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ID 6194064 - DfE Invest NI - Economics Services Framework Agreement

Invest Northern Ireland

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

10 Sep 2026 at 17:25

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Award

07 Aug 2026 at 11:29

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Tender

08 Apr 2026 at 13:22

UK4 - Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Invest Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland’s economic development agency, established a framework for economic and business consultancy services supporting its work to grow the local economy, help businesses compete internationally and attract investment. The scope is divided into three service areas: economic advice for casework; preparation and evaluation of business cases; and post-project evaluations. The work covers economic impact assessment, business and management consultancy, financial management consultancy and evaluation consultancy. Services are delivered in Northern Ireland. The buying organisation is Invest Northern Ireland, with procurement managed centrally by CPD – Supplies and Services Division. The framework is intended for suppliers that can provide evidence-based economic advice, business case development and evaluation support for public-sector economic development activity.

The procurement is complete and has been awarded through an open procedure. Three lots were awarded on 6 August 2026. Lot 1, Economic Advice for Casework, was awarded to Cogent Management Consulting, Pragmatix Advisory, Ernst & Young, ChamberlainWalker Economics and Grant Thornton NI for £300,000 net (£360,000 gross). Lot 2, Business Cases and Evaluations, was awarded to LMK Advisory, Cogent Management Consulting, OCO Global, SQW, GC Insight, Economic Research Services trading as Fortia Insight, ChamberlainWalker Economics, Metro Dynamics and AMION Consulting for £1.5m net (£1.8m gross). Lot 3, Post Project Evaluations, was awarded to Cogent Management Consulting, Logica Consultancy, Ernst & Young, Economic Research Services trading as Fortia Insight and AMION Consulting for £150,000 net (£180,000 gross). Contracts were signed on 27 August 2026, run from 28 August 2026 to 27 August 2028, and may be extended to 27 August 2030. Each lot was evaluated 70% on quality and 30% on price, with methodology, team experience and qualifications assessed.

This framework shows sustained demand from Invest Northern Ireland for specialist economic development advice rather than general management consultancy. A credible competitor would need demonstrable expertise in economic impact assessment, casework advice, business case preparation, programme and project evaluation, post-project evaluation and financial management. The assessed team would need relevant qualifications and experience, with a clear methodology capable of producing robust, evidence-based analysis for public-sector decisions. The three routes to work are commercially distinct: casework and post-project assignments use ranked supplier panels, while business cases and evaluations are competed among the appointed suppliers. The appointed field includes both SMEs and large professional-services firms, indicating that focused specialists can compete alongside larger organisations. Suppliers with Northern Ireland economic knowledge, strong evaluation methods and capacity to respond to commissioned assignments would be well placed when this requirement returns.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

ID 6194064 - DfE Invest NI - Economics Services Framework Agreement

Notice Description

Invest Northern Ireland (Invest NI) is Northern Ireland's economic development agency, sponsored by the Department for the Economy. Invest NI's role is to grow the local economy by helping new and existing businesses to compete internationally and by attracting new investment to Northern Ireland. Invest NI have established an Economic Services Framework Agreement to cover Economic Advice for Casework, Business Case and Evaluation Support and Post project Evaluations. The Framework will operate from the date of award for a period of 2 years with one option to extend for any period up to and including 24 months.

Lot Information

Economic Advice for Casework

Renewal: Following the initial contract period, there is 1 potential extension period of up to 24 months. This optional extension period will be subject to review and satisfactory performance assessment by the Contracting Authority.

Business Cases and Evaluations

Renewal: Following the initial contract period, there is 1 potential extension period of up to 24 months. This optional extension period will be subject to review and satisfactory performance assessment by the Contracting Authority.

Post Project Evaluations

Renewal: Following the initial contract period, there is 1 potential extension period of up to 24 months. This optional extension period will be subject to review and satisfactory performance assessment by the Contracting Authority.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-067df7
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/086137-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Large, SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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

CPV Codes

79311410 - Economic impact assessment

79400000 - Business and management consultancy and related services

79410000 - Business and management consultancy services

79412000 - Financial management consultancy services

79419000 - Evaluation consultancy services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£2,000,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£1,950,000 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
£1,950,000 £1M-£10M
Contracts Value
£1,950,000 £1M-£10M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
10 Sep 20263 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
12 May 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
6 Aug 20262 months ago
Contract Period
28 Aug 2026 - 27 Aug 2028 2-3 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Invest Northern Ireland
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
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
TLN Northern Ireland
Local Authority
Belfast
Electoral Ward
Central
Westminster Constituency
Belfast South and Mid Down

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
13
Supplier Names

COGENT MANAGEMENT CONSULTING LLP

PRAGMATIX ADVISORY LIMITED

Ernst & Young LLP

ChamberlainWalker Economics

GRANT THORNTON NI LLP

LMK ADVISORY LTD

OCO Global

SQW Limited

GC Insight Ltd

Economic Research Services Limited

Metro Dynamics

AMION Consulting Limited

Logica Consultancy

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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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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