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Research Services: Unlocking Barriers to Audit Technology

THE FINANCIAL REPORTING COUNCIL LIMITED

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

17 Sep 2026 at 12:57

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) commissioned research and related consultancy services to understand the factors affecting the adoption and use of audit technology across the UK audit market. The work examines why smaller audit firms can face barriers such as limited time and resources, technical expertise constraints and reliance on off-the-shelf solutions, while considering differing levels of technology maturity among mid-tier and larger firms. The purpose is to support a resilient audit market delivering high-quality services and outcomes. Delivery covers the United Kingdom, and the requirement sits within the research and development services category. It will be relevant to research agencies, market insight consultancies and specialists with knowledge of audit, accountancy, professional services or technology adoption.

This is an awarded and completed procurement, with an active contract signed on 17 September 2026. The FRC used a below-threshold limited competition through further competition under the Government Commercial Agency framework agreement for CCS Research & Insights. One lot was awarded to IFF Research Limited. The contract runs from 24 September 2026 to 27 March 2027, with a maximum extent date of 24 September 2027. Its value is £74,850 excluding VAT and £89,820 including VAT. The buyer has an option to purchase additional services of the same or similar nature, and the contract allows one further six-month renewal. The published outcome records IFF Research Limited as the selected supplier for the research requirement.

This award shows that the FRC uses specialist independent research provision to investigate technology adoption across the audit market, including differences between large, mid-tier and smaller firms. A credible competitor for a future requirement would need strong qualitative research capability, including designing research into adoption barriers, gathering evidence from audit firms and stakeholders, and turning findings into clear, useful insight for a regulatory audience. Relevant experience in audit, accountancy, professional services, regulation or technology implementation would help demonstrate subject knowledge. Suppliers should also be able to manage UK-wide research, understand practical constraints affecting smaller organisations and provide consultancy-quality analysis rather than only data collection.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Research Services: Unlocking Barriers to Audit Technology

Notice Description

THIS IS A CONTRACT AWARD The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) regulates auditors, accountants and actuaries and sets the UK's Corporate Governance and Stewardship Codes. As the Competent Authority for audit in the UK, we set auditing and ethical standards and monitor and enforce audit quality. The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) is committed to supporting a resilient audit market which delivers high-quality services and outcomes. FRC research and stakeholder engagement highlight that the largest audit firms are making significant advances in the use of technology. Mid-tier audit firms are also experimenting and adopting new tools, with varying levels of maturity in their approaches. Smaller audit firms, however, often face greater barriers to adoption, including limited time, resource constraints, technical expertise, and perceived need. As a result, they may be less able to invest in audit technology and are more likely to rely on off-the-shelf third-party solutions. FRC via further competition under the Government Commercial Agency (GCA) framework agreement - CCS Research & Insights - GCA have commissioned an independent research provider to undertake qualitative research into the factors influencing the adoption and usage of audit technology across the UK audit market.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-077453
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/088185-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Limited
Procurement Method Details
Below threshold - limited competition
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

CPV Codes

73000000 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£74,850 Under £100K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
17 Sep 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
24 Sep 2026 - 27 Mar 2027 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
THE FINANCIAL REPORTING COUNCIL 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
LONDON
Postcode
E14 9GE
Postcode Area
East London
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI4 Inner London - East
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI42 Tower Hamlets
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Tower Hamlets
Electoral Ward
Blackwall & Cubitt Town
Westminster Constituency
Poplar and Limehouse

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

IFF Research

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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