Award

Recruitment of Agency Staff

ROYAL BERKSHIRE FIRE AUTHORITY

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

21 May 2026 at 10:47

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Royal Berkshire Fire Authority has completed a procurement process under the title "Recruitment of Agency Staff" to secure recruitment services. This procurement falls into the services industry category and took place in Reading, United Kingdom, specifically within the UKJ11 region. The process reached the award and contract stages, with the contract being signed on 21 May 2026 and set to end on 1 February 2027. The procurement method used was direct, classified as below threshold - without competition. This method facilitated a swift appointment process following unsuccessful open recruitment efforts for roles such as Assistant Accountant, Procurement Assistant, and Business Support Officer due to time pressures and the need to maintain service continuity.

This tender represents a significant opportunity for businesses in the recruitment services sector, specifically those offering agency staff solutions, such as SMEs experienced in sub-central government work. The procurement exercise highlights the demand for quick and effective staffing solutions, emphasizing the need for service providers who can deliver competent candidates on short notice. Companies like WADE MACDONALD LIMITED, who have demonstrated capability in supplying required staff promptly, are well-positioned to benefit from such opportunities. Engaging in contracts with public authorities not only enhances business growth potential through increasing client base and revenue but also strengthens reputation and experience in serving governmental organisations.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Recruitment of Agency Staff

Notice Description

Waivers were drafted for the recruitment of roles within Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service. Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS) advertised for the post of Assistant Accountant; however, it did not produce the required result. The Authority needed to move things along quickly, so Human Resources (HR) recommended Wade MacDonald as an option. They have done some other recruiting for the Authority, and how they could be used for this recruitment of 2 assistant accountants. They were able to provide CVs and contacts for us that have resulted in a very rapid and successful appointment of the two Assistant Accountant positions. Wade MacDonald, as an agency, charges a fee for their work, and it is the price we need to pay to get the staff that the Authority needs. An additional role of Procurement Assistant was added. This is after a previous Trainee left the organisation, so a replacement was required to handle the workload of Procurement. This is to provide efficiency and time from advertising externally, and to use resources wisely by going with Wade MacDonald. Open recruitment for the Assistant Accountant posts was unsuccessful, showing limited effective competition in the current market. HR therefore engaged Wade MacDonald, who has previously delivered suitable candidates. Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS) advertised for the post of Business Support Officer; however, the recruitment exercise did not deliver a suitable outcome. Due to operational time pressures, the Authority needed to progress the appointment promptly, and Human Resources (HR) therefore recommended Wade MacDonald as a suitable option. Wade MacDonald has been used previously by the Authority to meet similar resourcing requirements within the Service. As an employment agency, Wade MacDonald applies a charge for its services, which represents the cost of securing the required staff to meet the Authority's needs. The Authority needed an urgent Business Support Officer cover until a temporary post is advertised. The emergency requirements for continuation of service are brought about by events that could not have reasonably been foreseen, following the departure of a previous officer. The Authority has approved two waivers with a cumulative waiver value of PS28,875.12.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-069ee3
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/046971-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Below threshold - without competition
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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

CPV Codes

79600000 - Recruitment services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£28,575 Under £100K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
21 May 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
20 May 20262 weeks ago
Contract Period
20 May 2026 - 1 Feb 2027 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
ROYAL BERKSHIRE FIRE 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
READING
Postcode
RG31 7SD
Post Town
Reading
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ1 Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ16 Berkshire West
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
West Berkshire
Electoral Ward
Tilehurst Birch Copse
Westminster Constituency
Reading West and Mid Berkshire

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

WADE MACDONALD

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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