--- title: "Management of the Information and Advice Quality Framework for Wales (IAQF) Services" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-0523ad" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0523ad" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0523ad.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0523ad.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Planning" buyer: "LLYWODRAETH CYMRU / WELSH GOVERNMENT" published: "2025-05-23" --- # Management of the Information and Advice Quality Framework for Wales (IAQF) Services Buyer: LLYWODRAETH CYMRU / WELSH GOVERNMENT Current stage: Planning OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-0523ad [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0523ad) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0523ad.json) ## Summary The Welsh Government, based in Cardiff, is in the planning stages of a procurement process to appoint an independent partner for managing the Information and Advice Quality Framework (IAQF) Independent Assessment Service in Wales. The procurement falls under the industry category of services, specifically focusing on system quality assurance and consultancy services, with an overarching aim to promote high-quality information and advice services across Wales. The tendering stage is anticipated to begin in the summer of 2025. Interested parties need to record their interest by 9th June 2025 via the sell2wales Preliminary Market Engagement notice. The contract is expected to start on 1st October 2025, with options for renewal extending potentially until September 2028, and a budget allocation of up to GBP 240,000 excluding VAT over the possible three years. This tender presents significant growth opportunities for businesses specialising in quality assurance and consultancy services, especially those that focus on system assessments and technical support. Small to medium enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary sector organisations (VCSEs) are particularly encouraged to apply, offering them a chance to engage with government projects and enhance their portfolio with a high-profile contract. The successful bidder will have the opportunity to influence the quality of advice provided in Wales by managing various supportive services within the IAQF framework. These services include engaging with stakeholders, developing communication strategies, and providing expert advice to the Welsh Government, offering a crucial opportunity for businesses looking to expand into the public service consultancy arena. ## Notice The Welsh Government developed the Information and Advice Quality Framework for Wales (IAQF) in response to the serious concern that there was a lack of consistency and understanding amongst providers of what constitutes a quality information and advice service, and this was a barrier to collaborative working. The IAQF was published in 2019 and many independently owned Advice Quality Standards operating in the UK have now applied for and been awarded IAQF Approved Accrediting Body status. An advice provider in Wales who holds a quality standard awarded by an IAQF accredited body is able to display the IAQF logo, demonstrating that their service has been independently assessed as meeting the Welsh Government's expectations of a quality assured advice service. The IAQF continues to seek to provide a consistent approach to ensuring and assuring quality information, advice and guidance for the people of Wales. The IAQF Wales has been designed on the agreed components of good quality information and advice found within existing quality standards and seven Quality Areas. In 2022, Welsh Government supported the review of the IAQF and the associated accreditation processes and improved both as necessary. Further information can be found https://www.gov.wales/information-and-advice-quality-framework-html. The Welsh Government believe people of Wales should be served by quality assured advice services and gave a commitment that it intended to only grant fund generalist and specialist advice services who hold an Advice Quality Standard awarded by an IAQF Accredited Body. This commitment can be seen in the recent recommissioning of the Welsh Government's Single Advice Fund services. The Welsh Government is now seeking to appoint an independent partner to manage the IAQF Independent Assessment Service for up to 3 years. The successful bidder will be required to a provide a range of support services through the new contract which will include: * Management of all processes relating to the successful operation of the Information and Advice Quality Framework for Wales (IAQF) Independent Assessment Service; * Managing the reassessment process of existing IAQF Accredited Bodies for Standards Owners who wish to become quality assured under an Advice Quality Standard with the IAQF. * Provide guidance, support and advice to Standard Owners. * Develop and implement a Wales wide communication strategy to raise awareness of the IAQF amongst stakeholders, * Engage with other funders of advice services, including local authorities, to promote and encourage the use of Welsh Government's approach and prioritise funding for advice providers who hold an Advice Quality Standard awarded by an IAQF Accredited Body. * Deliver advice and practical support to advice service providers, helping them apply for a quality standard for the first time. * Provide expert advice to Welsh Government to improve the service. * Explore options on ways to help smaller providers who may be financially challenged to achieve the accreditation. The successful bidder will be awarded an initial 12-month contract with options to extend for a further 12 + 12 months for up to 3 years. A budget of up to GBP 80,000 exc. VAT is available per annum, with a potential total contract value of up to GBP 240,000 excluding VAT if the extension options are awarded. Full details of the opportunity will be included in the tender documentation which we anticipate will be published in Summer 2025. Please record your interest to bid for this opportunity via this sell2wales Preliminary Market Engagement notice. ### Planning Information Full details of the opportunity will be included in the tender documentation which we anticipate will be published in Summer 2025. Please record your interest to bid for this opportunity via this sell2wales Preliminary Market Engagement notice. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/026698-2025 | | Notice type | UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Services | | Procurement method | Not Specified | | Procurement method details | Not specified | | Tender suitability | SME, VCSE | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Planning | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 23 May 2025 | | Submission deadline | Not specified | | Future notice date | 1 Jul 2025 | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | 30 Sep 2025 - 30 Sep 2026 | | 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 | LLYWODRAETH CYMRU / WELSH GOVERNMENT | | Locality | CARDIFF | | Post town | Cardiff | | Postcode | CF10 3NQ | | Country | Wales | | ITL 1 | TLL Wales | | ITL 2 | TLL5 South East Wales | | ITL 3 | TLL52 Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan | | Local authority | Cardiff | | Electoral ward | Cathays | | Westminster constituency | Cardiff South and Penarth | | Delivery location | TLL Wales | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 72 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support ### Codes - 72220000 - Systems and technical consultancy services - 72225000 - System quality assurance assessment and review services ## Release History - 23 May 2025 at 14:20 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/026698-2025 ## Documents - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/026698-2025 23rd May 2025 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender ## Notice URLs - http://gov.wales - https://www.gov.wales/information-and-advice-quality-framework-html - 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-0523ad. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0523ad.json.