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TENDER 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


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

Everything 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.
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