Find a TenderPlanned procurementPreliminary market engagement notice
Published 15 Sept 2026, 13:16 BST

Official UK procurement notice

CPT_26_32 Audit and Accounting Information

Authority: National Audit Office (Central government)

ServicesAbove thresholdSME suitable
Published estimate £500,000≈ £167k / year · £600,000 inc. VAT
Tender notice expected Date not publishedfrom the planned procurement notice
Contract term 3 yrsup to 5 yrs with extensions · starts 1 Mar 2027

What is being bought

Published requirement description

The National Audit Office (NAO) intends to procure an online subscription service that provides authoritative, current audit, accounting and financial-reporting information to support technical research, professional judgement and consistent audit delivery. The service is expected to support approximately 600 users across the Financial Audit Service Line.

The required service is expected to include:

• comprehensive access to relevant audit, accounting and financial-reporting standards, guidance, commentary and technical updates;

• coverage of UK GAAP, IFRS, international auditing standards, corporate reporting requirements and relevant sustainability reporting standards;

• prompt updates reflecting changes to standards, legislation, regulation and guidance;

• effective online research functionality, including search, filtering, linking and document access;

• an organisation-wide licensing model that supports the required user population without avoidable access barriers;

• secure online or SaaS delivery compatible with the NAO's technology environment;

• implementation support, user guidance, training and ongoing customer support; and

• clear information about any AI-enabled functionality, controls, limitations, data use, optionality and pricing.

Read the full description (428 more characters)

The anticipated contract term is three years, with two optional one-year extensions. The estimated maximum value is £600,000 including VAT over the full potential five-year term. The final scope, commercial model, contract value and procurement documents will be informed by market engagement and the subsequent competitive procurement exercise. This notice does not constitute a call for competition or a commitment to procure.

CPV: Information systems · Subscription services

The lotProcurement structure

single lot · no lot value published
Lot #1Lot 1PlannedRenewal 3 yrsSME
Contract period: 1 Mar 2027 — 28 Feb 2030 (3 yrs) · up to 5 yrs with extensionsEligibility: SME eligibleDelivery: London
Extensions
Extension options published
48810000 Information systems79980000 Subscription services

Procedure terms & legal framework

From the official record
Legal basis
UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023
Procurement category
Services
Notice status
Planned procurement
Procurement threshold
Above threshold (FTS publication)
Regulatory regime
Standard
Commercial structure
Stand-alone contract (no framework)
Competition type
Competitive procedure
GPA / WTO covered
Unspecified in notice
Recurring procurement
No (one-off requirement)
First published
15 Sept 2026, 13:16 BST
Last source update
15 Sept 2026, 13:16 BST
Latest notice
Preliminary market engagement notice (UK2)
Classification (CPV)
Information systemsSubscription services
Delivery area
London (UKI)
Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-06fa19

How it was run

Submission deadline

Timeline

3 published dates · Europe/London
  1. Planning notice published5 days ago
    15 Sept 2026, 13:16 BST
  2. Market engagementin 10 days
    1 Oct 2026, 00:59 BST
    The NAO has undertaken initial market research and supplier engagement to understand available solutions, market capability and commercial models. The findings have informed the development of the proposed procurement approach. The Authority is now undertaking a further phase of preliminary market more…engagement to identify potential suppliers, validate the proposed requirements and obtain feedback on the planned procurement strategy prior to commencing a competitive procurement process. The National Audit Office (NAO) is undertaking further preliminary market engagement in relation to its planned procurement for an Audit and Accounting Information Subscription Service. The purpose of this engagement is to: • identify suppliers interested in participating in a future procurement exercise; • validate the NAO's draft requirements and procurement approach; • understand any recent market developments, including emerging technologies and AI-enabled functionality; and • support the development of a fair, transparent and competitive procurement process. Suppliers wishing to participate are invited to submit an expression of interest by emailing [email protected] by the 30th of September 2026. Following receipt of expressions of interest, the NAO may: • issue a supplier questionnaire; • hold one-to-one supplier engagement meetings or demonstrations; • seek written feedback on draft requirements; Participation in this engagement exercise is voluntary. Information gathered will be used solely to inform the procurement strategy and tender documentation. This notice does not constitute a call for competition, and participation in this engagement will not provide any supplier with an advantage in any future procurement process.
  3. Contract startsin 161 days
    1 Mar 2027, 00:00 GMT

Commercial outcome & contract awards

Pipeline notice
Awards (0)
No award published
Contracts (0)
No contract published
Bid statistics
No aggregate bid statistics published

Notice history

1 event · 1 release on Find a Tender
  1. Preliminary market engagement notice published
    15 Sept 2026, 13:16 BSTUK2

Contracting authority & participating public bodies

National Audit Office

Contracting authorityPublic authority - central government GB-PPON: PBHM-8926-YDNL 157-197 Buckingham Palace Road, London, London, SW1W 9SP
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Official documents & specifications (1)

Official links; attachments are not copied

Notices published for this procedure