TenderlineUK
Procurement Intelligence
Search
Find a TenderAwardedContract details notice
Published 8 Apr 2026, 13:22 BST

Official UK procurement notice

ID 6194064 - DfE Invest NI - Economics Services Framework Agreement

Official notice

Authority: Invest Northern Ireland (Central government)·On behalf of: CPD

Framework agreement3 lotsServicesOpen procedureAbove thresholdSME suitable
Sectors: Business Services & Consultancy (79) Delivery: Northern Ireland (UKN)
Framework ceiling (notional)£2,000,000total for 3 lots · framework ceiling, not attributable revenue
Submissions closed 12 May 2026awarded 6 Aug 2026
Awarded to ChamberlainWalker Economics Ltd +13 more3 awards
Framework period 2 yrsends 31 May 2028 · up to 31 May 2030 with extensions · starts 1 Jun 2026

What is being bought3 lots · detail below

Published requirement description

Invest Northern Ireland (Invest NI) is Northern Ireland's economic development agency, sponsored by the Department for the Economy. Invest NI's role is to grow the local economy by helping new and existing businesses to compete internationally and by attracting new investment to Northern Ireland.

Invest NI have established an Economic Services Framework Agreement to cover Economic Advice for Casework, Business Case and Evaluation Support and Post project Evaluations.

The Framework will operate from the date of award for a period of 2 years with one option to extend for any period up to and including 24 months.

CPV: Business and management consultancy and related services · Business and management consultancy services · Economic impact assessment · Evaluation consultancy services · Financial management consultancy services

How this framework works

From the published notice
Type
Closed framework
Call-offs
call-offs may be awarded directly or by further competition
Bids received
9 bids on the busiest of 3 lots · 14 suppliers appointed
Framework period
2 yrs · up to 4 yrs from 1 Jun 2026
Published description of the framework

LOT 1 - ECONOMIC ADVICE FOR CASEWORK

For Lot 1, Invest NI have appointed 5 Suppliers. These suppliers have been ranked 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 after formal tender evaluation, in line with the criteria stipulated within the Instructions to Tender document.

When Invest NI wishes to commission work under Lot 1, assignments will be offered to the Supplier ranked 1.

The Supplier ranked 2 will be offered a commission in the event of

(a) A conflict of interest for Supplier ranked 1 or

(b) Supplier ranked 1 not having the capacity to deliver a project within the required timeframe or

(c) Supplier ranked 1 having been suspended or removed from the framework.

Supplier ranked 3 will be offered a commission in the event that either (a) and/or (b) and/or (c) applies to Suppliers ranked 1 and ranked 2 and so on.

LOT 2 - BUSINESS CASES AND EVALUATIONS

For Lot 2, Invest NI have appointed a list of 9 Suppliers after formal tender evaluation, in line with the criteria stipulated within the Instructions to Tenderers document.

Invest NI will commission work under Lot 2 by secondary competitions, which will be issued to all the Suppliers on the Lot 2 list. These assignments will be commissioned as separate Business Cases and Evaluations, or as combined Evaluation/Business Case contracts.

LOT 3 - POST PROJECT EVALUATIONS

For Lot 3, Invest NI have appointed 5 Suppliers. These suppliers have been ranked 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 after formal tender evaluation, in line with the criteria stipulated within the Instructions to Tender document.

When Invest NI wishes to commission work under Lot 3, assignments will be offered to the Supplier ranked 1.

The Supplier ranked 2 will be offered a commission in the event of

(a) A conflict of interest for Supplier ranked 1 or

(b) Supplier ranked 1 not having the capacity to deliver a project within the required timeframe or

(c) Supplier ranked 1 having been suspended or removed from the framework.

Supplier ranked 3 will be offered a commission in the event that either (a) and/or (b) and/or (c) applies to Suppliers ranked 1 and ranked 2 and so on.

Lots and requirements (3)Procurement structure

3 lots · all with a published value · same conditions of participation on every lot
Lot #1Economic Advice for CaseworkAwardedRenewal 2 yrsSMEPublished value£300,000

The source published no individual description for this lot.

Contract period: 1 Jun 2026 – 31 May 2028 (2 yrs) · up to 31 May 2030 with extensionsValue: £300,000 exc. VAT · £360,000 inc. VAT
Delivery: Northern IrelandEligibility: SME eligible
Extensions: Following the initial contract period, there is 1 potential extension period of up to 24 months. This optional extension period will be subject to review and satisfactory performance assessment by the Contracting Authority.
79311410 Economic impact assessment79400000 Business and management consultancy and related services79410000 Business and management consultancy services79412000 Financial management consultancy services79419000 Evaluation consultancy services
Pre-qualification & selection criteria (PQQ)1
  • Technical & professional ability

    CoP1 - Proposed Team Qualifications

Lot #2Business Cases and EvaluationsAwardedRenewal 2 yrsSMEPublished value£1,500,000

The source published no individual description for this lot.

Contract period: 1 Jun 2026 – 31 May 2028 (2 yrs) · up to 31 May 2030 with extensionsValue: £1,500,000 exc. VAT · £1,800,000 inc. VAT
Delivery: Northern IrelandEligibility: SME eligible
Extensions: Following the initial contract period, there is 1 potential extension period of up to 24 months. This optional extension period will be subject to review and satisfactory performance assessment by the Contracting Authority.
79311410 Economic impact assessment79400000 Business and management consultancy and related services79410000 Business and management consultancy services79412000 Financial management consultancy services79419000 Evaluation consultancy services
Pre-qualification & selection criteria (PQQ)1
  • Technical & professional ability

    CoP1 - Proposed Team Qualifications

Lot #3Post Project EvaluationsAwardedRenewal 2 yrsSMEPublished value£150,000

The source published no individual description for this lot.

Contract period: 1 Jun 2026 – 31 May 2028 (2 yrs) · up to 31 May 2030 with extensionsValue: £150,000 exc. VAT · £180,000 inc. VAT
Delivery: Northern IrelandEligibility: SME eligible
Extensions: Following the initial contract period, there is 1 potential extension period of up to 24 months. This optional extension period will be subject to review and satisfactory performance assessment by the Contracting Authority.
79311410 Economic impact assessment79400000 Business and management consultancy and related services79410000 Business and management consultancy services79412000 Financial management consultancy services79419000 Evaluation consultancy services
Pre-qualification & selection criteria (PQQ)1
  • Technical & professional ability

    CoP1 - Proposed Team Qualifications

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
Conditions of participation · identical on every lot1
  • Technical & professional ability

    CoP1 - Proposed Team Qualifications

What this means for your bid
  • “ID 6194064 - DfE Invest NI - Economics Services Framework Agreement” is a framework: the contest is a place on its panel, not a single contract: call-offs may be direct or by further competition.

Procedure terms & legal framework

From the official record
Procedure method
Open procedure
Legal basis
UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023
Procurement category
Services
Notice status
Awarded
Procurement threshold
Above threshold (FTS publication)
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
Unspecified in notice
First published
8 Apr 2026, 13:22 BST
Last source update
10 Sept 2026, 17:25 BST
Award evaluation window
Submission end – 25 May 2026
Authority reference
ID 6194064
FTS notice number
2026/S 000-031935
Latest notice
Contract details notice (UK7)
Classification (CPV)
Business and management consultancy and related servicesBusiness and management consultancy servicesEconomic impact assessmentEvaluation consultancy servicesFinancial management consultancy services
Delivery area
Northern Ireland (UKN)
Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-067df7 Find a Tender

How it was run

Official notice
Run through: eTendersNI · Who buys & how to bid on eTendersNI
Supplier login requiredElectronic submission allowedLanguage: EN
Access & registration note: Free Northern Ireland registration
Appointment period ends
12 May 2026, 15:00 BST
Clarification deadline
1 May 2026, 15:00 BST
Submission channel
Official e-sourcing portal
Electronic submission
Allowed
Accepted languages
en
Detailed submission instructions & authority contactsFrom official release

Tenders must be submitted electronically via the relevant Call for Tender (CfT) opportunity on eTendersNI, website details immediately below.

Paper submissions will not be accepted or considered and will be rejected by the Contracting Authority / Buyer.

The tender documents are available with unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at: URL etendersni.gov.uk/epps ↗

Timeline

8 Apr 2026 → 10 Sept 2026 · 8 dates
  1. Tender notice published197 days ago
    8 Apr 2026, 13:22 BST
  2. Clarification questions by174 days ago
    1 May 2026, 15:00 BST
  3. Admission / appointment period ends163 days ago · period end, not a bid countdown
    12 May 2026, 15:00 BST
  4. Award decision expected by149 days ago
    25 May 2026, 23:59 BST
  5. Contract starts143 days ago
    1 Jun 2026, 00:00 BST
  6. Assessment summaries sent77 days ago
    6 Aug 2026, 00:00 BST
  7. Standstill ends64 days ago
    18 Aug 2026, 23:59 BST
  8. Latest notice published42 days ago
    10 Sept 2026, 17:25 BST

Notice history

5 events · 3 releases on Find a Tender · since 8 Apr 2026
  1. Tender notice published
    8 Apr 2026, 13:22 BST
    UK4
  2. Contract award notice published
    7 Aug 2026, 11:29 BST
    UK6
  3. Status changed to complete
    7 Aug 2026, 11:29 BST
  4. Contract signature expected
    19 Aug 2026, 23:59 BST
    scheduled
  5. Contract details notice published
    10 Sept 2026, 17:25 BST
    UK7

Commercial outcome & contract awards

Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast
Suppliers appointed 143 awards · see the list ↓
Bids received 99 from SMEs · busiest of 3 lots
Contracts signed 3latest 27 Aug 2026
Awarded toValueDateStatus
Lot 1 · Economic Advice for Casework1 award
ChamberlainWalker Economics LtdSME, Cogent Management Consulting LLP, ERNST & YOUNG LLP, Ernst and Young LLP, GRANT THORNTON NI LLPSME, PRAGMATIX ADVISORY LIMITED20 Aug 2026 – 19 Aug 2028 · up to 19 Aug 2030Extensions: Following the initial contract period, there is 1 potential extension period of up to 24 months. This optional extension period will be subject to review and satisfactory performance assessment by the Contracting Authority.£300,0006 Aug 2026Awarded
Lot 2 · Business Cases and Evaluations1 award
AMION Consulting Limited, ChamberlainWalker Economics LtdSME, ECONOMIC RESEARCH SERVICES LIMITED T/A Fortia Insight, GC Insight LtdSME, LMK ADVISORY LTDSME, Metro Dynamics LimitedSME +3 more20 Aug 2026 – 19 Aug 2028 · up to 19 Aug 2030Extensions: Following the initial contract period, there is 1 potential extension period of up to 24 months. This optional extension period will be subject to review and satisfactory performance assessment by the Contracting Authority.£1,500,0006 Aug 2026Awarded
Lot 3 · Post Project Evaluations1 award
AMION Consulting Limited, Cogent Management Consulting LLP, ECONOMIC RESEARCH SERVICES LIMITED T/A Fortia Insight, ERNST & YOUNG LLP, Ernst and Young LLP, Logica Consultancy20 Aug 2026 – 19 Aug 2028 · up to 19 Aug 2030Extensions: Following the initial contract period, there is 1 potential extension period of up to 24 months. This optional extension period will be subject to review and satisfactory performance assessment by the Contracting Authority.£150,0006 Aug 2026Awarded

Contracts

Bid statistics published by the authority

LotBidsSMEVCSEValid bid range
1 · Economic Advice for Casework5final-stage tenders · 7 at stage one40—
2 · Business Cases and Evaluations9final-stage tenders · 16 at stage one91—
3 · Post Project Evaluations5final-stage tenders · 8 at stage one40—

Contracting authority & participating public bodies

3 public bodies on the notice

Invest Northern Ireland

Contracting authorityPublic authority - central governmentNorthern Irish devolved regulations apply GB-PPON: PLTC-4224-XGDP Bedford Square, Belfast, Northern Ireland, BT2 7ESContact email

Other public bodies

  • CPDBeneficiary authority
  • CPD - Supplies & Services DivisionProcess contact pointProcuring entityConstruction and Procurement Delivery - Supplies and Services Division, is a Centre of Procurement Expertise and provides a central procurement function for central government in Northern Ireland.GB-PPON: PVWG-8426-YWXV BELFAST, Northern IrelandContact email

Framework contractors & participating bidders

25 commercial parties on the notice
  • AMION CONSULTING LIMITEDFramework contractorGB-COH: 03909897GB-PPON: PVMD-6397-DJGW C/O Langtons 11th Floor, Liverpool, North West, L3 9QJContact email
  • AMION CONSULTING LTDFramework contractorGB-PPON: PVMD-6397-DJGW C/O Langtons 11th Floor, Liverpool, North West, L3 9QJContact email
  • CHAMBERLAINWALKER ECONOMICS LIMITEDFramework contractorGB-COH: 10309007GB-PPON: PTMC-1394-QNXQ 10 Lowood Court Farquhar Road, London, London, SE19 1SWContact email
  • CHAMBERLAINWALKER ECONOMICS LIMITEDFramework contractorGB-PPON: PTMC-1394-QNXQ 10 Lowood Court Farquhar Road, London, London, SE19 1SWContact email
  • COGENT MANAGEMENT CONSULTING LLPFramework contractorGB-COH: NC000490GB-PPON: PWVJ-7638-DDWH 169 University Street, Belfast, Northern Ireland, BT7 1HRContact email
  • COGENT MANAGEMENT CONSULTING LLPFramework contractorGB-PPON: PWVJ-7638-DDWH 169 University Street, Belfast, Northern Ireland, BT7 1HRContact email
  • ECONOMIC RESEARCH SERVICES LIMITED t/a Fortia InsightFramework contractorGB-COH: 02937576GB-PPON: PJGB-6455-RZVH Spring Lodge 172 Chester Road, Cheshire, North West, WA6 0ARContact email
  • ECONOMIC RESEARCH SERVICES LIMITED t/a Fortia InsightFramework contractorGB-PPON: PJGB-6455-RZVH Spring Lodge 172 Chester Road, Cheshire, North West, WA6 0ARContact email
  • ERNST & YOUNG LLPFramework contractorGB-COH: OC300001GB-PPON: PMLW-7292-ZXTL 1 More London Place, London, London, SE1 2AFContact email
  • ERNST & YOUNG LLPFramework contractorGB-PPON: PMLW-7292-ZXTL 1 More London Place, London, London, SE1 2AFContact email
Show 15 more suppliers
  • GC INSIGHT LIMITEDFramework contractorGB-COH: 03162288GB-PPON: PDHQ-2726-MPXT Lee House, Manchester, North West, M1 5JWContact email
  • GC Insight LimitedFramework contractorGB-PPON: PDHQ-2726-MPXT Lee House, Manchester, North West, M1 5JWContact email
  • GRANT THORNTON (NI) LLPFramework contractorGB-COH: NC001123GB-PPON: PTMZ-3467-ZTXT 12-15 Donegall Square West, Belfast, Northern Ireland, BT1 6JHContact email
  • GRANT THORNTON NI LLPFramework contractorGB-PPON: PCXV-4985-DYNN 12-15 Donegall Square West, Belfast, Northern Ireland, BT1 6JHContact email
  • LMK ADVISORY LTDFramework contractorGB-COH: NI670546GB-PPON: PJDY-2844-VRBW Titanic Suites, Belfast, Northern Ireland, BT2 8FEContact email
  • LMK ADVISORY LTDFramework contractorGB-PPON: PJDY-2844-VRBW Titanic Suites, Belfast, Northern Ireland, BT2 8FEContact email
  • Logica ConsultancyFramework contractorGB-PPON: PJGL-3813-VNCD 33 Kilwarlin Avenue, Hillsborough, Northern Ireland, BT26 6LQContact email
  • METRO DYNAMICS LIMITEDFramework contractorGB-COH: 09422707GB-PPON: PWRH-9835-QRRM Finlaison House, 15-17 Furnival Street, London, London, EC4A 1ABContact email
  • METRO DYNAMICS LIMITEDFramework contractorGB-PPON: PWRH-9835-QRRM Finlaison House, 15-17 Furnival Street, London, London, EC4A 1ABContact email
  • OCO GLOBAL LIMITEDFramework contractorGB-COH: NI045268GB-PPON: PTGM-2832-QWWL 6 Citylink Business Park, Belfast, Northern Ireland, BT12 4HBContact email
  • OCO GLOBAL LTDFramework contractorGB-PPON: PTGM-2832-QWWL 6 Citylink Business Park, Belfast, Northern Ireland, BT12 4HBContact email
  • PRAGMATIX ADVISORY LIMITEDFramework contractorGB-COH: 12403422GB-PPON: PQMN-2742-VWPP 146 New London Road, Chelmsford, East of England, CM2 0AWContact email
  • PRAGMATIX ADVISORY LIMITEDFramework contractorGB-PPON: PQMN-2742-VWPP 146 New London Road, Chelmsford, East of England, CM2 0AWContact email
  • SQW LIMITEDFramework contractorGB-COH: 01701564GB-PPON: PPNW-1129-JJYW SQW, Oxford Centre for Innovation, Blue Boar Court, 9 Alfred Street, Oxford, South East, OX1 4EHContact email
  • SQW LTDFramework contractorGB-PPON: PPNW-1129-JJYW SQW, Oxford Centre for Innovation, Blue Boar Court, 9 Alfred Street, Oxford, South East, OX1 4EHContact email

Official documents & specifications (7)

Official links; attachments are not copied

Notices published for this procedure

  • Contract details notice contractContract details noticeUK7Contract details notice on Find a Tender
  • Contract details notice contractContract details noticeUK7Contract details notice on Find a Tender
  • Contract details notice contractContract details noticeUK7Contract details notice on Find a Tender
  • Contract award notice awardContract award noticeUK6Contract award notice on Find a Tender
  • Contract award notice awardContract award noticeUK6Contract award notice on Find a Tender
  • Contract award notice awardContract award noticeUK6Contract award notice on Find a Tender
  • Tender notice tenderTender noticeUK4Tender notice on Find a Tender