Scope
Reference
SH2025043
Description
Southern Housing are seeking to procure External Audit Services to undertake an independent audit of Southern Housing and its related subsidiaries to be carried out in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)).
Southern Housing published a Preliminary Market Engagement notice related to this procurement (Ref 2025/S 000-075860 on 20 November 2025 and have undertaken Preliminary Market Engagement which has included:
a) submission of questionnaire responses
b) use of the questionnaire responses to understand the market, capability and inform the procurement strategy
Please note the estimated contract value stated excludes inflation.
The contract will be for a maximum term of 5 years and will be subject to the annual re-appointment of the external auditors by the Southern Housing Board.
The Client is targeting the following strategic objectives and added value benefits:
a. Deliver work requirements in line with the scope and specified instructions
b. Deliver works within the required timelines
c. Proactive communication - working in partnership
d. Act as a professional and informed sounding board
e. Provide proactive support to the Audit & Risk Committee
f. Being kept informed of forthcoming / potential changes in financial reporting requirements
g. Ideas for how the external audit process could be delivered more efficiently by SH / audit firm each year.
The Client reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to update, modify or replace its strategic objectives or policies after the date of this
Invitation to Tender by notification to the Bidders in writing.
In accordance with section 52 of the Procurement Act 2023, wherever the Client enters into a public contract with an estimated value of
more than £5 million, the Client must set and publish at least three key performance indicators in respect of the Contract.
In light of the estimated value of the Contract, the Client has set the following indicative key performance indicators for the purposes of
this procurement:
KPI 1 - Audits completed within agreed timelines
KPI 2 - Number of audit findings requiring rework/clarification or that are inaccurate/incomplete
KPI 3 - Average number of days between audit completion and report submission
KPI 4 - Average response time on technical accounting queries
The Client will enter into Contract with the with the successful Supplier which shall be based on the Client's Standard form of Services Contract
(including a Schedule of Amendments).
Total value (estimated)
- £5,000,000 excluding VAT
- £6,000,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 October 2026 to 30 September 2031
- 5 years
Options
The right to additional purchases while the contract is valid.
Adhoc related services within the scope of the contract, arising from day to day financial services requirements may be instructed.
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 79212100 - Financial auditing services
- 79212300 - Statutory audit services
- 79212000 - Auditing services
Contract locations
- UKF - East Midlands (England)
- UKI - London
- UKJ - South East (England)
- UKG - West Midlands (England)
Participation
Legal and financial capacity conditions of participation
Legal and financial conditions of participation are as set out in the Volume 6 Conditions of Participation Questionnaire
Technical ability conditions of participation
Technical conditions of participation are as set out in the Volume 6 Conditions of Participation Questionnaire
Particular suitability
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
Submission
Enquiry deadline
16 February 2026, 5:00pm
Tender submission deadline
23 February 2026, 5:00pm
Submission address and any special instructions
Tender documents can be accessed at https://Www.MyTenders.co.uk Please follow the instructions set out in the Invitation to Tender
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
2 April 2026
Recurring procurement
Publication date of next tender notice (estimated): 11 January 2030
Award criteria
| Name | Description | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quality | As set out in the Invitation to Tender |
Quality | 70.00% |
| Price | As set out in the Invitation to Tender |
Price | 30.00% |
Other information
Payment terms
As set out within the Invitation to Tender documentation
Description of risks to contract performance
a) Skilled resource availability
b) Labour cost volatility
c) Change of law/legislation
d) Change of regulation and accounting standards
e) Supplier failure
Applicable trade agreements
- Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Documents
Associated tender documents
https://www.mytenders.co.uk/Authority/NoticeBuilder/NoticeBuilder_FileDownload.aspx?id=628814
Appendix 1 - External Audit Services - Tender Certificate and Appendices
https://www.mytenders.co.uk/Authority/NoticeBuilder/NoticeBuilder_FileDownload.aspx?id=628815
Volume 2 - External Audit Services - Contract for Services v1
https://www.mytenders.co.uk/Authority/NoticeBuilder/NoticeBuilder_FileDownload.aspx?id=628816
Volume 3- External Audit Services - Specification
https://www.mytenders.co.uk/Authority/NoticeBuilder/NoticeBuilder_FileDownload.aspx?id=628818
Volume 1 - External Audit Services Price Framework
https://www.mytenders.co.uk/Authority/NoticeBuilder/NoticeBuilder_FileDownload.aspx?id=628819
Volume 4 - External Audit Services - KPI Framework
https://www.mytenders.co.uk/Authority/NoticeBuilder/NoticeBuilder_FileDownload.aspx?id=628820
Volume 5 - External Audit Services - Quality Submission Response Document
Contracting authority
Southern Housing
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PXJP-9994-BJBR
59-61 Clerkenwell Road
London
EC1M 5LA
United Kingdom
Region: UKI43 - Haringey and Islington
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government