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Framework Agreement for the Provision of Grant Audit and Assurance Services

THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

28 Jul 2026 at 15:04

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The University of Birmingham plans to establish a framework for independent grant audit and assurance services for research and other externally funded projects. The work will cover audits, certifications, agreed-upon procedures, independent audit reports, factual-finding reports, audit opinions and other assurance reports required by grant agreements or funding bodies. Expected funding sources include European Commission programmes such as Horizon Europe, the United Nations, UK Research and Innovation, Innovate UK, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, US federal agencies, charitable foundations and other UK and international funders. Services will be delivered for the University’s projects in Birmingham. This is an accounting and auditing services requirement, classified under CPV 79210000, and is intended to operate through a framework agreement.

The process is at planning stage and is not yet an invitation to tender. The University expects to shortlist suppliers through preliminary market engagement, based on submitted capability assessments, before inviting shortlisted suppliers to a subsequent tender. The planned engagement assessment is due by 11 August 2026, and the University envisions publishing the tender on 17 August 2026, subject to change. The framework is expected to run from 1 November 2026 to 31 October 2028, with renewal provisions allowing activity to continue until 31 October 2030. Its estimated value is £208,333.33 excluding VAT, or £250,000 including VAT. Services will be required on an ad hoc basis, with funder-specific reporting and submission requirements.

This will suit audit, accountancy and assurance providers with demonstrable experience of grant-funded research and other externally funded projects. Suppliers should be able to work independently and deliver audits, certifications, agreed-upon procedures, audit opinions and factual-finding reports in the formats required by different funders. Relevant experience across European Commission programmes, Horizon Europe, UK Research and Innovation, Innovate UK, United Nations, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, US federal agencies, charitable foundations or other international funding bodies will be useful. The work demands the capacity to respond on an ad hoc basis and meet varied funder reporting and submission deadlines. Small and medium-sized enterprises are identified as suitable for the requirement. The buyer is seeking suitably qualified and experienced suppliers.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Framework Agreement for the Provision of Grant Audit and Assurance Services

Notice Description

The University of Birmingham is seeking to appoint a suitably qualified and experienced supplier to provide independent grant audit and assurance services in respect of research and other externally funded projects. The appointed supplier will undertake audits, certifications and agreed-upon procedures in accordance with the requirements of individual funding bodies and the relevant grant agreements. Services will be required on an ad hoc basis throughout the contract period and suppliers must be capable of meeting funder-specific reporting and submission deadlines. The supplier shall provide independent assurance services relating to grants and externally funded projects, including but not limited to, funding from: * European Commission programmes, including Horizon Europe; * United Nations (UN); * UK Research and Innovation (UKRI); * Innovate UK; * Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO); * U.S Federal agencies; * Charitable foundations and * Other UK and international funding bodies. Services may include the following as required: * Independent audit reports; * Reports of factual findings; * Audit opinions; * Certifications and other assurance reports required under the applicable funding agreement or by the relevant funding body.

Planning Information

The University is requesting expressions of interest in relation to this opportunity. Interested parties shall follow the steps outlined below: 1. Register for the University's InTend platform (https://in-tendhost.co.uk/universityofbirmingham/aspx/Home) if not already registered. 2. Express interest against the tender opportunity entitled 'Framework Agreement for the Provision of Grant Audit and Assurance Services.' This can be accessed through the 'Tenders' tab and selecting the 'Current' option. 3. Submit a capability assessment using the template provided via the InTend platform. Completed capability assessments should be sent via the Correspondence function on the portal. The University shall review capability assessments submitted in order to establish a shortlist of suppliers to invite to tender. It is envisioned that the subsequent tender will be published on 17th August although this is subject to change. Note: The University is a Non-Contracting Authority.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06d575
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/071306-2026
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

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

CPV Codes

79210000 - Accounting and auditing services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£208,333 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
28 Jul 20262 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Nov 2026 - 31 Oct 2028 2-3 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
THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
BIRMINGHAM
Postcode
B15 2TT
Postcode Area
Birmingham
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLG West Midlands (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLG3 West Midlands
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLG31 Birmingham
Delivery Location
TLG31 Birmingham
Local Authority
Birmingham
Electoral Ward
Edgbaston
Westminster Constituency
Birmingham Edgbaston

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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