---
title: "DfE - Careers Portal Project - PRE MARKET ENGAGEMENT"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-050bb8"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-050bb8"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-050bb8.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-050bb8.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Planning"
buyer: "DEPARTMENT FOR THE ECONOMY"
published: "2025-05-01"
---

# DfE - Careers Portal Project - PRE MARKET ENGAGEMENT

Buyer: DEPARTMENT FOR THE ECONOMY  
Current stage: Planning  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-050bb8

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[Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-050bb8.json)

## Summary

The Department for the Economy, a central government authority in Northern Ireland, is in the planning stage of a procurement process for the "DfE - Careers Portal Project - PRE MARKET ENGAGEMENT." The procurement aims to develop an online Careers Portal, envisioned as the central hub for careers information across Northern Ireland. Procuring through the Department's CPD - Supplies & Services Division, this initiative falls under the IT services industry. Interested parties are invited to participate in market engagement by completing a questionnaire available on eTendersNI by 22nd May 2025. The project is anticipated to start on 1st October 2026 and could extend until 2033, with the main procurement category being services.

This tender offers a substantial growth opportunity for businesses specialising in IT services, consulting, software development, and related internet support. With the potential to shape a cornerstone digital service, this project is particularly suitable for companies experienced in large-scale IT infrastructure and digital solutions, especially those familiar with public sector contracts. Participation in this preliminary engagement could position a business favourably for the upcoming formal procurement process, offering a strategic entry into public sector projects within the UK.

## Notice

The Department for the Economy (DfE) is preparing to initiate a procurement process to establish a contract with a supplier, or suppliers, to build an online, standalone, Careers Portal aiming to become the single starting point for all those requiring careers information in NI. The potential scale and scope of this service is such that it offers a significant opportunity to bidders. Prior to initiating the procurement, DfE wishes to establish the level of market interest in participating in the procurement process. The questionnaire must be completed and submitted via eTendersNI by the engagement deadline date and time detailed above. Details of additional participating bodies can be found detailed within the questionnaire document.

### Planning Information

If you wish to participate in the Contracting Authority's Preliminary Market Engagement for
this requirement, a questionnaire for completion is available via eTendersNI under ID 5831069.
The questionnaire must be completed and submitted via eTendersNI by the engagement
deadline date and time detailed above.
Details of additional participating bodies can be found detailed within the questionnaire
document.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/018548-2025 |
| 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 |
| All stages | Planning |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 1 May 2025 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | 22 May 2025 |
| Award date | Not specified |
| Contract period | 30 Sep 2026 - 30 Sep 2029 |
| 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 | Planning |
| Awards status | Not specified |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | DEPARTMENT FOR THE ECONOMY |
| Additional buyers | CPD - SUPPLIES & SERVICES DIVISION |
| Locality | BELFAST |
| Post town | Northern Ireland |
| Postcode | BT3 9ED |
| Country | Northern Ireland |
| ITL 1 | TLN Northern Ireland |
| ITL 2 | TLN0 Northern Ireland |
| ITL 3 | TLN06 Belfast |
| Local authority | Belfast |
| Electoral ward | Sydenham |
| Westminster constituency | Belfast East |
| Delivery location | TLN Northern Ireland |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 72 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

### Codes

- 72000000 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

## Release History

- 1 May 2025 at 15:17 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/018548-2025

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/018548-2025
  1st May 2025 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- http://economy-ni.gov.uk
- https://www.finance-ni.gov.uk
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents

## 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-h6vhtk-050bb8. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-050bb8.json.