Planning

Ask AI about this notice

Summarise, research or assess it with AI

View Markdown

Share this notice

Send this contract to a colleague

Strengthening the Global Trading System (GTS)

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

PlanningUpdate

12 Aug 2026 at 16:22

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

06 Aug 2026 at 13:59

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office is developing a potential global trade and development services contract under its Trade Centre of Expertise. The work would support developing countries, including Least Developed Countries, to participate more effectively in international trade and gain benefits from inclusive, sustainable and export-led growth. Expected activities include technical assistance and advice for trade negotiations and related processes; capacity building and institutional support for engagement with the World Trade Organization and other multilateral or regional trade bodies; policy, legal and technical assistance on implementing trade agreements; and research, analysis and knowledge sharing for trade policy and decision-making. Delivery will involve work with developing-country institutions and international trade bodies. The procurement is for services and is classed as foreign economic-aid-related services.

This procurement is at the planning and early market engagement stage. FCDO is considering a potential future contract, with the final scope, requirements and contractual arrangements to be developed following market feedback. The expected route to market has not yet been determined. FCDO has scheduled a virtual early market engagement session for 10 September 2026, from 10:00 to 11:30 UK time, and expects the next notice on 19 October 2026. The indicative contract period is 1 April 2027 to 1 December 2031, with renewal possible until 1 December 2032. The estimated value is £8,000,000 excluding VAT and £10,000,000 including VAT. There is one planned lot, intended to be suitable for SMEs and voluntary, community or social enterprises.

This will suit organisations with established expertise in international trade and development, particularly those able to combine policy advice, legal and technical assistance, research and practical capacity building. Experience supporting developing countries, Least Developed Countries, trade ministries or other public institutions would be relevant, as would knowledge of the World Trade Organization and regional or multilateral trade systems. Suppliers should be able to strengthen institutional capability, support participation in negotiations and trade-related processes, and turn analysis into usable policy and implementation advice. The requirement may suit specialist consultancies, international development organisations, research bodies and partnerships combining these capabilities. FCDO has expressly welcomed SMEs and consortia, and organisations may prepare to participate either as a prime contractor or subcontractor when the future procurement takes shape.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Strengthening the Global Trading System (GTS)

Notice Description

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) is undertaking Early Market Engagement (EME) in advance of a potential future procurement opportunity for Strengthening the Global Trading System (GTS). The GTS contract is expected to form part of the Trade Centre of Expertise (Trade CoE), which sits within FCDO's wider Growth Community of Expertise (Growth CoE). The Trade CoE provides technical assistance to help developing countries participate more effectively in international trade and support inclusive, sustainable and export-led economic growth. The proposed GTS support offer will focus on strengthening the capacity of developing countries, including Least Developed Countries (LDCs), to engage in, influence and benefit from the multilateral trading system, particularly through the World Trade Organization (WTO). Indicative areas of support may include: - Technical assistance and advisory services to strengthen developing country participation in international trade negotiations and trade related processes. - Capacity building and institutional support to improve engagement with the WTO and other relevant multilateral and regional trade bodies. - Policy, legal and technical assistance to support the implementation of, and access to benefits from, international trade agreements. - Research, analysis and knowledge sharing to strengthen trade policy development and decision making. FCDO welcomes engagement from organisations with relevant expertise in trade and development, including SMEs and consortia. Suppliers interested in this opportunity, whether as a potential Prime Contractor or subcontractor, are invited to attend (virtually) an Early Market Engagement Event on Thursday 10 September at 10:00am (UK time). The session will provide further information on the emerging requirement and offer suppliers an opportunity to contribute views that will help inform FCDO's approach. Please note that the information provided at this stage is indicative only and does not constitute a commitment to procure. The final scope, requirements and contractual arrangements will be confirmed in any future Tender Notice. The route to market has not yet been determined. Feedback received through FCDO's preliminary market engagement activities will be used to help shape the procurement strategy and inform decisions on the most appropriate delivery model. Please follow this link for registration details: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=09Ci08h8Uk-7-YW9Q9lCecrVSZRgRcpDtJxVU1ZowUdUNDU5RzE2SzFDVzRGS0tGWlk5SkVXMjBWQyQlQCNjPTEu&route=shorturl

Planning Information

Live Early Market Engagement Session will be taking place virtually on Thursday10/09/2026 at 10:00 - 11:30 AM UK BST. The link to the registration form is: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=09Ci08h8Uk-7-YW9Q9lCecrVSZRgRcpDtJxVU1ZowUdUNDU5RzE2SzFDVzRGS0tGWlk5SkVXMjBWQyQlQCNjPTEu&route=shorturl

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06dddc
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/076945-2026
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, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

75 - Administration, defence and social security services

CPV Codes

75211200 - Foreign economic-aid-related services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£8,000,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
12 Aug 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
19 Oct 20262 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Apr 2027 - 1 Dec 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
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
LONDON
Postcode
SW1A 2AH
Postcode Area
South West London
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI3 Inner London - West
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI35 Westminster and City of London
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Westminster
Electoral Ward
St James's
Westminster Constituency
Cities of London and Westminster

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.

Loading OCDS record...