Planning

DFC - Commercial Services Branch - DfC Strategic Partnership Framework - Pre-Market Engagement

DEPARTMENT FOR COMMUNITIES

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

01 Jun 2026 at 14:44

Summary of the contracting process

The Department for Communities (DfC) based in Belfast, United Kingdom, is currently in the planning stage of a procurement process for a Strategic Partner Framework aimed at delivering Professional Services. The framework aims to support DfC and participating Arm's Length Bodies (ALBs) by providing consultancy where in-house capabilities are insufficient, with a focus on strategic priorities. The competition is set within the services industry category, including IT and business consultancy services. Key dates include an engagement questionnaire deadline by 15:00 on 22 June 2026, and the procurement framework is expected to commence on 24 August 2026, lasting until 23 August 2028. The planned procurement will support strategic delivery through defined work packages and aims to establish a single supplier agreement.

This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses specialising in consultancy services across various disciplines, such as IT, business management, and financial consultancy. Organizations well-suited for this procurement are those with strong expertise in consultancy and professional services, capable of providing comprehensive support to public bodies. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are particularly encouraged to participate in this framework, which promotes business growth by offering access to public sector work valued at potentially £5-6 million. The project not only includes substantial budgetary allocation but also the possibility of renewal and extension, thus promising long-term opportunities for successful bidders.

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Notice Title

DFC - Commercial Services Branch - DfC Strategic Partnership Framework - Pre-Market Engagement

Notice Description

Construction and Procurement Delivery (CPD) is undertaking this Pre Market Engagement (PME) exercise on behalf of DFC, and are inviting suppliers who may have an interest in this competition. The Department for Communities (DfC), is seeking to establish a single supplier Strategic Partner Framework Agreement for the provision of Professional Services to DfC and participating Arm's Length Bodies (ALBs). The successful Supplier shall be responsible for managing and delivering Professional Services in accordance with the Framework Agreement, this Specification and the associated Contract Documents. In order to support delivery of its strategic objectives, DfC and participating ALBs (the Buyer) require access to specialist Professional Services where in house capability or capacity is not available or appropriate. This will be in the form of consultancy support or other professional services, including staff substitution. The Buyer therefore proposes to establish a single supplier Strategic Partner Framework Agreement to support delivery of strategic priorities through defined Work Packages.

Planning Information

The Questionnaire can be located within the Tender documents area in eTendersNI. Interested Suppliers should download the questionnaire, complete and upload into the messaging function within eTendersNI by 3pm Monday 22 June 2026. Any clarifications can also be submitted using the messaging function before the closing date. The questionnaire must be completed and submitted via eTendersNI by the engagement deadline date and time detailed above. Details of additional participating bodies can be found detailed within the questionnaire document.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06aa9f
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/051513-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
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

66 - Financial and insurance services

70 - Real estate services

72 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

75 - Administration, defence and social security services

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

92 - Recreational, cultural and sporting services


CPV Codes

66000000 - Financial and insurance services

66170000 - Financial consultancy, financial transaction processing and clearing-house services

70000000 - Real estate services

70331000 - Residential property services

70332000 - Non-residential property services

70332200 - Commercial property management services

72000000 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

72212482 - Business intelligence software development services

72220000 - Systems and technical consultancy services

72221000 - Business analysis consultancy services

72223000 - Information technology requirements review services

72224000 - Project management consultancy services

72224100 - System implementation planning services

72227000 - Software integration consultancy services

72266000 - Software consultancy services

72500000 - Computer-related services

72600000 - Computer support and consultancy services

72800000 - Computer audit and testing services

75111200 - Legislative services

75300000 - Compulsory social security services

79140000 - Legal advisory and information services

79300000 - Market and economic research; polling and statistics

79310000 - Market research services

79400000 - Business and management consultancy and related services

79410000 - Business and management consultancy services

79411000 - General management consultancy services

79411100 - Business development consultancy services

79412000 - Financial management consultancy services

79900000 - Miscellaneous business and business-related services

92000000 - Recreational, cultural and sporting services

92500000 - Library, archives, museums and other cultural services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£5,000,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
1 Jun 20263 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
27 Jul 20262 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
23 Aug 2026 - 23 Aug 2028 2-3 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
DEPARTMENT FOR COMMUNITIES
Additional Buyers

CPD - SUPPLIES & SERVICES DIVISION

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 7EG
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)
TLN06 Belfast
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Belfast
Electoral Ward
Sydenham
Westminster Constituency
Belfast East

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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