Tender

Ask AI about this notice

Summarise, research or assess it with AI

View Markdown

Share this notice

Send this contract to a colleague

Independent Workplace Investigation and Employee Relations Services

Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Authority

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

09 Oct 2026 at 09:21

UK4 - Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Authority is seeking an external provider of independent workplace investigation and employee relations services for Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service. The service will provide HR and employee relations support on a call-off basis, as cases arise. Work may include investigating complex, sensitive, high-risk or resource-intensive workplace matters, as well as supporting disciplinary and grievance cases. The provider will work alongside the Service’s internal HR, management and legal teams where appropriate. The requirement is for professional services rather than fire and rescue equipment or operational response. The Service operates across Tyne and Wear, and the contracted support is for its employee relations needs. The procurement is described as human resources management consultancy services.

The buyer invited offers through an open competition. The enquiry deadline was 2 November 2026 at 12:00, and the submission deadline was 6 November 2026 at 12:00. The contract is scheduled to run from 1 January 2027 to 31 December 2028, with two optional 12-month extensions, potentially extending the term to 31 December 2030. The estimated value is £100,000 excluding VAT (£120,000 including VAT). Price accounts for 20% of the evaluation and quality for 80%. The requirement is arranged as one lot. The contract is below the relevant threshold. The buyer states that work will be called off as required, with no guaranteed minimum volume or value.

This opportunity is suited to an organisation with appropriately qualified and experienced HR and employee relations specialists able to provide independent professional support. Relevant capabilities include conducting workplace investigations and handling disciplinary and grievance matters, particularly where cases are complex, sensitive, high-risk or resource-intensive. Providers should be able to work flexibly on a call-off basis and collaborate with the Service’s internal HR, management and legal resources. The requirement is for external support to complement those in-house teams, rather than to replace them. The buyer identifies experience and qualifications as important, while the evaluation places greater weight on quality than price. Suppliers should therefore be able to demonstrate the quality and suitability of their specialist support for employee relations cases.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Independent Workplace Investigation and Employee Relations Services

Notice Description

TWFRA ('the Authority') is the publicly accountable body that oversees the policy and service delivery of Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service ('the Service') on behalf of the community. The Service successfully leads the operational delivery of fire and rescue services such as public protection, fire and other emergency prevention, operational response and resilience. Our stations, staff and appliances are strategically placed across Tyne and Wear to ensure efficient and effective response to fires and other emergencies. Appliances work across station areas and can be mobilised whilst away from their home station. We also have robust arrangements with neighbouring services to enable additional support during major emergencies. Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) is seeking to appoint a suitably qualified and experienced external organisation to provide independent, professional support with employee relations matters on a call-off basis, as required. The contract will provide flexible access to experienced HR and employee relations specialists to support the Service in the management of complex, sensitive, high-risk or resource-intensive cases, including workplace investigations and disciplinary and grievance matters. The provider will work alongside the Service's internal HR, management and legal resources, as appropriate. There is no guaranteed minimum volume or value of work under the contract.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-07844c
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/095467-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Below threshold - open competition
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

79414000 - Human resources management consultancy services

Notice Value(s)

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

Notice Dates

Publication Date
9 Oct 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
6 Nov 20262 weeks to go
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Jan 2027 - 31 Dec 2028 2-3 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Active
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Authority
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
TYNE AND WEAR,
Postcode
SR5 3QY
Postcode Area
Sunderland
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLC North East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLC4 Northumberland, Durham and Tyne & Wear
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLC44 Sunderland
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Sunderland
Electoral Ward
Washington North
Westminster Constituency
Washington and Gateshead South

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...