Planning

Ask AI about this notice

Summarise, research or assess it with AI

View Markdown

Share this notice

Send this contract to a colleague

Appointment of External Auditor

PLATFORM HOUSING LIMITED

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

28 Aug 2026 at 11:37

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Platform Housing Limited intends to appoint an independent external auditor for the Group and relevant entities within its group structure. The requirement is for external audit services delivered in line with applicable legislation, regulatory requirements, professional standards and relevant guidance. The work will cover audit planning and delivery, including the use of technology and data analytics, together with quality assurance. The buyer is seeking views from suitably experienced audit organisations on the market’s capacity, capability, expertise and resources. The service is classified as auditing services (CPV 79212000) and will be delivered across the United Kingdom. This is a group-wide professional services requirement rather than a construction, facilities or general financial consultancy contract.

This procurement is at the planning stage and is currently a pre-market engagement, not an invitation to tender or call for competition. Platform Housing Limited expects to use the engagement responses to shape its procurement strategy, specification and route to market. The planned engagement questionnaire is scheduled for 14 September 2026, and the buyer may invite suppliers to a presentation session afterwards. Subject to engagement findings, internal approvals and governance, the formal procurement is intended to be completed and the external auditor appointed by July 2027. The proposed contract period is 1 August 2027 to 31 July 2031. The requirement is a single planned lot and is above the applicable procurement threshold. Participation will not advantage or disadvantage suppliers in any later competition.

The engagement will suit established external audit firms with the capacity to serve a housing group and its related entities over a multi-year appointment. Relevant suppliers should be able to demonstrate independent audit capability, sufficient professional expertise and suitably resourced teams, supported by robust quality assurance. Experience of audit planning and delivery across complex organisational structures will be useful, particularly where mobilisation and transition from an incumbent auditor are required. The buyer is also considering how technology and data analytics can improve audit delivery, so firms with credible digital audit methods and practical data capabilities should prepare evidence of these strengths. Suppliers should be ready to discuss regulatory compliance, professional standards, market capacity, commercial and pricing considerations, barriers to participation and approaches that could support effective competition.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Appointment of External Auditor

Notice Description

The Group intends to undertake a procurement exercise for the appointment of its external auditor and is conducting pre-market engagement to inform the development of its procurement strategy, specification and proposed approach to market. The requirement will be for the provision of independent external audit services to the Group and relevant entities within the Group structure. The appointed auditor will be expected to deliver high-quality, independent and effective audit services in accordance with all applicable legislation, regulatory requirements, professional standards and relevant guidance. The purpose of this pre-market engagement is to obtain views and information from suitably experienced organisations regarding the proposed requirement and the current external audit market. In particular, the Group is seeking to understand: * the capacity and capability of the market to deliver the proposed requirement; * the level and type of experience, expertise and resources required to deliver the services effectively; * appropriate approaches to audit planning, delivery, technology, data analytics and quality assurance; * mobilisation and transition requirements, particularly where there is a change of external auditor; * commercial and pricing considerations, including factors that may influence the cost of the services; * potential barriers to participation and opportunities to encourage effective competition; and * any other matters that the market considers relevant to the successful procurement and delivery of the services.

Planning Information

The Group currently intends to commence the formal procurement process following completion of the pre-market engagement exercise, subject to the outcome of the engagement and the Group's internal governance and approvals. The Group's current intention is for the procurement process to be completed and the external auditor appointment to be in place by July 2027, allowing sufficient time for mobilisation and transition arrangements as required. Organisations participating in this pre-market engagement should note that the exercise is being undertaken for information-gathering and market-testing purposes only. It does not constitute an invitation to tender, a call for competition, or a commitment by the Group to proceed with a procurement exercise or to award a contract. Participation in the pre-market engagement will not confer any advantage or disadvantage in any subsequent procurement process. Any future procurement will be conducted in accordance with the applicable procurement legislation and the Group's procurement procedures. Information obtained through this engagement may be used to inform the final procurement strategy, requirements and documentation. The Group reserves the right to amend its proposed approach, requirements and timetable following completion of the pre-market engagement. We may invite suppliers to a presentation session if we feel that it is needed post the pre-market engagement questionnaire being completed and concluded. We will advise if we intend to do this and ensure that suppliers are given adequate time to prepare. You can respond to the questionnaire here: https://wkf.ms/46tHuHU

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06ee68
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/082114-2026
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
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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

CPV Codes

79212000 - Auditing services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
28 Aug 20264 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
14 Sep 20262 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Aug 2027 - 31 Jul 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
PLATFORM HOUSING LIMITED
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
SOLIHULL
Postcode
B37 7YD
Postcode Area
Birmingham
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLG West Midlands (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLG3 West Midlands
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLG32 Solihull
Delivery Location
TLG West Midlands (England)
Local Authority
Solihull
Electoral Ward
Bickenhill
Westminster Constituency
Meriden and Solihull East

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...