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Internal Audit Services - Adra and Grwp Cynefin

Adra (Tai) Cyf

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

14 Sep 2026 at 15:41

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Adra (Tai) Cyf and Grŵp Cynefin are exploring the future provision of internal audit services for their housing associations in north Wales and north Powys. The proposed service is independent, objective and risk-based, covering governance, risk management, financial and operational controls, regulatory compliance, service delivery, internal controls, data integrity and landlord health and safety compliance. It would also support wider priorities including decarbonisation, development and growth. The work would include audit planning, individual audits, recommendation follow-up, annual assurance opinions and reporting to Boards and Audit and Risk Committees. Most activity could be delivered remotely, but providers would occasionally attend offices, Board or Committee meetings and other locations across north Wales to present findings. If taken forward jointly, each association is expected to sign a separate contract.

This procurement is at the planning and early market-engagement stage, rather than an invitation to tender. Suppliers are asked to provide expressions of interest and market feedback by 21 September 2026, including views on market capacity and whether a joint approach is practical. Adra and Grŵp Cynefin will then decide whether to procure together or separately. The buyer expects a tender opportunity to be published by 28 September 2026, with contracts intended to start on 1 April 2027. The proposed contract period runs to 31 October 2029, with renewal provisions allowing extension to 31 October 2031. The estimated value is £240,000 excluding VAT, or £288,000 including VAT. The requirement is presented as one lot and is above the relevant threshold.

This will suit established internal audit providers with demonstrable experience delivering independent, objective and risk-based assurance for housing associations or comparable regulated organisations. Relevant capability includes assessing governance, risk management, financial and operational controls, regulatory compliance, service delivery, internal controls and data integrity. Providers should be able to develop an Internal Audit Strategy and risk-based Annual Audit Plan, deliver recurring compliance and strategic audits, test landlord health and safety arrangements, track recommendations and provide timely reports and annual assurance opinions. Experience reporting to Boards and Audit and Risk Committees, presenting findings clearly and supporting senior decision-making will be important. The anticipated workload is substantial across the two associations, with remote delivery combined with periodic attendance in north Wales. Welsh housing-sector and regulatory knowledge would be particularly relevant.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Internal Audit Services - Adra and Grwp Cynefin

Notice Description

Adra Tai Cyfyngedig ("Adra") and Grwp Cynefin are two separate housing associations based in north Wales. We are currently exploring our options for the future provision of our internal audit services, including whether a joint procurement approach would be beneficial. To help us determine our next steps, we welcome early engagement from suitably experienced internal audit providers to help us understand market interest, capacity and views on the proposed approach. If a joint procurement is pursued, it is anticipated that each housing association would enter into separate contracts with the successful provider. Adra: Adra is North Wales' largest housing association, providing more than 7,500 quality, affordable homes and services to people in housing need across the region, while supporting the culture and heritage of the communities it serves; it is a charitable registered society regulated by the Welsh Government. Adra is seeking a suitably qualified and experienced provider to deliver an independent, objective and collaborative internal audit service focused on its core governance, service delivery, financial risks and internal controls, supporting both its landlord activities and wider priorities such as decarbonisation, development and growth. The anticipated requirement is approximately 40 days per year and will include recurring compliance and data integrity audits, selected strategic audits in key risk areas, cyclical follow-up of recommendations, development of the Internal Audit Strategy and Annual Audit Plan, timely reporting on individual audits, an annual assurance opinion, limited desktop compliance and data integrity testing within landlord health and safety areas, and attendance at relevant Board or Committee meetings where required. Whilst much of the contract specification could be delivered remotely, there will at times be an expectation for relevant representatives to occasionally attend the office or locations throughout North Wales. This may include attendance at Board and/or Committee Meetings, to present findings and reports. Grwp Cynefin: Grwp Cynefin is a charitable housing association and registered society regulated by the Welsh Government, owning approximately 5,000 homes across six counties in north Wales and north Powys. Grwp Cynefin is seeking a suitably qualified and experienced provider to deliver an independent, objective and risk-based internal audit service covering governance, risk management, financial and operational controls, regulatory compliance and service delivery. The anticipated requirement is approximately 68 days per year and will include an internal audit strategy and risk-based annual audit plan, delivery of individual audits with timely reporting, follow-up of recommendations, an annual assurance opinion, and reporting to and attendance at the Audit and Risk Committee and Board where required. Much of the service can be delivered remotely, with attendance at its offices or other locations in north Wales expected from time to time, including to present findings. We would be pleased to hear from potential bidders who may be interested in this opportunity. Your response will help Adra and Grwp Cynefin understand the level of market interest and determine whether it is beneficial to proceed with a joint procurement exercise. Please respond by 21 September 2026. We would also welcome an informal discussion with if you would like to explore the requirements, ask questions or provide any feedback before responding. To arrange any discussions and to provide any feedback, please contact caffael@adra.co.uk If you do not intend to bid, we would still appreciate hearing your reasons, as this will provide valuable insight into the market and help inform our approach. Next steps: Following receipt of the Expressions of Interest, Adra and Grwp Cynefin will review the feedback and decide whether to proceed collaboratively or undertake separate procurement exercises. We anticipate that the tender opportunity will be published by the end of September 2026, for the contracts to be effective from the 1st of April 2027. Further details on the proposed procurement timetable and process will be shared once this decision has been made. Please note that this is for market engagement only, with no commitment to proceed, no costs reimbursed and no bearing on whether a supplier can tender later.

Planning Information

Adra Tai Cyfyngedig (“Adra”) and Grŵp Cynefin are two separate housing associations based in north Wales. We are currently exploring our options for the future provision of our internal audit services, including whether a joint procurement approach would be beneficial. To help us determine our next steps, we welcome early engagement from suitably experienced internal audit providers to help us understand market interest, capacity and views on the proposed approach. If a joint procurement is pursued, it is anticipated that each housing association would enter into separate contracts with the successful provider. Adra: Adra is North Wales’ largest housing association, providing more than 7,500 quality, affordable homes and services to people in housing need across the region, while supporting the culture and heritage of the communities it serves; it is a charitable registered society regulated by the Welsh Government. Adra is seeking a suitably qualified and experienced provider to deliver an independent, objective and collaborative internal audit service focused on its core governance, service delivery, financial risks and internal controls, supporting both its landlord activities and wider priorities such as decarbonisation, development and growth. The anticipated requirement is approximately 40 days per year and will include recurring compliance and data integrity audits, selected strategic audits in key risk areas, cyclical follow-up of recommendations, development of the Internal Audit Strategy and Annual Audit Plan, timely reporting on individual audits, an annual assurance opinion, limited desktop compliance and data integrity testing within landlord health and safety areas, and attendance at relevant Board or Committee meetings where required. Whilst much of the contract specification could be delivered remotely, there will at times be an expectation for relevant representatives to occasionally attend the office or locations throughout North Wales. This may include attendance at Board and/or Committee Meetings, to present findings and reports. Grŵp Cynefin: Grŵp Cynefin is a charitable housing association and registered society regulated by the Welsh Government, owning approximately 5,000 homes across six counties in north Wales and north Powys. Grŵp Cynefin is seeking a suitably qualified and experienced provider to deliver an independent, objective and risk-based internal audit service covering governance, risk management, financial and operational controls, regulatory compliance and service delivery. The anticipated requirement is approximately 68 days per year and will include an internal audit strategy and risk-based annual audit plan, delivery of individual audits with timely reporting, follow-up of recommendations, an annual assurance opinion, and reporting to and attendance at the Audit and Risk Committee and Board where required. Much of the service can be delivered remotely, with attendance at its offices or other locations in north Wales expected from time to time, including to present findings. We would be pleased to hear from potential bidders who may be interested in this opportunity. Your response will help Adra and Grŵp Cynefin understand the level of market interest and determine whether it is beneficial to proceed with a joint procurement exercise. Please respond by 21 September 2026. We would also welcome an informal discussion with if you would like to explore the requirements, ask questions or provide any feedback before responding. To arrange any discussions and to provide any feedback, please contact caffael@adra.co.uk If you do not intend to bid, we would still appreciate hearing your reasons, as this will provide valuable insight into the market and help inform our approach. Next steps: Following receipt of the Expressions of Interest, Adra and Grŵp Cynefin will review the feedback and decide whether to proceed collaboratively or undertake separate procurement exercises. We anticipate that the tender opportunity will be published by the end of September 2026, for the contracts to be effective from the 1st of April 2027. Further details on the proposed procurement timetable and process will be shared once this decision has been made. Please note that this is for market engagement only, with no commitment to proceed, no costs reimbursed and no bearing on whether a supplier can tender later.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06f96c
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/086993-2026
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

79212200 - Internal audit services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£240,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
14 Sep 2026Yesterday
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
28 Sep 20262 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Apr 2027 - 31 Oct 2029 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
Adra (Tai) Cyf
Additional Buyers

Grwp Cynefin

Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
BANGOR
Postcode
LL57 4BL
Postcode Area
Llandudno
Country
Wales
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLL Wales
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLL3 North Wales
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLL32 Gwynedd
Delivery Location
TLL12 Gwynedd
Local Authority
Gwynedd
Electoral Ward
Y Faenol
Westminster Constituency
Bangor Aberconwy

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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