--- title: "Pay structure reform in the UK Fire and Rescue Service" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-069b11" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-069b11" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-069b11.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-069b11.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Tender" buyer: "IMPROVEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT (IDEA)" published: "2026-05-18" --- # Pay structure reform in the UK Fire and Rescue Service Buyer: IMPROVEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT (IDEA) Current stage: Tender OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-069b11 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-069b11) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-069b11.json) ## Summary The Improvement and Development Agency for Local Government (IDeA) is conducting a public procurement process titled "Pay structure reform in the UK Fire and Rescue Service." This procurement falls under the category of fire-brigade and rescue services. It is at the tender stage and utilises an open procurement method below the threshold, facilitating an open competition. Organisations have until 18th June 2026 to submit their proposals. The tender mainly pertains to regions across the United Kingdom, including UKK, UKJ, UKI, and others. The tender period will be followed by a contract period starting 10th August 2026 through 31st August 2027, with a possibility of extension. This tender offers significant opportunities for business growth, particularly for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs), given its open competition nature. Businesses with expertise in job evaluation systems, especially within the fire and rescue services sector, will find this project highly relevant. The focus is on creating a job evaluation system that aligns with national priorities and agreements, making it ideal for firms experienced in HR consultancy, public sector reforms, or organisational development. The total value of the project is up to £30,000, presenting a substantial opportunity for eligible businesses to contribute to a significant reform initiative. ## Notice The National Joint Council for Local Authority Fire & Rescue Services (NJC) has been discussing reform of the Grey Book pay structure for operational firefighters in the UK for several years. We are now at a point where the aims and objectives of the main stakeholders - the government, the employees (represented by the Fire Brigades Union) and the employers (represented by the National Employers) - are aligned in such a way that we now have an opportunity to make significant progress towards a new pay and grading structure that enables the expansion of the role of a Firefighter to support national resilience and allow the sector to respond to new and emerging risks. The current pay structure within the Grey Book over 20 years old, it is a flat structure, with no spinal points or incremental progression and there is no job evaluation process or structure in place to enable the evaluation of knowledge, skills or competency in role. Initial work has begun on what a new pay structure might look like and we are now seeking assistance from an external party to provide assurance to our work programme and project plan, to help create a robust job evaluation system specifically fit for purpose in the operational fire and rescue space, and to draw on good practice from other sectors. Before undertaking the technical design of the job evaluation system, the supplier will work collaboratively with the NJC Joint Secretaries and the LGA's Workforce Team to shape the project through a structured scoping and advisory phase. This will ensure alignment with national priorities and the principles already agreed by both parties (the employers' side and the employees' side of the NJC). ### Lot Information Lot 1 Renewal: There may be scope to extend which will primarily be dependent on any associated work that arises as a result of this project ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/045389-2026 | | Notice type | UK4 - Tender Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Services | | Procurement method | Open | | Procurement method details | Below threshold - open competition | | Tender suitability | SME, VCSE | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Tender | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 18 May 2026 | | Submission deadline | 18 Jun 2026 | | Future notice date | Not specified | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | 10 Aug 2026 - 31 Aug 2027 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £25,000 | | Lots value | £25,000 | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Active | | Lots status | Active | | Awards status | Not specified | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | IMPROVEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT (IDEA) | | Locality | LONDON | | Post town | South West London | | Postcode | SW1P 3HZ | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLI London | | ITL 2 | TLI3 Inner London - West | | ITL 3 | TLI35 Westminster and City of London | | Local authority | Westminster | | Electoral ward | St James's | | Westminster constituency | Cities of London and Westminster | | Delivery location | TLC North East (England), TLD North West (England), TLE Yorkshire and The Humber, TLF East Midlands (England), TLG West Midlands (England), TLH East (England), TLI London, TLJ South East (England), TLK South West (England) | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 75 - Administration, defence and social security services ### Codes - 75250000 - Fire-brigade and rescue services ## Release History - 18 May 2026 at 13:33 - Tender - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/045389-2026 ## Documents - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/045389-2026 18th May 2026 - Tender notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/A-16269 - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/A-16270 ## Notice URLs - https://app.panacea-software.com/LGA-Sourcing/eRFX-Suppliers/OpenReq.aspx?requirementId=cb3617ec-7dcb-4391-a2ee-abe077de721b - 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-069b11. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-069b11.json.