--- title: "Request for Information - GM Citizens' Panel" ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-6d1ddf25-d61c-41bf-9f18-8efa1ba110aa" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-6d1ddf25-d61c-41bf-9f18-8efa1ba110aa" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-6d1ddf25-d61c-41bf-9f18-8efa1ba110aa.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-6d1ddf25-d61c-41bf-9f18-8efa1ba110aa.json" source: "Contracts Finder" current_stage: "Planning" buyer: "UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER" published: "2026-03-25" --- # Request for Information - GM Citizens' Panel Buyer: UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER Current stage: Planning OCID: ocds-b5fd17-6d1ddf25-d61c-41bf-9f18-8efa1ba110aa [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-6d1ddf25-d61c-41bf-9f18-8efa1ba110aa) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-6d1ddf25-d61c-41bf-9f18-8efa1ba110aa.json) ## Summary The University of Manchester is in the planning stage of re-procuring its GM Citizens' Panel, having initiated a tender process to gather interest from potential organisations. This Request for Information (RFI) aims to understand interested parties for a three-year contract to manage the Citizens' Panel, which includes hosting two panels annually, managing logistics, and conducting virtual surveys. The industry category falls under research and development services as well as management consultancy services, with the engagement end date set for 27 April 2026. As the University manages its procurement outside of the typical regulatory framework due to its status as an exempt charity, it seeks value and good procurement practice without being bound by public law contracts regulations. This tender presents opportunities for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and ventures with social business interests (VCSE) to collaborate with the University of Manchester, particularly within the research and consultancy sectors. The focus on civic input to research and strategic projects offers avenues for businesses specialising in community engagement and management consultancy to expand their influence and develop strategic partnerships. Organisations capable of efficiently managing panel logistics, communication, and delivering insightful research are well-suited to compete, offering a potential growth avenue aligning their services with institutional objectives for an impactful civic engagement initiative. ## Notice The GM Civic University Board, managed by the University of Manchester, is seeking to re-procure its Citizens' Panel. The panel has been in operation for three years. The University is initially seeking to understand which organisations exist that would be interested in submitting a proposal for a three-year contract to run: * Two Citizens' Panels per year - one in person and one online * Manage all logistics and communication with the Citizens' Panel members, working in partnership with the GM Civic University Board * Undertake a virtual survey at the start and end of the three-year contract to monitor the impact of the GM Civic University Agreement * A model for additional pay panel meetings GM Civic University Board sessions or as an option for GM Civic University Board members to commission to provide civic input to research or strategic projects. The University of Manchester no longer meets the criteria of a 'body governed by public law' and is therefore not considered a contracting authority for the purposes of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and/or any replacement legislation. As a result, the University of Manchester will no longer be subject to the regime contained in The Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and/or any replacement legislation with effect from 1 August 2023. However, as an institution founded for the public good, an exempt charity and an organization in receipt of public funds, the University has a duty to manage expenditure in an appropriate manner and aims to deliver value for money across its non-pay spend by adhering to good procurement practice Additional information: Information, formalities and necessary requirements to be met will be set out in the procurement documents, all of which are freely available via the University's procurement portal In-Tend - https://in-tendhost.co.uk/manchesteruniversity (https://in-tendhost.co.uk/manchesteruniversity) Please note - This process is not a formal request for bids. The RFI may ask for prices/costs but this is for information purposes only at this stage. The publication of this RFI does not commit the University to any procurement. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Contracts Finder | | Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/2fcae606-7e2d-4883-8968-f4d4f54d9616 | | Notice type | Market Engagement Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Not specified | | Procurement method | Not Specified | | Procurement method details | Not specified | | Tender suitability | SME, VCSE | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Planning | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 25 Mar 2026 | | Submission deadline | Not specified | | Future notice date | 27 Apr 2026 | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | Not specified | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | Not specified | | Lots value | Not specified | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Planning | | Lots status | Not specified | | Awards status | Not specified | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER | | Locality | MANCHESTER | | Post town | Manchester | | Postcode | M13 9PL | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLD North West (England) | | ITL 2 | TLD3 Greater Manchester | | ITL 3 | TLD33 Manchester | | Local authority | Manchester | | Electoral ward | Hulme | | Westminster constituency | Manchester Rusholme | | Delivery location | Not specified | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services - 79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security ### Codes - 73000000 - Research and development services and related consultancy services - 79411000 - General management consultancy services ## Release History - 25 Mar 2026 at 12:01 - Planning - Market Engagement Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/2fcae606-7e2d-4883-8968-f4d4f54d9616 ## Documents - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/2fcae606-7e2d-4883-8968-f4d4f54d9616 25th March 2026 - Early engagement notice on Contracts Finder ## Notice URLs - https://in-tendhost.co.uk/manchesteruniversity ## Provenance This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-6d1ddf25-d61c-41bf-9f18-8efa1ba110aa. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-6d1ddf25-d61c-41bf-9f18-8efa1ba110aa.json.