---
title: "ID 6274755 - DFE - Invest NI - Technical Advisory - PRE-MARKET ENGAGEMENT"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-067365"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-067365"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-067365.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-067365.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Planning"
buyer: "INVEST NORTHERN IRELAND"
published: "2026-03-25"
---

# ID 6274755 - DFE - Invest NI - Technical Advisory - PRE-MARKET ENGAGEMENT

Buyer: INVEST NORTHERN IRELAND  
Current stage: Planning  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-067365

[View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-067365)  
[Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-067365.json)

## Summary

The procurement process initiated by Invest Northern Ireland, a central government public authority, is currently in the planning stage. The tender titled "ID 6274755 - DFE - Invest NI - Technical Advisory - PRE-MARKET ENGAGEMENT" focuses on providing technical advisory services within the research and development sector. The contracting authority, located in Belfast, Northern Ireland, aims to retender its R&D Technical Advisory Framework, which supports innovation and economic growth through grant funding and specialised consultancy. The deadline for engaging is set for 9th April 2026, after which the framework will cover services from November 2026 to November 2030, across the United Kingdom.

This tender represents significant opportunities for consultancy businesses specialising in research, development, and business management. Ideal candidates are those with expertise in technical appraisals and post-project evaluations, particularly for projects requiring substantial funding and applied research. The framework agreement prioritises involvement of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), encouraging their contribution to the growth of Northern Ireland’s innovation landscape. Businesses operating in research consultancy or offering business services will find this tender particularly advantageous for expanding their market presence and influence.

## Notice

Invest Northern Ireland's Innovation, Research & Development Division (IR&DD) is preparing to retender its R&D Technical Advisory Framework and want to understand what would help make the tender process accessible, proportionate and attractive to potential suppliers. IR&DD supports local organisations to develop and commercialise innovative products, processes and services that contribute to Northern Ireland's economic growth. We achieve this by providing grant funding, specialist guidance, and connections to research partners through programmes such as Grant for R&D and Proof of Concept. As part of the assessment process for R&D funding applications, a technical appraisal is required to determine project suitability. These appraisals are carried out either by our internal Technology Executives or with the support of external independent advisors with the relevant technical expertise. External advisors are typically engaged for projects seeking more than PS1m of support or where the work involves applied research at lower Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs). Consultants may also be asked to complete technical reviews at key points during the project i.e., midway and at the end of the project. For the next framework period, Invest NI also intend to include the option for independent advisors to support Post Project Evaluations (PPEs), conducted 3-5 years after project completion. These evaluations assess outcomes, benefits, lessons learned and the counterfactual-what would have occurred in the absence of funding. To deliver these commitments, IR&DD operates a four year framework of independent consultants. Our current framework expires in November 2026, and we are preparing to procure a new framework to run from November 2026 to November 2030. If you are interested in providing these services to Invest NI, we would appreciate your feedback to help us shape the new framework. Depending on the volume of responses we may also arrange follow-up discussions. If you wish to participate in the Contracting Authority's (Invest NI) Preliminary Market Engagement for this requirement, a questionnaire for completion is available via the following Link (please copy and paste this to your browser for access): https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/invest-ni-technical-advisory-framework/ The questionnaire must be completed and submitted via this link by the engagement deadline of 09/04/2026

### Planning Information

If you wish to participate in the Contracting Authority's (Invest NI) Preliminary Market Engagement for this requirement, a questionnaire for completion is available via the following Link (please copy and paste this into your browser for access):
https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/invest-ni-technical-advisory-framework/
The questionnaire must be completed and submitted via this link by the engagement deadline date and time detailed above.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/027097-2026 |
| Notice type | UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice |
| Procurement type | Framework |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Not Specified |
| Procurement method details | Not specified |
| Tender suitability | SME |
| Awardee scale | Not specified |
| All stages | Planning |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 25 Mar 2026 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | 1 Nov 2026 |
| Award date | Not specified |
| Contract period | 15 Nov 2026 - 14 Nov 2030 |
| 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 | INVEST NORTHERN IRELAND |
| Additional buyers | CPD - SUPPLIES & SERVICES DIVISION |
| Locality | BELFAST |
| Post town | Northern Ireland |
| Postcode | BT2 7ES |
| 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

- 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
- 73110000 - Research services
- 73200000 - Research and development consultancy services
- 73210000 - Research consultancy services
- 79000000 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security
- 79400000 - Business and management consultancy and related services

## Release History

- 25 Mar 2026 at 08:09 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/027097-2026

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/027097-2026
  25th March 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- https://www.finance-ni.gov.uk
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents
- https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/invest-ni-technical-advisory-framework/

## 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-067365. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-067365.json.