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Provision of Corporate Financial Services for South Downs National Park Authority

South Downs National Park Authority

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Tender

29 Jul 2026 at 14:16

UK4 - Tender Notice
Planning

28 Apr 2026 at 14:03

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

South Downs National Park Authority is seeking a provider of corporate financial services for the Authority. The requirement covers financial and insurance services, with delivery for the South Downs National Park Authority in South East England. The appointed provider will support the Authority’s corporate finance functions and may also support a future subsidiary company if one is established. Potential subsidiary support includes separate accounting records, budgeting, management reporting, payroll, banking, statutory reporting, group accounts, cash-flow management, legal compliance and governance. The provider may also be asked to support increased activity in existing services. This is a services procurement rather than a supply or construction opportunity, and is likely to suit accountancy, outsourced finance and corporate financial services businesses.

The process has reached tender: the Authority invited offers through an open procedure. Bids were due by 14 September 2026 at 1pm, with the award decision due by 14 October 2026. The contract is planned to run from 1 April 2027 to 31 March 2030, with extensions available up to 31 March 2033, either as one period or successive 12-month periods. The estimated value is £2.75 million excluding VAT, or £3.3 million including VAT. Evaluation is based on approach and methodology (35%), price (30%), resourcing (20%), sustainability (5%), social value (5%) and onboarding (5%). Electronic submission in English was allowed through the Authority’s e-tendering portal.

This opportunity suits established corporate finance providers, accountancy practices and outsourced finance specialists able to deliver a broad range of services for a public authority. Relevant capability includes maintaining accurate accounting records, preparing budgets and management reports, operating payroll and banking arrangements, and completing statutory reporting. Suppliers should be able to demonstrate strong internal controls, delegated authorities, audit arrangements, intercompany procedures, cash-flow management, legal compliance and effective governance. Experience of setting up or supporting subsidiary companies and producing group accounts would be particularly relevant, as would the capacity to scale existing services if activity increases. The procurement is identified as suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises, so it may also suit a capable specialist or a consortium with the necessary combined resources.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Provision of Corporate Financial Services for South Downs National Park Authority

Notice Description

South Downs National Park Authority (SDNPA) is carrying out a tendering exercise to appoint a service provider to carry out corporate financial services for an initial 3 year period, with the option to extend for up to 3 further years.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Options: Option one: During the contract, it is possible that SDNPA may decide to set up a subsidiary company. Should this happen, the Financial Service provider would need to implement separate accounting records, budgeting, management reporting, payroll, banking and statutory reporting arrangements. Strong internal controls, delegated authorities, audit arrangements, and procedures for intercompany transactions would also be required. The provider would need to support the subsidiary by providing accurate financial information, ensuring legal compliance, managing cash flow and maintaining effective governance. Depending on the nature of the business, some of these systems may not be required. For example, if the subsidiary does not employ staff directly, there may be no need for a separate payroll function. The service provider would also need to generate group accounts under these circumstances. Option two: Increased activity for existing services.

Renewal: The Authority may extend the Contract Period by up to three further years from 1 April 2030, by notice(s) from the Authority to the Service Provider specifying the revised end date. The extension(s) may be by a single period or successive periods of twelve months, and a maximum extension shall be to 31 March 2033.

Planning Information

SDNPA is conducting preliminary market engagement with service providers to understand market capabilities and understand possible approaches and associated risks, using a market engagement questionnaire. This is an open engagement exercise in which any potential providers can participate. A background document, draft outline specification and the questionnaire can be obtained by emailing tenders@southdowns.gov.uk The deadline for completed questionnaires is close of play on Monday 18 May 2026. For the avoidance of doubt, this exercise does not constitute a call for competition to procure any services, suppliers or works for SDNPA and the Authority is not committing to carrying out such a process. Participation or non-particiation in the pre-procurement market engagement process shall not prevent any supplier participating in a potential future procurement, nor is it intended that any information supplied as part of the pre-procurement process shall place any supplier at an advantage in a potential procurement process. Participation in the pre-procurement market engagement procurement process will be at each supplier's own cost. No expense in responding to this process will be reimbursed by the SDNPA.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-068cdd
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/071743-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Planning, Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

66 - Financial and insurance services

CPV Codes

66000000 - Financial and insurance services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£2,750,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£2,750,000 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
29 Jul 20264 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
14 Sep 20263 weeks to go
Future Notice Date
18 May 2026Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Apr 2027 - 31 Mar 2030 3-4 years
Recurrence
2032-07-01

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Active
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
South Downs National Park Authority
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
MIDHURST
Postcode
GU29 9DH
Postcode Area
Guildford
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ2 Surrey, East and West Sussex
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ27 West Sussex (South West)
Delivery Location
TLJ South East (England)
Local Authority
Chichester
Electoral Ward
Midhurst
Westminster Constituency
Arundel and South Downs

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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