Find a TenderAwarded

Published 23 Dec 2021, 11:58 GMT

Official UK procurement notice

DBS Checks · UK public procurement notice

Official notice

Authority: Waythrough (Public body)·Consortium: 5 public authorities

Framework agreement7 lotsServicesOpen procedureSME suitable

Sectors: Business Services & Consultancy (79) Delivery: UKScotland (UKM)

Framework ceiling (notional)£1,000,000,000total for 7 lots · framework ceiling, not attributable revenue

Submissions closed 7 Feb 2022awarded 4 Dec 2025

Lots 7see the lot list below

Framework period 2 yrsends 3 Jul 2024 · extension options published · starts 4 Jul 2022

What is being bought7 lots · detail below

Published requirement description

Employment screening and background checking services

CPV: Assessment centre services for recruitment · Career guidance services · Forestry services · Horticultural services · Personnel and payroll services · Personnel services except placement and supply services · Personnel-training services · Placement services of personnel · Recruitment services · Staff development services · Supply services of personnel including temporary staff

How this framework works

From the published notice

Bids received: 127 bids received · 96 suppliers appointed
Framework period: 2 yrs from 4 Jul 2022

Lots and requirements (7)Procurement structure

7 lots · all with a published value · evaluation weights differ by lot

Lot #1Executive and Managerial Interim RecruitmentCancelled UK, Scotland 2 yrsPublished value£490,000,000

The Services to be provided by the Supplier are outlined below:

UK Criminal Record Checks (DBS)
UK Right to Work (Digital & Conditional)
Other background checks and services

Contract period: 4 Jul 2022 – 3 Jul 2024 (2 yrs)

Delivery: UK, Scotland · Tees Valley and Durham

Extensions: 48 month(s) from the commencement date, with 24 initial month(s) and option to extend 2x12 month(s)Variant bids: not allowed

77200000 Forestry services 77300000 Horticultural services

Lot #2Executive and Managerial Permanent RecruitmentCancelled UK 2 yrsPublished value£90,000,000

The main aim of this Lot is to allow Customers access to a quality assured resource of senior, managerial and experienced level staff on a permanent basis, as an alternative to using an interim or consultant under the scope of Lot 1. Additional information: This lot will also contain several sub-lots, to break down the requirement:

Lot 2a - Admin, HR & Business Support
Lot 2b - Blue Light & Emergency Services
Lot 2c - Commercial (Finance, Procurement & Legal)
Lot 2d - Education
Lot 2e - Health & Social Care
Lot 2f - IT, Digital, Media & Marketing

Contract period: 4 Jul 2022 – 3 Jul 2024 (2 yrs)

Delivery: UK

Extensions: The framework agreement has the option to extend for up to a further 24 months. The total estimated value stated in Section II.1.7 includes the option period.Variant bids: not allowed

79600000 Recruitment services 79610000 Placement services of personnel 79620000 Supply services of personnel including temporary staff

Lot #3Temporary Recruitment (sub £45k)Cancelled UK 2 yrsPublished value£160,000,000

The main aim of this Lot of the framework is to allow Customers access to a quality assured resource of generalist staff on a temporary basis across a number of types of role. Additional information: This lot is designed for ad-hoc or irregular temporary staffing requirements, and is not intended to allow for long term temporary staffing solutions (Master/Neutral Vendors), which are covered by our MSTAR3 agreement.

Contract period: 4 Jul 2022 – 3 Jul 2024 (2 yrs)

Delivery: UK

Extensions: The framework agreement has the option to extend for up to a further 24 months. The total estimated value stated in Section II.1.7 includes the option period.Variant bids: not allowed

79600000 Recruitment services 79610000 Placement services of personnel 79620000 Supply services of personnel including temporary staff

Lot #4Permanent Recruitment (sub £45k)Cancelled UK 2 yrsPublished value£20,000,000

The main aim of this Lot is to allow Customers access to a quality assured resource of generalist staff on a permanent basis across a number of types of role, as an alternative to using a Temporary Worker under the scope of Lot 3.

Contract period: 4 Jul 2022 – 3 Jul 2024 (2 yrs)

Delivery: UK

Extensions: The framework agreement has the option to extend for up to a further 24 months. The total estimated value stated in Section II.1.7 includes the option period.Variant bids: not allowed

79600000 Recruitment services 79610000 Placement services of personnel 79620000 Supply services of personnel including temporary staff 79630000 Personnel services except placement and supply services

Lot #5Assessment and Testing ServicesCancelled UK 2 yrsPublished value£35,000,000

The intention of including Assessment & Testing services on the framework is to allow Customers access to a choice of quality assured external specialists to assist them in identifying appropriate talent and taking forward deployment and development initiatives within their own organisations.

Contract period: 4 Jul 2022 – 3 Jul 2024 (2 yrs)

Delivery: UK

Extensions: The framework agreement has the option to extend for up to a further 24 months. The total estimated value stated in Section II.1.7 includes the option period.Variant bids: not allowed

79600000 Recruitment services 79630000 Personnel services except placement and supply services 79631000 Personnel and payroll services 79632000 Personnel-training services 79633000 Staff development services 79634000 Career guidance services

Lot #6Outplacement and Career Transition ServicesCancelled UK 2 yrsPublished value£5,000,000

This Lot has been established to provide outplacement and career transition services to Customers that may be in the process of re-deploying or making staff redundant. The purpose of the service will be to assist with the transition from an individual’s existing post to an alternative position or career, either with that same Customer or elsewhere - 'Career Transition'.

Contract period: 4 Jul 2022 – 3 Jul 2024 (2 yrs)

Delivery: UK

Extensions: The framework agreement has the option to extend for up to a further 24 months. The total estimated value stated in Section II.1.7 includes the option period.Variant bids: not allowed

79632000 Personnel-training services 79633000 Staff development services 79634000 Career guidance services 79635000 Assessment centre services for recruitment

Lot #7HR Business Process OutsourcingCancelled UK 2 yrsPublished value£200,000,000

The main aim of this Lot of the framework will be to appoint suitable Service Providers who are able to deliver a range of HR and personnel services that can either be accessed individually via the sub-lots, or combined by accessing the overarching Lot 7. Additional information: This lot will also contain several sub-lots, to break down the requirement:

Lot 7a - Recruitment Process Outsourcing
Lot 7b - Applicant Management
Lot 7c - Onboarding
Lot 7d - HR Administration
Lot 7e - Payroll
Lot 7f - Background Checks
Lot 7g - HR Consultancy
Lot 7h - Statement of Works

Contract period: 4 Jul 2022 – 3 Jul 2024 (2 yrs)

Delivery: UK

Extensions: The framework agreement has the option to extend for up to a further 24 months. The total estimated value stated in Section II.1.7 includes the option period.Variant bids: not allowed

79630000 Personnel services except placement and supply services 79631000 Personnel and payroll services 79632000 Personnel-training services 79633000 Staff development services

What it takes to win
i
How this buyer will score bids.
The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).

Evaluation split and conditions of participation as published; the tender pack may add more

How bids were scored

Lots publish different evaluation splits; there is no single procedure weighting.

Lot	Quality	Price	Social value
1 · Executive and Managerial Interim Recruitment	50%	50%	—
2 · Executive and Managerial Permanent Recruitment	60%	30%	10%
3 · Temporary Recruitment (sub £45k)	60%	30%	10%
4 · Permanent Recruitment (sub £45k)	60%	30%	10%
5 · Assessment and Testing Services	60%	30%	10%
6 · Outplacement and Career Transition Services	60%	30%	10%
7 · HR Business Process Outsourcing	60%	30%	10%

What this means for your bid

Price carries 30–50 points depending on the lot; most lots put it at 30 points.
“DBS Checks” is a framework: the contest is a place on its panel, not a single contract.

Price arithmetic assumes straight proportional scoring; the tender pack may use another formula.

Procedure terms & legal framework

From the official record · publisher note attached

Procedure method: Open procedure
Legal basis: CELEX · 32014L0024 Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (Directive 2014/24/EU)
Procurement category: Services
Notice status: Awarded
Procurement threshold: Unspecified in notice
Regulatory regime: Standard
Commercial structure: Framework agreement
Who may use this agreement: Not stated in the notice; call-off rights may be limited to the establishing authority
Competition type: Competitive procedure
GPA / WTO covered: Yes (GPA)
Recurring procurement: No (one-off requirement)
First published: 23 Dec 2021, 11:58 GMT
Last source update: 28 Jul 2026, 17:15 BST
Award evaluation window: 7 Feb 2022 – …
Authority reference: CA16776 -
FTS notice number: 2026/S 000-071447
Classification (CPV): Assessment centre services for recruitmentCareer guidance servicesForestry servicesHorticultural servicesPersonnel and payroll servicesPersonnel services except placement and supply servicesPersonnel-training servicesPlacement services of personnelRecruitment servicesStaff development services
+1 more
Supply services of personnel including temporary staff
Delivery area: UKScotland (UKM)
Official registry OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-03053a Find a Tender

Contract terms

Performance terms

The framework agreement will be suitable for SMEs.

Throughout the Term ESPO shall monitor the Service Providers’ financial standings against the Service Providers’ financial positions taken on the Commencement Date. In the event that a Service Provider’s financial position falls below the position recorded on the Commencement Date, ESPO shall discuss the Service Provider’s circumstances with the Service Provider.

ESPO reserves the right to terminate the Framework Agreement by serving notice on the Service Provider in writing with effect from the date specified in such notice where (in the reasonable opinion of ESPO) there is a material detrimental change in the financial standing of the Service Provider which:

adversely impacts on the Service Provider’s ability to provide the Services under this Agreement; or
could reasonably be expected to have an adverse impact on the Service Provider’s ability to provide the Services under this Agreement.

In particular, Service Providers will need to ensure that their organisation operates within a reasonable score as shall be determined by use of a credit rating agency.

Social Value will also be expected to be demonstrated from Service Providers and monitored throughout, particularly the right is reserved by ESPO to conduct audits in this area.

Review and risk notes

Review procedure: An economic operator that suffers, or is at risk of suffering, loss or damage attributable to a breach of duty under the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015 or the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 , may bring proceedings in the Sheriff Court or the Court of Session

Publisher note: (SC Ref:741958)

How it was run

Official notice

Run through: East Midlands Tendering

Supplier login requiredLanguage: EN

Access & registration note: Free regional portal

Appointment period ends: 7 Feb 2022, 12:00 GMT
Submission channel: {"electronicSubmission"}
Accepted languages: en
Bid validity: 90 days from the deadline
Bids opened: 7 Feb 2022, 12:00 GMT

Detailed submission instructions & authority contactsFrom official release

www.eastmidstenders.org ↗

Timeline

7 Feb 2022 → 28 Jul 2026 · 4 dates

Admission / appointment period endsperiod end, not a bid countdown
7 Feb 2022, 12:00 GMT
Bids opened
7 Feb 2022, 12:00 GMT
Contract starts
4 Jul 2022, 00:00 BST
Notice published84 days ago
28 Jul 2026, 17:15 BST

Notice history

7 events · 6 releases on Find a Tender · since 26 Jul 2022

Status changed to complete
26 Jul 2022, 12:42 BST
Buyer details updated
21 Feb 2023, 14:23 GMT
Buyer details updated
22 Aug 2023, 10:30 BST
Procurement method changed
13 Jun 2025, 13:32 BST
Buyer details updated
13 Jun 2025, 13:32 BST
Procurement method changed
28 Jul 2026, 17:15 BST
Buyer details updated
28 Jul 2026, 17:15 BST

Routine re-releases (6)

2023-02: 1 release · 21 Feb 2023
2022-07: 1 release · 26 Jul 2022
2021-12: 1 release · 23 Dec 2021

Commercial outcome & contract awards

Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast

Suppliers appointed 96admitted to the panel · see the list ↓

Bids received 12774 from SMEs

Contracts signed 20latest 4 Dec 2025

28 suppliers are admitted to this framework without individual award values or dates, see the supplier list below.

Contracts

All 7 of these contracts carry the same published figure, £25,000,000, the framework's maximum for the whole notice, not each contract's own value. They are not eleven separate sums.

DBS Checks
Signed
4 Dec 2025
Value
£568,197
Period
… – 3 Jul 2024
Status
active
The Provision of Educational Psychologists
Signed
13 Jun 2025
Value
£430,500
Period
… – 3 Jul 2024
Status
active
Contract 024588-2023-FLS-0086-C-1
Signed
11 Aug 2023
Value
£228,800
Period
… – 3 Jul 2024
Status
active
Contract 005188-2023-1
Signed
7 Nov 2022
Value
£65,000
Period
… – 3 Jul 2024
Status
active
Lot 1a - Admin, HR & Business Support (Lot 1 - Executive and Managerial Interim Recruitment)
Signed
7 Jul 2022
Value
£81,666,667
Status
active
Lot 2d - Education (Lot 2 - Executive and Managerial Permanent Recruitment)
Signed
7 Jul 2022
Value
£15,000,000
Status
active
Lot 2e - Health & Social Care (Lot 2 - Executive and Managerial Permanent Recruitment)
Signed
7 Jul 2022
Value
£15,000,000
Status
active
Lot 2f - IT, Digital, Media & Marketing (Lot 2 - Executive and Managerial Permanent Recruitment)
Signed
7 Jul 2022
Value
£15,000,000
Status
active
Lot 3 - Temporary Recruitment (sub £45k)
Signed
7 Jul 2022
Value
£160,000,000
Period
… – 3 Jul 2024
Status
active
Lot 4 - Permanent Recruitment (sub £45k)
Signed
7 Jul 2022
Value
£20,000,000
Period
… – 3 Jul 2024
Status
active
Lot 5 - Assessment and Testing Services
Signed
7 Jul 2022
Value
£35,000,000
Period
… – 3 Jul 2024
Status
active
Lot 6 - Outplacement and Career Transition Services
Signed
7 Jul 2022
Value
£5,000,000
Period
… – 3 Jul 2024
Status
active
Lot 7a - Recruitment Process Outsourcing (Lot 7 - HR Business Process Outsourcing)
Signed
7 Jul 2022
Value
ceiling above
Status
active
Lot 7b - Applicant Management (Lot 7 - HR Business Process Outsourcing)
Signed
7 Jul 2022
Value
ceiling above
Status
active
Lot 7c - Onboarding (Lot 7 - HR Business Process Outsourcing)
Signed
7 Jul 2022
Value
ceiling above
Status
active
Lot 1b - Blue Light & Emergency Services (Lot 1 - Executive and Managerial Interim Recruitment)
Signed
7 Jul 2022
Value
£81,666,667
Status
active
Lot 7d - HR Administration (Lot 7 - HR Business Process Outsourcing)
Signed
7 Jul 2022
Value
ceiling above
Status
active
Lot 7e - Payroll (Lot 7 - HR Business Process Outsourcing)
Signed
7 Jul 2022
Value
ceiling above
Status
active
Lot 7f - Background Checks (Lot 7 - HR Business Process Outsourcing)
Signed
7 Jul 2022
Value
ceiling above
Status
active
Lot 7g - HR Consultancy (Lot 7 - HR Business Process Outsourcing)
Signed
7 Jul 2022
Value
ceiling above
Status
active

Bid statistics published by the authority

Lot	Bids	SME	VCSE	Valid bid range
1 · Executive and Managerial Interim Recruitment	1bids · 1 electronic · 1 from abroad	0	—	—
3 · Temporary Recruitment (sub £45k)	127bids · 127 electronic · 1 from abroad	74	—	—
4 · Permanent Recruitment (sub £45k)	127bids · 127 electronic · 1 from abroad	74	—	—
5 · Assessment and Testing Services	127bids · 127 electronic · 1 from abroad	74	—	—
6 · Outplacement and Career Transition Services	127bids · 127 electronic · 1 from abroad	74	—	—
Whole notice	127bids · 127 electronic · 1 from abroad	74	—	—

Contracting authority & participating public bodies

5 public bodies on the notice

Waythrough

Contracting authorityPublic bodyBody governed by public lawSocial protection Inspiration House, Unit 22 Bowburn North Industrial Estate, Bowburn, North East, DH6 5PFContact email, phone

Consortium members and other public bodies

Cornwall CouncilContracting authorityRegional or local authorityGeneral public services Truro, UKContact name, email, phone
ESPOContracting authorityCentral purchasing bodyRegional or local authorityLocal Authority Services Leicester, East MidlandsContact name, email, phone Published organisation website ↗
Forestry and Land ScotlandContracting authorityBody governed by public lawEnvironmental protection Inverness, ScotlandContact email, phone
Leeds City CouncilContracting authorityRegional or local authorityGeneral public services171459162 Leeds, UKContact name, email, phone

Framework contractors & participating bidders

105 commercial parties on the notice · 50 awarded

The first 50 of 105 commercial parties (by name); the JSON mirror lists them all.

Accountants In DemandFramework contractor05470674 Edwards Veeder, 4 Broadgate, Broadway Business Park, Chadderton, Oldham, OL9 9XA, UK
Adecco UK Limited (t/a The Adecco Group)Framework contractor00593232 10 Bishops Square, London, E1 6EG, UK
Affinity Personnel LimitedFramework contractor08864784 Unit 03, Basepoint Business Centre, 377-399 London Road, Camberley, GU15 3HL, UK
Alpine Resourcing LimitedFramework contractor04934592 22 Tudor Street, London, EC4Y 0AY, UK
Amberjack Global LtdFramework contractor03907607 Newbury House, 20 Kings Road West, Newbury, Berkshire, RG14 5XR, UK
Anderson Quigley LimitedFramework contractor10653948 Tintagel House, 92 Albert Embankment, London, SE1 7TY, UK
Aspen People LtdFramework contractorSC413050 78 St Vincent Street, Glasgow, G2 5UB, UK
Attenti Consulting Services LtdFramework contractor06954218 5th Floor, 4 Coleman Street, London, EC2R 5AR, UK
Baltimore Consulting LimitedFramework contractor08387222 Ps21 3rd Floor, 21 Prince Street, Bristol, BS1 4PH, UK
Blue Arrow LtdFramework contractor00641659 800 The Boulevard, Capability Green, Luton, Bedfordshire, LU1 3BA, UK

Show 40 more suppliers

Burman Recruitment LimitedFramework contractor11517281 Regus, Jubilee House, 3 The Drive, Brentwood, CM13 3FR, UK
Campbell Tickell LtdFramework contractor04713939 5 Technology Park, Colindeep Lane, Colindale, London, NW9 6BX, UK
Capita Resourcing LimitedFramework contractor03949686 65 Gresham Street, London, EC2V 7NQ, UK
Capita Resourcing LimitedFramework contractor 03949686, 65 Gresham Street, UK, London, EC2V 7NQ
Caritas RecruitmentFramework contractor06728939 5th Floor, 4 Coleman Street, London, EC2R 5AR, UK
Carlisle Staffing PLCFramework contractor02873036 800 The Boulevard, Capability Green, Luton, Bedfordshire, LU1 3BA, UK
Carlisle Staffing PLCFramework contractor02873036 800 The Boulevard, Capability Green, Luton, LU1 3BA, UK
Castlefield Recruitment LimitedFramework contractor07279669 100 Wellington Street, Leeds, LS1 4LT, UK
Certes IT Service Solutions LimitedFramework contractor01697294 3 The Courtyard, Roman Way, Coleshill, Warwickshire, B46 1HQ, UK
Client Directs LimitedFramework contractor08140295 Partis House, Davy Avenue, Knowlhill, Milton Keynes, MK5 8HJ, UK
Cohesion Recruitment LimitedFramework contractor06714038 Stratford Court, Cranmore Boulevard, Solihull, B90 4QT, UK
Comensura LimitedFramework contractor04085767 800 The Boulevard, Capability Green, Luton, Bedfordshire, LU1 3BA, UK
Conflict Management Plus LimitedFramework contractor03880628 Low Farm, Brook Road, Bassingbourn, Hertfordshire, SG8 5NT, UK
Data Careers LimitedFramework contractor04622603 Second Floor, Langton & Moat House, Bird St, Lichfield, WS13 6PY, UK
Eden Brown LimitedFramework contractor03643845 5th Floor 4 Coleman Street, London, EC2R 5AR, UK
Eligo Recruitment LtdFramework contractor04154618 Suite 1 & 3 , Hatton House, 81-83 Hartfield Road, London, SW19 3ES, UK
Evisa Solutions LtdFramework contractor04671940 111 Charmouth Road, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL1 4SG, UK
Exemplia Group LtdFramework contractor08903847 Stocks Court, 18-20 Old Market Place, Altrincham, Cheshire, WA14 4DF, UK
Experis LimitedFramework contractor02114287 Second Floor, 6 New Bridge Street, London, EC4V 6AB, UK
Faerfield LtdFramework contractor11941797 Sidings House, Sidings Court, Lakeside, Doncaster, South Yorkshire, DN4 5NU, UK
GatenbySanderson LimitedFramework contractor04451141 14 King Street, Leeds, LS1 2HL, UK
Gi Recruitment LimitedFramework contractor02836088 Draefern House, Dunston Court, Dunston Road, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, S41 8NL, UK
Green Park Interim and Executive LtdFramework contractor05672094 Partnership House, 4th Floor, Carlisle Place, London, SW1P 1BX, UK
HCL Workforce Solutions LtdFramework contractor05790018 33 Soho Square, London, W1D 3QU, UK
HYLMANFramework contractor87854745400016 15 rue dupont de l'eure, 75020 Paris, FR
Hammond Clarke LtdFramework contractor06291815 The Lodge, Copthorne Road, Croxley Green, Rickmansworth, WD3 4AQ, UK
Hammond Clarke LtdFramework contractor06291815 The Lodge, Copthorne Road,, Croxley Green, Rickmansworth, WD3 4AQ, UK
Hampton's Resourcing LimitedFramework contractor08439682 Corner Oak, 1 Homer Road, Solihull, B91 3QG, UK
Harvey Nash Group LimitedFramework contractor03320790 3 Noble Street, London, EC2V 7EE, UK
Hays Specialist Recruitment LimitedFramework contractor00975677 4th Floor, 20 Triton Street, London, NW1 3BF, UK
INTELLIGENT RESOURCE LIMITEDFramework contractor01437998 First Floor, Clifton Down House, 54a Whiteladies Road, Clifton, Bristol, BS8 2NH, UK
Interim Partners Limited (trading as New Street Consulting Group)Framework contractor04599477 Level 15, 1 Angel Court, London, EC2R 7HJ, UK
Investigo LimitedFramework contractor04803377 10 Bishops Square, London, E1 6EG, UK
Ivy Rock Partners LtdFramework contractor12159333 Landmark Office Spaces, 105 Victoria Street, London, SW1E 6QT, UK
JGP Resourcing Ltd.Framework contractor07750971 132-134 College Road, Harrow, Middlesex, HA1 1BQ, UK
JSS Search LimitedFramework contractor08807205 The News Building, 3 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9SG, UK
James Andrews Recruitment Solutions LtdFramework contractor06834852 90 - 96 Clarendon Park Road, Clarendon Park, Leicester, LE2 3AE, UK
Liquid Personnel LimitedFramework contractor Liquid Personnel Limited whose registered office is 9 Appold Street, London, United Kingdom, EC2A 2AP, London, UK, EC2A
Liquid Personnel LimitedFramework contractor06155616 Building 1, Turnford Place, Great Cambridge Road, Turnford, Hertfordshire, EN10 6NH, UK
MATRIX SCM GROUP LTDFramework contractor10071010 2nd Floor Partis House, Knowlhill, Milton Keynes, MK5 8HJ, UK

Official documents & specifications (2)

Official links; attachments are not copied

Tender pack and attachments

Economic and financial selection criteriatenderEconomic and financial selection criteria
Technical selection criteriatenderTechnical selection criteria

What is being bought7 lots · detail below

How this framework works

Lots and requirements (7)Procurement structure

What it takes to winiHow this buyer will score bids.The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).

Procedure terms & legal framework

How it was run

Timeline

Notice history

Commercial outcome & contract awards

Contracting authority & participating public bodies

Framework contractors & participating bidders

Official documents & specifications (2)

What it takes to win
i
How this buyer will score bids.
The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).