---
title: "DFC - Commercial Services Branch - DfC Strategic Partnership Framework - Pre-Market Engagement"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-06aa9f"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06aa9f"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06aa9f.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06aa9f.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Planning"
buyer: "DEPARTMENT FOR COMMUNITIES"
published: "2026-06-01"
---

# DFC - Commercial Services Branch - DfC Strategic Partnership Framework - Pre-Market Engagement

Buyer: DEPARTMENT FOR COMMUNITIES  
Current stage: Planning  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-06aa9f

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## Summary

The Department for Communities (DfC) based in Belfast, United Kingdom, is currently in the planning stage of a procurement process for a Strategic Partner Framework aimed at delivering Professional Services. The framework aims to support DfC and participating Arm's Length Bodies (ALBs) by providing consultancy where in-house capabilities are insufficient, with a focus on strategic priorities. The competition is set within the services industry category, including IT and business consultancy services. Key dates include an engagement questionnaire deadline by 15:00 on 22 June 2026, and the procurement framework is expected to commence on 24 August 2026, lasting until 23 August 2028. The planned procurement will support strategic delivery through defined work packages and aims to establish a single supplier agreement.

This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses specialising in consultancy services across various disciplines, such as IT, business management, and financial consultancy. Organizations well-suited for this procurement are those with strong expertise in consultancy and professional services, capable of providing comprehensive support to public bodies. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are particularly encouraged to participate in this framework, which promotes business growth by offering access to public sector work valued at potentially £5-6 million. The project not only includes substantial budgetary allocation but also the possibility of renewal and extension, thus promising long-term opportunities for successful bidders.

## Notice

Construction and Procurement Delivery (CPD) is undertaking this Pre Market Engagement (PME) exercise on behalf of DFC, and are inviting suppliers who may have an interest in this competition. The Department for Communities (DfC), is seeking to establish a single supplier Strategic Partner Framework Agreement for the provision of Professional Services to DfC and participating Arm's Length Bodies (ALBs). The successful Supplier shall be responsible for managing and delivering Professional Services in accordance with the Framework Agreement, this Specification and the associated Contract Documents. In order to support delivery of its strategic objectives, DfC and participating ALBs (the Buyer) require access to specialist Professional Services where in house capability or capacity is not available or appropriate. This will be in the form of consultancy support or other professional services, including staff substitution. The Buyer therefore proposes to establish a single supplier Strategic Partner Framework Agreement to support delivery of strategic priorities through defined Work Packages.

### Planning Information

The Questionnaire can be located within the Tender documents area in eTendersNI.
Interested Suppliers should download the questionnaire, complete and upload into the
messaging function within eTendersNI by 3pm Monday 22 June 2026. Any clarifications
can also be submitted using the messaging function before the closing date. 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/051513-2026 |
| 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 | 1 Jun 2026 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | 27 Jul 2026 |
| Award date | Not specified |
| Contract period | 23 Aug 2026 - 23 Aug 2028 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £5,000,000 |
| 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 COMMUNITIES |
| Additional buyers | CPD - SUPPLIES & SERVICES DIVISION |
| Locality | BELFAST |
| Post town | Northern Ireland |
| Postcode | BT2 7EG |
| 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 | Not specified |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 66 - Financial and insurance services
- 70 - Real estate services
- 72 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support
- 75 - Administration, defence and social security services
- 79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security
- 92 - Recreational, cultural and sporting services

### Codes

- 66000000 - Financial and insurance services
- 66170000 - Financial consultancy, financial transaction processing and clearing-house services
- 70000000 - Real estate services
- 70331000 - Residential property services
- 70332000 - Non-residential property services
- 70332200 - Commercial property management services
- 72000000 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support
- 72212482 - Business intelligence software development services
- 72220000 - Systems and technical consultancy services
- 72221000 - Business analysis consultancy services
- 72223000 - Information technology requirements review services
- 72224000 - Project management consultancy services
- 72224100 - System implementation planning services
- 72227000 - Software integration consultancy services
- 72266000 - Software consultancy services
- 72500000 - Computer-related services
- 72600000 - Computer support and consultancy services
- 72800000 - Computer audit and testing services
- 75111200 - Legislative services
- 75300000 - Compulsory social security services
- 79140000 - Legal advisory and information services
- 79300000 - Market and economic research; polling and statistics
- 79310000 - Market research services
- 79400000 - Business and management consultancy and related services
- 79410000 - Business and management consultancy services
- 79411000 - General management consultancy services
- 79411100 - Business development consultancy services
- 79412000 - Financial management consultancy services
- 79900000 - Miscellaneous business and business-related services
- 92000000 - Recreational, cultural and sporting services
- 92500000 - Library, archives, museums and other cultural services

## Release History

- 1 Jun 2026 at 14:44 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/051513-2026

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/051513-2026
  1st June 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- 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-06aa9f. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06aa9f.json.