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Framework Active Services
250286 Framework Agreement for the Provision of Specialist and Executive Search Services
Published 3 Mar 2026
3 Mar 2026
Closed 9 Mar 2026
- Primary CPV
-
79600000 *
Recruitment services
- Location
- 🇬🇧 Belfast, Northern Ireland
- Value
- £4,362,500
- Contract
-
1 year Duration
01/06/2026 31/05/2027
- Contract Types
-
79 *Business services: law, marketing, consu...Full CPV Breakdown
- SME suitable
- Not stated
Publisher Address
University Rd, Belfast, BT7 1NN, United Kingdom · UKN06
Contact
Award Criteria
- Simple description
- Tender documents are accessible from web address provided · Bidding Documents
Related tenders
Queen's University Belfast
All notices from this publisher Same CPV code
79600000 *
All notices with this CPV code
Reference: 250286
The University wishes to establish a framework for the provision of Specialist and Executive Search Services. The appointed suppliers will deliver diverse, high-quality candidates as required for the role, through a combination of market search, networking and advertising.
The successful suppliers must be able to demonstrate a strong working knowledge of the employment markets from which candidates may be drawn. This will include Higher Education institutions but also other sectors where relevant candidates may be found. There should be a strong focus upon the employment markets within the island of Ireland as well as Great Britain, the EU and internationally.
The appointed suppliers will be expected to have a proven track record to work closely with the relevant leadership team in attracting a suitable and diverse pool of highly qualified candidates for the scope of the positions covered under the respective lots they are appointed under.
Further detail is provided within the Specification.
Queen's intends, following the process outlined in this ITT, to establish a closed Framework Agreement for the provision of Specialist and Executive Search Services.
The Framework Agreement will be split into Lots as further detailed below and Queen's envisages that, following the process outlined in the ITT and TRP.
Lot 1A: Temporary Specialist Roles
Lot 1B: Permanent Specialist Roles
Lot 2A: Temporary Executive level roles for Professional Services
Lot 2B: Permanent Executive level roles for Professional Services
Lot 3A: Temporary Executive level roles for Academic Operations
Lot 3B: Permanent Executive level roles for Academic Operations
Lot 4: International roles for overseas locations
Following the process outlined in this ITT and TRP, Queen's intends to appoint 3 Suppliers to each lot of the Framework Agreement and Call-Off Contracts will be awarded in accordance with the Call-Off Procedure provided with this ITT.
Full CPV breakdown
- 79600000 — Recruitment services (primary)
Notice details
- Buyer type
- Local authority
- Competition
- Open competition (any supplier can bid)
- Contract type
- Services
- Lots
- 7
- Procurement method
- Open procedure
- Main category
- Services
- Above threshold
- Yes
- Legal basis
- UKPGA 2023/54
- Notice status
- Active
- Renewal
- The Framework shall be for a period of 1 year, subject to satisfactory annual review, with the option to extend the contract by up to a further 36 Months.
- Framework agreement
- Yes
- Framework details
- Following the process outlined in the ITT and TRP, Queen's intends to appoint 3 Suppliers to each lot of the Framework Agreement and Call-Off Contracts will be awarded in accordance with the Call-Off Procedure provided with the ITT. Price is calculated as the combined total of the cost of one appointment in each salary range(s) under each lot. Each appointment cost is made up of the end‑to‑end recruitment service delivery fee-derived by applying the tendered percentage to the assumed salary for the applicable range plus the associated campaign cost.
- Submission method
- https://in-tendhost.co.uk/queensuniversitybelfast/aspx/Home
- Enquiries close
- 23 Feb 2026
- Award decision expected
- 13 May 2026
- Covered by GPA
- Yes
- Number of lots
- 7
- Language
- EN
- Published
- 03 Mar 2026 16:07
- Deadline
- 09 Mar 2026 16:00
- OCID
- ocds-h6vhtk-064968
- Notice ID
- 250286
Lots (7)
Lot 1: Lot 1A: Temporary Specialist Roles
£4,362,500
This lot is for the search and selection of highly qualified candidates for specialist temporary roles in both academic and professional services areas.
The Supplier is required to identify suitable candidates to fill roles normally at Grade 7 to 10 (or academic grades AC2 to Professorial Range 4).
Temporary positions...
1 Jun 2026 to 31 May 2027 · Active
Lot 2: Lot 1B: Permanent Specialist Roles
£4,362,500
This lot is for the search and selection of highly qualified candidates for specialist permanent roles in both academic and professional services areas.
The Supplier is required to identify suitable candidates to fill roles normally at Grade 7 to 10 (or academic grades AC2 to Professorial Range 4).
1 Jun 2026 to 31 May 2027 · Active
Lot 3: Lot 2A: Temporary Executive level roles for Professional Services
£4,362,500
This lot is for the search and selection of highly qualified candidates for executive level temporary roles in Professional Services (Non-Academic Operations).
The Supplier is required to identify suitable candidates to fill the roles of Director and above, with a salary of over £112k per annum.
Temporary positions are...
1 Jun 2026 to 31 May 2027 · Active
Lot 4: Lot 2B: Permanent Executive level roles for Professional Services
£4,362,500
This lot is for the search and selection of highly qualified candidates for executive level permanent roles in Professional Services (Non-Academic Operations).
The Supplier is required to have the expertise in both national and international markets to identify suitable candidates to fill the roles of Director and abov...
1 Jun 2026 to 31 May 2027 · Active
Lot 5: Lot 3A: Temporary Executive level roles for Academic Operations
£4,362,500
This lot is for the search and selection of highly qualified candidates for executive level temporary roles in Academic Operations.
The Supplier is required to have the expertise in both national and international markets to identify suitable candidates to fill the roles of Head of School and above.
Temporary positions...
1 Jun 2026 to 31 May 2027 · Active
Lot 6: Lot 3B: Permanent Executive level roles for Academic Operations
£4,362,500
This lot is for the search and selection of highly qualified candidates for executive level permanent roles in Academic Operations.
The Supplier is required to have the expertise in both national and international markets to identify suitable candidates to fill the roles of Head of School and above.
1 Jun 2026 to 31 May 2027 · Active
Lot 7: Lot 4: International Roles for Overseas Locations
£4,362,500
This lot is for the search and selection of highly qualified candidates for both academic and professional services roles based in overseas locations.
The Supplier is required to have the expertise in both national and international markets to identify suitable candidates to fill the roles based in overseas locations n...
1 Jun 2026 to 31 May 2027 · Active
Full notice record
165 detailsEverything the publisher included in this notice, organised by section.
Organisations
| Name | Queen's University Belfast |
| Address › Street | University Rd |
| Address › Town / city | Belfast |
| Address › Postcode | BT7 1NN |
| Address › Country | GB |
| Address › Country | United Kingdom |
| Address › Region (NUTS) | UKN06 |
| Contact › Email | procurement@qub.ac.uk |
| Role | buyer |
| Classification › Classification 1 › Description | Public authority - sub-central government |
| Classification › Classification 2 › Description | Northern Irish devolved regulations apply |
Buyer
| Name | Queen's University Belfast |
Tender
| Title | 250286 Framework Agreement for the Provision of Specialist and Executive Search Services |
| Status | active |
| Item › Item 1 › CPV › CPV 1 › Description | Recruitment services |
| Item › Item 1 › CPV › CPV 2 › Description | Personnel services except placement and supply services |
| Item › Item 2 › CPV › CPV 1 › Description | Recruitment services |
| Item › Item 2 › CPV › CPV 2 › Description | Personnel services except placement and supply services |
| Item › Item 3 › CPV › CPV 1 › Description | Recruitment services |
| Item › Item 3 › CPV › CPV 2 › Description | Personnel services except placement and supply services |
| Item › Item 4 › CPV › CPV 1 › Description | Recruitment services |
| Item › Item 4 › CPV › CPV 2 › Description | Personnel services except placement and supply services |
| Item › Item 5 › CPV › CPV 1 › Description | Recruitment services |
| Item › Item 5 › CPV › CPV 2 › Description | Personnel services except placement and supply services |
| Item › Item 6 › CPV › CPV 1 › Description | Recruitment services |
| Item › Item 6 › CPV › CPV 2 › Description | Personnel services except placement and supply services |
| Item › Item 7 › CPV › CPV 1 › Description | Recruitment services |
| Item › Item 7 › CPV › CPV 2 › Description | Personnel services except placement and supply services |
| Value › Value incl. VAT | £5,235,000 |
| Value › Value | £4,362,500 |
| Value › Currency | GBP |
| Procedure type | open |
| Procedure | Open procedure |
| Category | services |
| Above threshold | Yes |
| Covered by › Covered by 1 | GPA |
| Covered by › Covered by 2 | CPTPP |
| Techniques › Framework agreement | Yes |
| Techniques › Framework agreement › Method | With reopening competition |
| Techniques › Framework agreement › Type | closed |
| Techniques › Framework agreement › Description | Following the process outlined in the ITT and TRP, Queen's intends to appoint 3 Suppliers to each lot of the Framework Agreement and Call-Off Contracts will be awarded in accordance with the Call-Off Procedure provided with the ITT. Price is calculated as the combined total of the cost of one appointment in each salary range(s) under each lot. Each appointment cost is made up of the end‑to‑end recruitment service delivery fee-derived by applying the tendered percentage to the assumed salary for the applicable range plus the associated campaign cost. |
| How to submit | https://in-tendhost.co.uk/queensuniversitybelfast/aspx/Home |
| Submission Terms › Electronic submission | allowed |
| Submission Terms › Languages | en |
| Bidding period › End | 9 Mar 2026 |
| Questions period › End | 23 Feb 2026 |
| Award decision period › End | 13 May 2026 |
| Lot › Lot 1 › Title | Lot 1A: Temporary Specialist Roles |
| Lot › Lot 1 › Description | This lot is for the search and selection of highly qualified candidates for specialist temporary roles in both academic and professional services areas. The Supplier is required to identify suitable candidates to fill roles normally at Grade 7 to 10 (or academic grades AC2 to Professorial Range 4). Temporary positions are likely to be for a minimum of 12 months' cover, such as interim appointments or maternity leave cover, in some cases appointments may be required for a shorter period. |
| Lot › Lot 1 › Status | active |
| Lot › Lot 1 › Value › Value incl. VAT | £5,235,000 |
| Lot › Lot 1 › Value › Value | £4,362,500 |
| Lot › Lot 1 › Value › Currency | GBP |
| Lot › Lot 1 › Award criteria › Weighting Description | The award criteria is divided into Technical (70%) and Price (30%).Technical Criterion is made up of Methodology, Quality Assurance, Responsible Procurement, Quality, Diversity and Inclusion, while the Price Criterion is made up of Price and Discount |
| Lot › Lot 1 › Award criteria › Criterion › Type | price |
| Lot › Lot 1 › Award criteria › Criterion › Name | Simple description |
| Lot › Lot 1 › Award criteria › Criterion › Description | The award criteria is divided into Technical (70%) and Price (30%).Technical Criterion is made up of Methodology, Quality Assurance, Responsible Procurement, Quality, Diversity and Inclusion, while the Price Criterion is made up of Price and Discount |
| Lot › Lot 1 › Contract period › Start | 1 Jun 2026 |
| Lot › Lot 1 › Contract period › End | 31 May 2027 |
| Lot › Lot 1 › Contract period › Can be extended to | 1 Jun 2030 |
| Lot › Lot 1 › Can be renewed | Yes |
| Lot › Lot 1 › Renewal › Description | The Framework shall be for a period of 1 year, subject to satisfactory annual review, with the option to extend the contract by up to a further 36 Months. |
| Lot › Lot 2 › Title | Lot 1B: Permanent Specialist Roles |
| Lot › Lot 2 › Description | This lot is for the search and selection of highly qualified candidates for specialist permanent roles in both academic and professional services areas. The Supplier is required to identify suitable candidates to fill roles normally at Grade 7 to 10 (or academic grades AC2 to Professorial Range 4). |
| Lot › Lot 2 › Status | active |
| Lot › Lot 2 › Value › Value incl. VAT | £5,235,000 |
| Lot › Lot 2 › Value › Value | £4,362,500 |
| Lot › Lot 2 › Value › Currency | GBP |
| Lot › Lot 2 › Award criteria › Weighting Description | The award criteria is divided into Technical (70%) and Price (30%).Technical Criterion is made up of Methodology, Quality Assurance, Responsible Procurement, Quality, Diversity and Inclusion, while the Price Criterion is made up of Price and Discount |
| Lot › Lot 2 › Award criteria › Criterion › Type | price |
| Lot › Lot 2 › Award criteria › Criterion › Name | Simple description |
| Lot › Lot 2 › Award criteria › Criterion › Description | The award criteria is divided into Technical (70%) and Price (30%).Technical Criterion is made up of Methodology, Quality Assurance, Responsible Procurement, Quality, Diversity and Inclusion, while the Price Criterion is made up of Price and Discount |
| Lot › Lot 2 › Contract period › Start | 1 Jun 2026 |
| Lot › Lot 2 › Contract period › End | 31 May 2027 |
| Lot › Lot 2 › Contract period › Can be extended to | 1 Jun 2030 |
| Lot › Lot 2 › Can be renewed | Yes |
| Lot › Lot 2 › Renewal › Description | The Framework shall be for a period of 1 year, subject to satisfactory annual review, with the option to extend the contract by up to a further 36 Months. |
| Lot › Lot 3 › Title | Lot 2A: Temporary Executive level roles for Professional Services |
| Lot › Lot 3 › Description | This lot is for the search and selection of highly qualified candidates for executive level temporary roles in Professional Services (Non-Academic Operations). The Supplier is required to identify suitable candidates to fill the roles of Director and above, with a salary of over £112k per annum. Temporary positions are likely to be for a minimum of 12 months' cover, such as interim appointments or maternity leave cover, in some cases appointments may be required for a shorter period. |
| Lot › Lot 3 › Status | active |
| Lot › Lot 3 › Value › Value incl. VAT | £5,235,000 |
| Lot › Lot 3 › Value › Value | £4,362,500 |
| Lot › Lot 3 › Value › Currency | GBP |
| Lot › Lot 3 › Award criteria › Weighting Description | The award criteria is divided into Technical (70%) and Price (30%).Technical Criterion is made up of Methodology, Quality Assurance, Responsible Procurement, Quality, Diversity and Inclusion, while the Price Criterion is made up of Price and Discount |
| Lot › Lot 3 › Award criteria › Criterion › Type | price |
| Lot › Lot 3 › Award criteria › Criterion › Name | Simple description |
| Lot › Lot 3 › Award criteria › Criterion › Description | The award criteria is divided into Technical (70%) and Price (30%).Technical Criterion is made up of Methodology, Quality Assurance, Responsible Procurement, Quality, Diversity and Inclusion, while the Price Criterion is made up of Price and Discount |
| Lot › Lot 3 › Contract period › Start | 1 Jun 2026 |
| Lot › Lot 3 › Contract period › End | 31 May 2027 |
| Lot › Lot 3 › Contract period › Can be extended to | 1 Jun 2030 |
| Lot › Lot 3 › Can be renewed | Yes |
| Lot › Lot 3 › Renewal › Description | The Framework shall be for a period of 1 year, subject to satisfactory annual review, with the option to extend the contract by up to a further 36 Months. |
| Lot › Lot 4 › Title | Lot 2B: Permanent Executive level roles for Professional Services |
| Lot › Lot 4 › Description | This lot is for the search and selection of highly qualified candidates for executive level permanent roles in Professional Services (Non-Academic Operations). The Supplier is required to have the expertise in both national and international markets to identify suitable candidates to fill the roles of Director and above. |
| Lot › Lot 4 › Status | active |
| Lot › Lot 4 › Value › Value incl. VAT | £5,235,000 |
| Lot › Lot 4 › Value › Value | £4,362,500 |
| Lot › Lot 4 › Value › Currency | GBP |
| Lot › Lot 4 › Award criteria › Weighting Description | The award criteria is divided into Technical (70%) and Price (30%).Technical Criterion is made up of Methodology, Quality Assurance, Responsible Procurement, Quality, Diversity and Inclusion, while the Price Criterion is made up of Price and Discount |
| Lot › Lot 4 › Award criteria › Criterion › Type | price |
| Lot › Lot 4 › Award criteria › Criterion › Name | Simple description |
| Lot › Lot 4 › Award criteria › Criterion › Description | The award criteria is divided into Technical (70%) and Price (30%).Technical Criterion is made up of Methodology, Quality Assurance, Responsible Procurement, Quality, Diversity and Inclusion, while the Price Criterion is made up of Price and Discount |
| Lot › Lot 4 › Contract period › Start | 1 Jun 2026 |
| Lot › Lot 4 › Contract period › End | 31 May 2027 |
| Lot › Lot 4 › Contract period › Can be extended to | 1 Jun 2030 |
| Lot › Lot 4 › Can be renewed | Yes |
| Lot › Lot 4 › Renewal › Description | The Framework shall be for a period of 1 year, subject to satisfactory annual review, with the option to extend the contract by up to a further 36 Months. |
| Lot › Lot 5 › Title | Lot 3A: Temporary Executive level roles for Academic Operations |
| Lot › Lot 5 › Description | This lot is for the search and selection of highly qualified candidates for executive level temporary roles in Academic Operations. The Supplier is required to have the expertise in both national and international markets to identify suitable candidates to fill the roles of Head of School and above. Temporary positions are likely to be for a minimum of 12 months' cover, such as interim appointments or maternity leave cover, in some cases appointments may be required for a shorter period. |
| Lot › Lot 5 › Status | active |
| Lot › Lot 5 › Value › Value incl. VAT | £5,235,000 |
| Lot › Lot 5 › Value › Value | £4,362,500 |
| Lot › Lot 5 › Value › Currency | GBP |
| Lot › Lot 5 › Award criteria › Weighting Description | The award criteria is divided into Technical (70%) and Price (30%).Technical Criterion is made up of Methodology, Quality Assurance, Responsible Procurement, Quality, Diversity and Inclusion, while the Price Criterion is made up of Price and Discount |
| Lot › Lot 5 › Award criteria › Criterion › Type | price |
| Lot › Lot 5 › Award criteria › Criterion › Name | Simple description |
| Lot › Lot 5 › Award criteria › Criterion › Description | The award criteria is divided into Technical (70%) and Price (30%).Technical Criterion is made up of Methodology, Quality Assurance, Responsible Procurement, Quality, Diversity and Inclusion, while the Price Criterion is made up of Price and Discount |
| Lot › Lot 5 › Contract period › Start | 1 Jun 2026 |
| Lot › Lot 5 › Contract period › End | 31 May 2027 |
| Lot › Lot 5 › Contract period › Can be extended to | 1 Jun 2030 |
| Lot › Lot 5 › Can be renewed | Yes |
| Lot › Lot 5 › Renewal › Description | The Framework shall be for a period of 1 year, subject to satisfactory annual review, with the option to extend the contract by up to a further 36 Months. |
| Lot › Lot 6 › Title | Lot 3B: Permanent Executive level roles for Academic Operations |
| Lot › Lot 6 › Description | This lot is for the search and selection of highly qualified candidates for executive level permanent roles in Academic Operations. The Supplier is required to have the expertise in both national and international markets to identify suitable candidates to fill the roles of Head of School and above. |
| Lot › Lot 6 › Status | active |
| Lot › Lot 6 › Value › Value incl. VAT | £5,235,000 |
| Lot › Lot 6 › Value › Value | £4,362,500 |
| Lot › Lot 6 › Value › Currency | GBP |
| Lot › Lot 6 › Award criteria › Weighting Description | The award criteria is divided into Technical (70%) and Price (30%).Technical Criterion is made up of Methodology, Quality Assurance, Responsible Procurement, Quality, Diversity and Inclusion, while the Price Criterion is made up of Price and Discount |
| Lot › Lot 6 › Award criteria › Criterion › Type | price |
| Lot › Lot 6 › Award criteria › Criterion › Name | Simple description |
| Lot › Lot 6 › Award criteria › Criterion › Description | The award criteria is divided into Technical (70%) and Price (30%).Technical Criterion is made up of Methodology, Quality Assurance, Responsible Procurement, Quality, Diversity and Inclusion, while the Price Criterion is made up of Price and Discount |
| Lot › Lot 6 › Contract period › Start | 1 Jun 2026 |
| Lot › Lot 6 › Contract period › End | 31 May 2027 |
| Lot › Lot 6 › Contract period › Can be extended to | 1 Jun 2030 |
| Lot › Lot 6 › Can be renewed | Yes |
| Lot › Lot 6 › Renewal › Description | The Framework shall be for a period of 1 year, subject to satisfactory annual review, with the option to extend the contract by up to a further 36 Months. |
| Lot › Lot 7 › Title | Lot 4: International Roles for Overseas Locations |
| Lot › Lot 7 › Description | This lot is for the search and selection of highly qualified candidates for both academic and professional services roles based in overseas locations. The Supplier is required to have the expertise in both national and international markets to identify suitable candidates to fill the roles based in overseas locations normally with a salary from £45,349 per annum (for example, any international Queen's University campus). |
| Lot › Lot 7 › Status | active |
| Lot › Lot 7 › Value › Value incl. VAT | £5,235,000 |
| Lot › Lot 7 › Value › Value | £4,362,500 |
| Lot › Lot 7 › Value › Currency | GBP |
| Lot › Lot 7 › Award criteria › Weighting Description | The award criteria is divided into Technical (70%) and Price (30%).Technical Criterion is made up of Methodology, Quality Assurance, Responsible Procurement, Quality, Diversity and Inclusion, while the Price Criterion is made up of Price and Discount |
| Lot › Lot 7 › Award criteria › Criterion › Type | price |
| Lot › Lot 7 › Award criteria › Criterion › Name | Simple description |
| Lot › Lot 7 › Award criteria › Criterion › Description | The award criteria is divided into Technical (70%) and Price (30%).Technical Criterion is made up of Methodology, Quality Assurance, Responsible Procurement, Quality, Diversity and Inclusion, while the Price Criterion is made up of Price and Discount |
| Lot › Lot 7 › Contract period › Start | 1 Jun 2026 |
| Lot › Lot 7 › Contract period › End | 31 May 2027 |
| Lot › Lot 7 › Contract period › Can be extended to | 1 Jun 2030 |
| Lot › Lot 7 › Can be renewed | Yes |
| Lot › Lot 7 › Renewal › Description | The Framework shall be for a period of 1 year, subject to satisfactory annual review, with the option to extend the contract by up to a further 36 Months. |
| Document › Document 1 › Document type | Conflict of interest |
| Document › Document 1 › Description | Not published |
| Document › Document 2 › Document type | Bidding documents |
| Document › Document 2 › Description | Tender documents are accessible from web address provided |
| Document › Document 2 › Link | https://in-tendhost.co.uk/queensuniversitybelfast/aspx/Home |
| Document › Document 3 › Document type | Tender notice |
| Document › Document 3 › Description | Tender notice on Find a Tender |
| Document › Document 3 › Link | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/019152-2026 |
| Document › Document 3 › Published | 3 Mar 2026 |
| Has Recurrence | Yes |
| Recurrence › Dates › Start | 4 Feb 2030 |
| Risk Details | Risks that Queen's considers could either jeopardise the satisfactory performance of the public contract, or may require a subsequent modification to the contract under paragraph 5 of Schedule 8 to the Procurement Act 2023 are detailed within the Specification. The Specification forms part of the associated tender documents, which can be accessed via the link provided within this notice |
| Amendment › Description | Due to formula error in ITT Appendix 1 - Tender Response (Price), this document has been updated. Suppliers are required to disregard the previous version and ensure the updated version, 250286 - Appendix 1 - Tender Response (Price) v1.2, is completed and returned as part of their tender submission. As such, the deadline for submission to this tender has been extended from 6 March 2026 to 9 March 2026, as updated in this notice. |