Planning

Preliminary Market Engagement Counselling Services

ULSTER UNIVERSITY

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

PlanningUpdate

01 May 2026 at 14:07

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

01 May 2026 at 13:51

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Ulster University is in the planning stage for a procurement process involving the provision of student and employee counselling services. The university, located in Coleraine, United Kingdom, is conducting a Preliminary Market Engagement (PME) to gather information and inform its strategy for this procurement. This process is related to the industry category of counselling services and is governed by Northern Irish devolved regulations. Key dates include a deadline for the expression of interest on 28th May 2026, with the possibility of a future tender notice by 1st July 2026. The anticipated contract period is from January 2027 to January 2030, with potential extensions until January 2033.

This tender offers substantial opportunities for service providers in the mental health and counselling sectors to expand their clientele, particularly those enterprises capable of supporting academic institutions. Ideal candidates would be providers of comprehensive mental health, wellbeing, and counselling services aimed at both students and employees. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are particularly encouraged, considering their suitability for the proposed lots. By engaging in this PME, businesses can potentially position themselves for a significant contractual relationship with Ulster University, thus enhancing their operational footprint and growth within the public sector.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Preliminary Market Engagement Counselling Services

Notice Description

Ulster University will potentially seek to tender for the provision of student/employee counselling services. Ulster University wishes to procure an external student/employee counselling provider to supplement existing sources of internal wellbeing, mental health, disability and financial support to students through our Student and Employee Wellbeing teams across our Belfast, Derry-Londonderry and Coleraine campuses.

Planning Information

The purpose of this Preliminary Market Engagement Notice (PME) and Request for Information (RFI) is to invite potential Service Providers to express an interest and provide information to assist with the procurement and development of a specification for Counselling Services at Ulster University. The procurement route, duration and type of contract(s) shall be determined following this preliminary market consultation and engagement with market participants. It is this PME which will help to inform the University's strategy for this contract. It is important to note that this PME/RFI is not a call for competition, a pre-qualification questionnaire, part of any pre-qualification/selection process or a current tender opportunity. Potential providers will need to express an interest in any future tender opportunity once a Tender Notice is published. This RFI is intended as an awareness, communication, and information gathering exercise. An expression of interest is no indication of a commitment to participate in the RFI process, nor does it infer any preferential or special status on those individuals and organisations who express an interest in the RFI exercise. The RFI Questionnaire can be accessed by registering with eTendersNI (www.etendersni.gov.uk) and searching for the relevant CfT_6522356.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06907f
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/040642-2026
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
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

85 - Health and social work services

CPV Codes

85312320 - Counselling services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£1,200,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
1 May 2026Yesterday
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
1 Jul 20262 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Jan 2027 - 1 Jan 2030 3-4 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
ULSTER UNIVERSITY
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
COLERAINE
Postcode
BT52 1SA
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)
TLN0C Causeway Coast and Glens
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Causeway Coast and Glens
Electoral Ward
University
Westminster Constituency
East Londonderry

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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