Planning

Ask AI

Ask AI about this notice

Summarise, research or assess it with AI

Open in ChatGPT
OpenAI's assistant
Open in Claude
Anthropic's assistant
Open in Perplexity
Answer engine, cites sources
Open in Google AI Mode
Google's AI search
View Markdown
Share

Share this notice

Send this contract to a colleague

Email
Send a link by email
WhatsApp
Share in a WhatsApp chat
LinkedIn
Post to your network
Microsoft Teams
Share to a Teams chat

Audit and Assurance Services

KENT COUNTY COUNCIL TRADING AS PROCUREMENT SERVICES

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

23 Jun 2026 at 12:30

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Kent County Council, operating as Procurement Services, is in the planning stage of creating a framework for "Audit and Assurance Services." This engagement, classified under public authority - sub-central government, is targeted at the West Malling area in the United Kingdom. The procurement process aims to gather supplier feedback to ensure robust industry standards are met. This initiative falls under the services category with the procurement scheduled to start on 1st May 2027 and end on 30th April 2031, boasting a substantial value of £600,000,000 gross. Key dates include a milestone for market engagement scheduled by 1st July 2026, at 11:59 PM, designed to refine the tender specifications before competition is officially called.

This tender opportunity can offer significant growth potential for businesses in the audit and assurance sector, particularly those experienced in computer audit, financial auditing, and internal audit services. The engagement phase serves as an excellent platform for suppliers to influence the structure of the upcoming framework and improve their chances of securing a position on the framework. Innovative and capable suppliers who can provide feedback at this stage and adapt to public sector requirements will be well-positioned to succeed in this competitive marketplace. The framework is designed to facilitate a fair competition, engaging a wide range of businesses, thereby enhancing service delivery outcomes across the public sector.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Audit and Assurance Services

Notice Description

Procurement Services are looking to create a local and national framework for the provision of Audit and Assurance Services. This questionnaire is designed to understand supplier experiences, challenges, and expectations regarding Audit and Assurance frameworks. Your responses will help us design a framework that meets the needs of suppliers and customers to improve the procurement and delivery experience for Audit and Assurance services across all areas within the Public Sector. Scope and Lot structure is still to be determined, but the aim is to design a framework for the provision of all Audit and Assurance Services required within the Public Sector. PLEASE NOTE THIS PRE-MARKET ENGAGEMENT ONLY - THIS IS NOT A CALL FOR COMPETITION AT THIS STAGE. For more information about this opportunity, please visit the eSourcing portal at: https://csg.delta-esourcing.com/tenders/UK-UK-West-Malling:-Computer-audit-services./E5X74485Z6 To respond to this opportunity, please click here: https://csg.delta-esourcing.com/respond/E5X74485Z6

Planning Information

The purpose of this engagement is to: Understand whether the market can meet our requirements and identify any constraints or opportunities. Gather supplier feedback to ensure specifications are realistic, achievable, and aligned with industry standards. Use insights to determine the most appropriate route to market, contract structure, and commercial model. Provide early visibility of the opportunity to a broad supplier base, supporting fair and open competition. Identify potential risks and innovative solutions early, reducing the likelihood of delays or poor delivery post-award. By engaging with the market at an early stage, we will improve the quality of our tender documents, attract a wider pool of capable suppliers, and ultimately deliver better value for money and service outcomes.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06bb17
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/058958-2026
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
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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

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

CPV Codes

72810000 - Computer audit services

79212000 - Auditing services

79212100 - Financial auditing services

79212200 - Internal audit services

79212400 - Fraud audit services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£500,000,000 £100M-£1B
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
23 Jun 2026Yesterday
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
1 Jul 20266 days to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
30 Apr 2027 - 30 Apr 2031 4-5 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
KENT COUNTY COUNCIL TRADING AS PROCUREMENT SERVICES
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
WEST MALLING
Postcode
ME19 4YT
Post Town
Rochester
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ4 Kent
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ46 West Kent
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Tonbridge and Malling
Electoral Ward
Kings Hill
Westminster Constituency
Maidstone and Malling

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

JSON Markdown

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. 

{
    "tag": [
        "compiled"
    ],
    "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-06bb17-2026-06-23T13:30:40+01:00",
    "date": "2026-06-23T13:30:40+01:00",
    "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-06bb17",
    "initiationType": "tender",
    "parties": [
        {
            "id": "GB-PPON-PYCX-4938-CCHM",
            "name": "Kent County Council trading as Procurement Services",
            "identifier": {
                "scheme": "GB-PPON",
                "id": "PYCX-4938-CCHM"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "1 Abbey Wood Road, Kings Hill",
                "locality": "West Malling",
                "postalCode": "ME19 4YT",
                "country": "GB",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom",
                "region": "UKJ46"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "name": "Vicky Walsh",
                "email": "Vicky.Walsh@csltd.org.uk"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer"
            ],
            "details": {
                "classifications": [
                    {
                        "id": "publicAuthoritySubCentralGovernment",
                        "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE",
                        "description": "Public authority - sub-central government"
                    }
                ]
            }
        }
    ],
    "buyer": {
        "id": "GB-PPON-PYCX-4938-CCHM",
        "name": "Kent County Council trading as Procurement Services"
    },
    "planning": {
        "milestones": [
            {
                "id": "engagement",
                "type": "engagement",
                "description": "The purpose of this engagement is to: Understand whether the market can meet our requirements and identify any constraints or opportunities. Gather supplier feedback to ensure specifications are realistic, achievable, and aligned with industry standards. Use insights to determine the most appropriate route to market, contract structure, and commercial model. Provide early visibility of the opportunity to a broad supplier base, supporting fair and open competition. Identify potential risks and innovative solutions early, reducing the likelihood of delays or poor delivery post-award. By engaging with the market at an early stage, we will improve the quality of our tender documents, attract a wider pool of capable suppliers, and ultimately deliver better value for money and service outcomes.",
                "dueDate": "2026-07-01T23:59:59+01:00",
                "status": "scheduled"
            }
        ],
        "documents": [
            {
                "id": "058958-2026",
                "documentType": "marketEngagementNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK2",
                "description": "Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/058958-2026",
                "datePublished": "2026-06-23T13:30:40+01:00",
                "format": "text/html"
            }
        ]
    },
    "tender": {
        "id": "Y26029",
        "legalBasis": {
            "id": "2023/54",
            "scheme": "UKPGA",
            "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents"
        },
        "title": "Audit and Assurance Services",
        "description": "Procurement Services are looking to create a local and national framework for the provision of Audit and Assurance Services. This questionnaire is designed to understand supplier experiences, challenges, and expectations regarding Audit and Assurance frameworks. Your responses will help us design a framework that meets the needs of suppliers and customers to improve the procurement and delivery experience for Audit and Assurance services across all areas within the Public Sector. Scope and Lot structure is still to be determined, but the aim is to design a framework for the provision of all Audit and Assurance Services required within the Public Sector. PLEASE NOTE THIS PRE-MARKET ENGAGEMENT ONLY - THIS IS NOT A CALL FOR COMPETITION AT THIS STAGE. For more information about this opportunity, please visit the eSourcing portal at: https://csg.delta-esourcing.com/tenders/UK-UK-West-Malling:-Computer-audit-services./E5X74485Z6 To respond to this opportunity, please click here: https://csg.delta-esourcing.com/respond/E5X74485Z6",
        "items": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "additionalClassifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "72810000",
                        "description": "Computer audit services"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "79212000",
                        "description": "Auditing services"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "79212100",
                        "description": "Financial auditing services"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "79212200",
                        "description": "Internal audit services"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "79212400",
                        "description": "Fraud audit services"
                    }
                ],
                "relatedLot": "1"
            }
        ],
        "value": {
            "amountGross": 600000000,
            "amount": 500000000,
            "currency": "GBP"
        },
        "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
        "aboveThreshold": true,
        "techniques": {
            "hasFrameworkAgreement": true
        },
        "lots": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "contractPeriod": {
                    "startDate": "2027-05-01T00:00:00+01:00",
                    "endDate": "2031-04-30T23:59:59+01:00"
                },
                "status": "planning"
            }
        ],
        "status": "planning"
    },
    "language": "en"
}