Official UK procurement notice
Internal Audit Specialists Framework
Authority: Essex County Council (Local council)
What is being bought4 lots · detail below
Published requirement descriptionThe scope of this requirement is to create a Framework of Internal Audit Specialists to support ECC's existing Internal Audit function in providing independent, objective assurance and consulting services for the council.
It is proposed that the Framework would be procured on terms which would allow access for Unitary, City, Borough and District Councils. These Contracting Bodies will be responsible for ordering of, and payment for, their own services through this agreement.
The Framework will be split into the following Lots.
Lot 1 - Contract Audits
Lot 2 - Project and Programme Audits
Lot 3 - Technology Specialists
Lot 4 - General Audits
Bidders can bid for any Lot or all Lots if they can meet the requirements.
Successful bidders will be placed on a ranking list which will be based on the total score awarded following the evaluation of bids received (Please refer to the Bidder Guidance for
details on the evaluation process).
The requirements will be met through a capability assessment process, as and when a new requirement is identified the capability assessment will be issued to the top ranked bidder in the specific Lot under which the requirement sits. Where that bidder is unable to meet the requirement, the next ranked bidder will be issued the capability assessment and so on until a bidder is chosen.
Any Contracting Body using this Framework shall abide by the same process for fulfilling their requirements.
The initial term of the Framework is three (3) years with an option to extend for a further period of 12months.
The government's English Devolution White Paper, Power and Partnership: Foundations for Growth, published on 16 December 2024, states that the government wants all remaining two-tier areas in England to be eventually restructured into single-tier unitary authorities and is termed Local Government Reorganisation (LGR). This reorganisation is part of a broader devolution strategy to simplify local government structures, save public funds, and improve local accountability. LGR will impact the County of Essex as it currently operates a two-tier Local Government structure.
It is anticipated, that during the life of this framework, the LGR process will commence and/or progress potentially impacting this framework. Impacts may include, but are not limited to, modifications such as a transfer of the legal entity you currently contract with, significant increases and/or decreases in the services required due to the change in size/scope of the Contracting Authority, and/or changes to the scope of the nature of services required. Although any contract scope changes should broadly relate to the nature of the existing scope, new services of a related nature may be required that werenot previously included.
The scale and exact timing of the changes are unknown at this point, but it is known that LGR will impact the County of Essex. All suppliers who work with the Authority need to be aware and where possible, work with the Authority to adapt to any changes/modifications as required to ensure smooth transition and continuity of services.
- No preliminary market engagement: Early engagement notice published September 2024 on Contracts Finder to explore opportunities to develop how it can meet its requirements for Contract and Procurement Specialist Auditor work.
CPV: Internal audit services
How this framework works
From the published notice- Type
- Open framework
- Call-offs
- call-offs are awarded directly to appointed suppliers, without further competition
- Bids received
- 15 bids on the busiest of 4 lots · 21 suppliers appointed
- Framework period
- 3 yrs · up to 4 yrs from 5 Dec 2025
- Buyer regions
- UKH3
Who may buy through it
Basildon Borough Council
Braintree District Council
Brentwood Borough Council
Castle Point Borough Council
Chelmsford City Council
Colchester City Council
Epping Forest District Council
Harlow Council
Maldon District Council
Rochford Council
Tendring District Council
Uttlesford District Council
Thurrock Council
Southend-on-Sea City Council
Published description of the framework
Successful bidders will be placed on a ranking list which will be based on the total score awarded following the evaluation of bids received.
The requirements will be met through a capability assessment process, as and when a new requirement is identified the capability assessment will be issued to the top ranked bidder in the specific Lot under which the requirement sits. Where that bidder is unable to meet the requirement, the next ranked bidder will be issued the capability assessment and so on until a bidder is chosen.
The capability assessment is based on the provider's availability, work within a set budget and meet the statement of works.
Lots and requirements (4)Procurement structure
4 lots · all with a published value · same evaluation weights on every lotEvery one of these 4 lots carries the same published figure, £118,750: it is the framework's maximum for the whole notice, not each lot's own budget, and no share per lot is published. The cards below say ceiling above rather than repeat it.
Lot #1Contract AuditsAwardedRenewalceiling above
These audits scrutinise third-party contracts and procurement activities to ensure value for money, compliance with terms, and effective contract management. They may include supplier performance reviews, contract lifecycle assessments, and post-award evaluations.
Recommended Qualifications:
- CIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply) qualification.
- Legal or commercial contract management certification.
- Internal audit qualification with procurement audit experience.
Expertise:
- Deep understanding of contract lifecycle, procurement regulations, and supplier performance.
- Experience in post-award audits, value-for-money assessments, and compliance reviews.
- Ability to identify risks and inefficiencies in third-party arrangements.
Lot #2Project and Programme AuditsAwardedRenewalceiling above
These audits evaluate the effectiveness of project and programme management practices. They assess delivery against objectives, budget control, governance structures, risk management, and benefits realisation. Suitable for capital programmes, transformation initiatives, and strategic projects.
Recommended Qualifications:
- PRINCE2 Practitioner or MSP (Managing Successful Programmes).
- APM PMQ or equivalent project management qualification.
- Internal audit qualification (CIA, CMIIA) with project audit experience.
Expertise:
- Experience auditing large-scale programmes and transformation initiatives.
- Understanding of project governance, risk management, and benefits realisation.
- Ability to assess delivery against objectives, timelines, and budgets.
Lot #3Technology Specialist AuditsAwardedRenewalceiling above
Focused on IT systems, digital services, cybersecurity, data governance, and infrastructure. These audits require specialist knowledge to assess risks related to system integrity, data protection, and technology resilience. They may include penetration testing, system configuration reviews, and IT project assurance.
Recommended Qualifications:
- Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA).
- ISO 27001 Lead Auditor or equivalent.
- Cyber Essentials or similar accreditation.
Expertise:
- Proficiency in IT risk assessment, cybersecurity, and data governance.
- Experience with auditing cloud platforms, infrastructure, and digital services.
- Knowledge of public sector IT compliance and digital transformation.
Lot #4General AuditsAwardedRenewalceiling above
These audits cover broad assurance activities across ECC's operations, including governance, risk management, and internal controls. They assess compliance with policies, procedures, and regulations, and provide recommendations for improvement. Typical areas may include Finance, HR, and operational processes.
Recommended Qualifications:
- Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors (CIA) qualification or equivalent.
- ACCA, CIPFA, or ICAEW membership with internal audit experience.
- Demonstrable experience in public sector internal auditing.
Expertise:
- Strong understanding of governance, risk, and control frameworks.
- Experience auditing core business functions (e.g., finance, HR, procurement).
- Ability to produce clear, evidence-based audit reports and recommendations.
What it takes to wini
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 morei
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).
Published award criteria (2)
- Price
- Quality
- Price carries 30 of 100 points: a 10% discount moves about 3 points. The method statement decides this lot, not the discount.
- “Internal Audit Specialists Framework” is a framework: the contest is a place on its panel, not a single contract, and call-offs are awarded directly: getting appointed is the whole game.
Price arithmetic assumes straight proportional scoring; the tender pack may use another formula.
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
- Basildon Borough Council Braintree District Council Brentwood Borough Council Castle Point Borough Council Chelmsford City Council Colchester City Council Epping Forest District Council Harlow Council Maldon District Council Rochford Council Tendring District Council Uttlesford District Council Thurrock Council Southend-on-Sea City Council
- Competition type
- Competitive procedure
- GPA / WTO covered
- Yes (GPA)
- Recurring procurement
- Unspecified in notice
- First published
- 7 Oct 2025, 09:32 BST
- Last source update
- 18 Mar 2026, 15:18 GMT
- Award evaluation window
- Submission end – 20 Nov 2025
- Authority reference
E005PA- FTS notice number
2025/S 000-062709- Latest notice
- Contract details notice (UK7)
- Classification (CPV)
- Delivery area
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-05a92cFind a Tender
How it was run
Official notice- Appointment period ends
- 6 Nov 2025, 16:00 GMT
- Clarification deadline
- 21 Oct 2025, 17:00 BST
- Submission channel
- Official e-sourcing portal
- Electronic submission
- Allowed
- Accepted languages
- en
Your ITT (including PSQ) submission must be submitted to the Authority electronically by publishing through this ITT (including PSQ) DN789700 E005PA Internal Audit Specialist Framework at procontract.due-north.com/Login ↗
Timeline
7 Oct 2025 → 18 Mar 2026 · 7 dates- Tender notice published380 days ago7 Oct 2025, 09:32 BST
- Clarification questions by366 days ago21 Oct 2025, 17:00 BST
- Admission / appointment period ends350 days ago · period end, not a bid countdown6 Nov 2025, 16:00 GMT
- Award decision expected by335 days ago20 Nov 2025, 23:59 GMT
- Assessment summaries sent331 days ago25 Nov 2025
- Contract starts321 days ago5 Dec 2025
- Latest notice published218 days ago18 Mar 2026, 15:18 GMT
Notice history
5 events · 3 releases on Find a Tender · since 7 Oct 2025- Tender notice published7 Oct 2025, 09:32 BSTUK4
- Contract award notice published25 Nov 2025, 20:24 GMTUK6
- Status changed to complete25 Nov 2025, 20:24 GMT
- Contract signature expected15 Dec 2025, 23:59 GMTscheduled
- Contract details notice published18 Mar 2026, 15:18 GMTUK7
Commercial outcome & contract awards
Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast£118,750 is the framework's published maximum, restated by the publisher on 4 award rows. It is one ceiling, not 4 separate sums, and no share per lot is published; those rows read “ceiling above”.
| Awarded to | Value | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lot 1 · Contract Audits1 award | |||
| BDO LLP, C-F BUSINESS LINKS LIMITED, CPP ADVISORY LLP, HW Controls & Assurance LtdSME, Mazars LLP, Menzies LLP +2 more22 Dec 2025 – 21 Dec 2028 · up to 21 Dec 2029Extensions: Where the authority decides that services are still required. | ceiling above | 24 Nov 2025 | Awarded |
| Lot 2 · Project and Programme Audits1 award | |||
| AG PROJECT GROUP LTD, C-F BUSINESS LINKS LIMITED, CPP ADVISORY LLP, MHA Audit Services LLP (Trading as MHA), Mazars LLP, ONE EIGHTY ADVISORY LIMITED +9 more22 Dec 2025 – 21 Dec 2028 · up to 21 Dec 2029Extensions: Where the Authority deems it is necessary to continue with the services | ceiling above | 24 Nov 2025 | Awarded |
| Lot 3 · Technology Specialist Audits1 award | |||
| C-F BUSINESS LINKS LIMITED, MHA Audit Services LLP (Trading as MHA), Mazars LLP, Menzies LLP, PRINCIPLE DEFENCE LTD, SWAP Internal Audit +9 moreLot 3 - Technology Specialists22 Dec 2025 – 21 Dec 2028 · up to 21 Dec 2029Extensions: Where the Authority deems that there is still a requirement for these services. | ceiling above | 24 Nov 2025 | Awarded |
| Lot 4 · General Audits1 award | |||
| BDO LLP, C-F BUSINESS LINKS LIMITED, Littlechild & Haley LtdSME, MHA Audit Services LLP (Trading as MHA), Mazars LLP, Menzies LLP +4 more22 Dec 2025 – 21 Dec 2028 · up to 21 Dec 2029Extensions: Where the Authority deems it necessary to continue the services | ceiling above | 24 Nov 2025 | Awarded |
Contracts
All 4 of these contracts carry the same published figure, £118,750, the framework's maximum for the whole notice, not each contract's own value. They are not eleven separate sums.
Lot 1. Contract Audits · BDO LLP, C-F BUSINESS LINKS LIMITED, CPP ADVISORY LLP, HW Controls & Assurance LtdSME, Mazars LLP, Menzies LLP +2 more
- Signed
- 16 Dec 2025
- Value
- ceiling above
- Period
- 22 Dec 2025 – 21 Dec 2028 · up to 21 Dec 2029 with extensions
- Status
- active
- Extensions
- Option to extend for 12 months at the sole discretion of Essex County Council
Lot 2. Project and Programme Audits · AG PROJECT GROUP LTD, C-F BUSINESS LINKS LIMITED, CPP ADVISORY LLP, MHA Audit Services LLP (Trading as MHA), Mazars LLP, ONE EIGHTY ADVISORY LIMITED +9 more
- Signed
- 16 Dec 2025
- Value
- ceiling above
- Period
- 22 Dec 2025 – 21 Dec 2028 · up to 21 Dec 2029 with extensions
- Status
- active
- Extensions
- Option to extend for 12 months at the sole discretion of Essex County Council
Lot 3. Technology Specialist Audits · C-F BUSINESS LINKS LIMITED, MHA Audit Services LLP (Trading as MHA), Mazars LLP, Menzies LLP, PRINCIPLE DEFENCE LTD, SWAP Internal Audit +9 more
- Signed
- 16 Dec 2025
- Value
- ceiling above
- Period
- 22 Dec 2025 – 21 Dec 2028 · up to 21 Dec 2029 with extensions
- Status
- active
- Extensions
- Option to extend for 12 months at the sole discretion of Essex County Council
Lot 4. General Audits · BDO LLP, C-F BUSINESS LINKS LIMITED, Littlechild & Haley LtdSME, MHA Audit Services LLP (Trading as MHA), Mazars LLP, Menzies LLP +4 more
- Signed
- 16 Dec 2025
- Value
- ceiling above
- Period
- 22 Dec 2025 – 21 Dec 2028 · up to 21 Dec 2029 with extensions
- Status
- active
- Extensions
- Option to extend for 12 months at the sole discretion of Essex County Council
Bid statistics published by the authority
| Lot | Bids | SME | VCSE | Valid bid range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 · Contract Audits | 8final-stage tenders | 5 | 0 | — |
| 2 · Project and Programme Audits | 14final-stage tenders | 10 | 0 | — |
| 3 · Technology Specialist Audits | 15final-stage tenders | 10 | 0 | — |
| 4 · General Audits | 10final-stage tenders | 6 | 0 | — |
Contracting authority & participating public bodies
Framework contractors & participating bidders
21 commercial parties on the notice- AG PROJECT GROUP LTDFramework contractor
- AGILE PROJECT DELIVERY LTDFramework contractor
- ATHENA P3M LTDFramework contractor
- BDO LLPFramework contractor
- C-F BUSINESS LINKS LIMITEDFramework contractor
- CPP ADVISORY LLPFramework contractor
- FORVIS MAZARS LLPFramework contractor
- HW CONTROLS & ASSURANCE LIMITEDFramework contractor
- LITTLECHILD & HALEY LTDFramework contractor
- MENZIES LLPFramework contractor
Show 11 more suppliers
- MHA AUDIT SERVICES LLPFramework contractor
- ONE EIGHTY ADVISORY LIMITEDFramework contractor
- PGI - PROTECTION GROUP INTERNATIONAL LTD.Framework contractor
- PRINCIPLE DEFENCE LTDFramework contractor
- SHARP CONTRACT & SURVEYING LTDFramework contractor
- SOUTH WEST AUDIT PARTNERSHIP LIMITEDFramework contractor
- SYSTRA LIMITEDFramework contractor
- THAMESVIEW SOLUTIONS LIMITEDFramework contractor
- TIAA LTDFramework contractor
- TICKBOX SOLUTIONS LIMITEDFramework contractor
- VINULA CONSULTING LTDFramework contractor
Official documents & specifications (13)
Official links; attachments are not copiedTender pack and attachments
Notices published for this procedure
- Contract details notice Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- Contract details notice Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- Contract details notice Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- Contract details notice Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- Contract award notice Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- Contract award notice Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- Contract award notice Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- Contract award notice Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- Tender notice Tender notice on Find a Tender