Scope
Reference
DN762147
Description
TfGM is aiming to establish a corporate Greater Manchester Contractor Recruitment Services Framework (GMCRSF) and is seeking to partner with recruitment agencies. The aim is to streamline the procurement of agency services at TfGM, addressing existing inefficiencies and inconsistencies. This initiative seeks to enhance operational efficiencies, improve the quality-of-service delivery, and ensure compliance with Procurement Act 2023.
Currently, TfGM uses a Preferred Supplier List (PSL) of recruitment agencies to provide both permanent and contract personnel, covering positions from entry-level to management, across multiple departments such as IT, Project Management, Bus Services and Transport. The agencies on the PSL specialise in one or more professional areas.
The Greater Manchester Contractor Recruitment Services Framework will be TfGM's preferred method for procuring contractor services.
The proposed framework will encompass all contractor recruitment-related services required by TfGM over a four-year period and will be available for use across the entire organisation including GMCA, Greater Manchester councils, Fire service, and Greater Manchester Police.
The framework will consist of 5 Lots and each Lot will cover a particular specialism.
Commercial tool
Establishes a framework
Total value (estimated)
- £60,000,000 excluding VAT
- £72,000,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 December 2026 to 30 November 2030
- 4 years
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 79600000 - Recruitment services
Contract locations
- UKD3 - Greater Manchester
Lot 1. Project Delivery
Description
Project Delivery is undertaken by the Projects Group department within Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM). The team's goal is to develop and deliver projects and programmes throughout Greater Manchester. We do this through providing a range of mature project and programme management services to support the realisation of business benefits through the development and delivery of the TfGM change portfolio as well as supporting the wider Greater Manchester family.
This lot will include but not be limited to Programme Management, Project Cost and Commercial Management, Project Controls and Risk Management Services. This may also include Business Change programmes/ projects and relevant roles from time to time as required by the organisation.
Lot value (estimated)
- £16,800,000 excluding VAT
- £20,160,000 including VAT
Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
Same for all lots
CPV classifications, contract locations and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot 2. Digital, Data & Technology
Description
The Information Systems team at Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) is responsible for strategy, delivery, support, and maintenance of TfGM's Digital and Technology Services that are used to run and manage the Greater Manchester Public Transport Network and TfGM. Digital and Technology roles are aligned to the Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework, reflecting the evolving skill sets and capabilities required to support a modern, digitally enabled transport network and organisation.
This Lot covers the provision of digital and technology contractor services to support the planning, delivery, transformation, and ongoing support and maintenance of Digital, Data and Technology (DDaT) initiatives across TfGM.
Lot value (estimated)
- £34,800,000 excluding VAT
- £41,760,000 including VAT
Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
Same for all lots
CPV classifications, contract locations and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot 3. Transport Specific Skills
Description
This lot covers provision of contractors to support the professional advice and services required to undertake a wide range of operational and strategic network planning, design and management activities associated with operating a franchised bus network, as well as the provision and operation of on highways, tram and heavy rail transport.
These tasks will support evidence building for policies, strategies, service interventions and projects, and must be completed in line with best practice and guidance from TfGM, the Department for Transport (DfT) and and other relevant bodies. Appropriate skills will be required across the range of network planning, design, operational and commercial functions, ensuring integrated and efficient transport solutions for Greater Manchester.
Lot value (estimated)
- £6,000,000 excluding VAT
- £7,200,000 including VAT
Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
Same for all lots
CPV classifications, contract locations and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot 4. Commercial & Finance
Description
Lot 4 of the Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) Greater Manchester Contractor Recruitment Services Framework intends to provide access to highly skilled contractors who can deliver strategic commercial advice and financial services across the transport sector.
This Lot aims to ensure TfGM has the flexibility to engage expert contractors capable of supporting strategic decision-making and delivering critical commercial and financial insights. These capabilities are essential for the effective planning, management, and delivery of Greater Manchester's transport network.
Lot value (estimated)
- £1,200,000 excluding VAT
- £1,440,000 including VAT
Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
Same for all lots
CPV classifications, contract locations and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot 5. Transport Strategy
Description
Lot 5 of the Greater Manchester Contractor Recruitment Services Framework intends to provide access to highly skilled contractors who can deliver strategic services across the full range of the transport sector - this may relate to single transport modes (such as specialist rail resource, supporting rail-specific planning, operations and strategy), to multi-modal problems and opportunities (such as growth or decarbonisation), or to specific thematic areas (for example, school bus provision). The Lot intends to provide access to a range of contractors who may either: undertake the work itself ('doing'); provide checks, peer reviews and audits to enable independent assurance and quality control ('assuring'); or participate in the formal decision-making process ('governing').
Lot value (estimated)
- £1,800,000 excluding VAT
- £2,160,000 including VAT
Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
Same for all lots
CPV classifications, contract locations and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Framework
Maximum number of suppliers
15
Maximum percentage fee charged to suppliers
1%
Further information about fees
Please refer to the Rebate Mechanism within the tender documentation published on ProContract.
Framework operation description
Upon the award of the Framework, the selection process for the award the contracts will be both Direct Award and Mini-competition.
Award method when using the framework
Either with or without competition
Contracting authorities that may use the framework
Greater Manchester Combined Authority
the Borough of Bolton
the Metropolitan Borough of Bury
the Council of the City of Manchester
Oldham Borough Council
Rochdale Metropolitan Council
the Council of the City of Salford
the Metropolitan Borough Council of Stockport
the Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council
Trafford Borough Council
Wigan Borough Council
Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service
GMP and Transport for Greater Manchester (where Transport for Greater Manchester are themselves not the Customer)
Contracting authority location restrictions
- UKD3 - Greater Manchester
Participation
Particular suitability
Lot 1. Project Delivery
Lot 2. Digital, Data & Technology
Lot 3. Transport Specific Skills
Lot 4. Commercial & Finance
Lot 5. Transport Strategy
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
Submission
Enquiry deadline
30 January 2026, 5:00pm
Submission type
Requests to participate
Deadline for requests to participate
13 February 2026, 12:00pm
Submission address and any special instructions
https://procontract.due-north.com/Register
The Pro-Contract ref number is DN762147.
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
2 November 2026
Award criteria
| Name | Description | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Qualitative | Qualitative elements including Social Value are fully detailed within the draft ITT documentation. |
Quality | 70% |
| Quantitative | Price criterion as fully detailed with the draft ITT documentation. |
Price | 30% |
Other information
Applicable trade agreements
- Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Competitive flexible procedure
Competitive flexible procedure description
Please refer to the procurement specific questionnaire available from the noted Pro Contract ePortal.
Justification for not publishing a preliminary market engagement notice
The PIN and preliminary market notice have been published under PCR 2015.
Documents
Associated tender documents
https://procontract.due-north.com/Register
TfGM are using Pro-Contract / The Chest for the management of this procurement. This is where the tender documents will be held and where suppliers must submit their bids.
The Pro-Contract ref number is DN762147.
If interested suppliers are not registered already on this e-sourcing portal, we recommend that they do so as soon as possible.
Contracting authority
Transport for Greater Manchester
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PNJQ-2746-NWYT
2 Piccadilly Place
Manchester
M1 3BG
United Kingdom
Contact name: Ioana Maier
Email: procurement@tfgm.com
Region: UKD33 - Manchester
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government