural change through updated training and restorative practices. This will promote openness, accountability, and psychological safety while reducing harm and improving organisational resilience.Therefore, UKRI is transforming its complaints and grievance procedure, supported by a new digital front door. As part of this transformation, UKRI is strengthening its mediation and investigation capability to ensure concerns are handled fairly, consistently, proportionately, and in compliance with employment and equality legislation. Complaints and grievances may include: * Workplace disputes. * Allegations of bullying or harassment. * Discrimination and victimisation claims. * Whistleblowing concerns. * Senior-level or executive grievances. * High-sensitivity or reputationally significant matters. Aims and Objectives Lot 1 - Mediator Pool: UKRI's major initiative - Raising Concerns and the corresponding work processes and training will mainly focus on cases where line managers are unable resolve a work situation such as conflict or a grievance, it will be escalated through a revised formal and streamlined process. At this stage, mediation may be required and, in this respect, it is important that UKRI have access to a pool of trained and competent mediators in place to meet the potential demand.Therefore, the aim is to establish access to a high-quality, scalable panel of independent mediators with specialist expertise in employment and workplace dispute resolution who can support the organisation in resolving grievances, reducing litigation risk, and strengthening internal capability through knowledge transfer and training. Lot 2 - Mediator Training The aims of this Lot is for suppliers to demonstrate how they will: 1. Provide rapid access to skilled mediators 2. Deliver legally robust mediation 3. Support early resolution and risk reduction 4. Embed skills transfer and capability building 5. Ensure consistency and professional standards 6. Operate with independence and impartiality Lot 3 - Investigator Refresher Training The aim is to strengthen organisation investigative capability through targeted refresher training for existing investigators able to manage complex sensitive, or high-risk employment grievance investigations. Suppliers responding to the investigator refresher training Lot shall demonstrate how they will: 1. Enhance investigator competence 2. Support newly qualified/inexperienced investigators 3. Strengthen legal and procedural robustness 4. Promote consistency, fairness and credibility Any suppliers would need to demonstrate and provide assurance that they have the professional expertise, experience, qualification, accreditation and certification required. Recognised accreditation bodies include CMC (Civil Mediation Council), International Mediation Institute, Universities or other equivalent professional accreditation bodies.

Planning Information

The purpose of this Preliminary Market Engagement Notice is to assess the market's appetite, concerns and views on the formulation of the requirements. Please contact Coreservices@uksbs.co.uk for the attention of Lucy Walters with the title CSP25602 - Mediation and Investigation Services for UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) for the draft specification and a copy of the market engagement questionnaire. If you are interested in the requirement after reviewing the draft specification and can provide the services required, please email corservices@uksbs.co.uk for the attention of Lucy Walters with the title CSP25602 - Mediation and Investigation Services for UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) no later than Thursday 9th April 2026 at 2:00pm. By registering your interest and providing information you will be entering into non-competitive dialogue which will enable the Contracting Authority to develop and assess the market's appetite, concerns and view of the formulation of its requirements. The Contracting Authority may consider the information and responses received as part of the preliminary market consultant to help inform the specification and further decision making in relation to the planning and conduct of the proposed procurement, ensuring all valid options are considered. Any information supplied as part of preliminary market consultation shall not place any supplier at an advantage in a potential procurement process. Please note this is a draft specification and is subject to change.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0676ce
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/028635-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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

80 - Education and training services

CPV Codes

79140000 - Legal advisory and information services

80510000 - Specialist training services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£78,000 Under £100K
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
27 Mar 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
24 Apr 20263 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
3 Jun 2026 - 3 Jun 2028 2-3 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
UKRI
Additional Buyers

UK SHARED BUSINESS SERVICES LTD

Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
SWINDON
Postcode
SN2 1FL
Post Town
Swindon
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK7 Gloucestershire and Wiltshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK71 Swindon
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Swindon
Electoral Ward
Rodbourne Cheney
Westminster Constituency
Swindon North

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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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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