Scope
Reference
ID 6334962
Description
The Department of Finance is seeking to establish a Framework agreement for the provision of a Data Security Standard Qualified Security Assessor to aid departments in achieving full Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS) compliance. The need for this framework is urgent and it is expected it will go live in February 2026 and will last for four years.
The Qualified Security Assessor will work directly with each department to assist/teach department towards attaining full PCI DSS compliance and providing the knowledge needed to maintain compliance in the future.
As such this will be a new collaborative framework allowing each Dept / public bodies to make a Call-Off Contract for the support and services required. For all Contracting Authorities that may avail of this Framework, please see the tender documentation.
Commercial tool
Establishes a framework
Total value (estimated)
- £1,250,000 excluding VAT
- £1,500,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 31 March 2026 to 30 March 2030
- 4 years
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 66000000 - Financial and insurance services
- 72000000 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support
- 72600000 - Computer support and consultancy services
- 66152000 - Financial market regulatory services
- 66171000 - Financial consultancy services
Contract locations
- UKN - Northern Ireland
Framework
Maximum number of suppliers
1
Maximum percentage fee charged to suppliers
0%
Framework operation description
Contracts will be awarded to the Supplier, following award of the Framework, on a Call-Off basis.
The charges for the services for any Client under a Call Off Contact must not exceed the charges as detailed in Annex 3 of the Short Form Contract
It must also be noted that each Call-Off Contract must not exceed £112,500 exclusive of VAT.
Award method when using the framework
Without competition
Contracting authorities that may use the framework
For all Contracting Authorities that may avail of this Framework, please see the tender documentation
Contracting authority location restrictions
- UKN - Northern Ireland
Participation
Technical ability conditions of participation
Please see tender documentation
Submission
Enquiry deadline
23 February 2026, 3:00pm
Tender submission deadline
4 March 2026, 3:00pm
Submission address and any special instructions
Tenders must be submitted electronically via the relevant Call for Tender (CfT) opportunity on eTendersNI, website details immediately below.
Paper submissions will not be accepted or considered and will be rejected by the Contracting Authority / Buyer.
The tender documents are available with unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at: URL https://etendersni.gov.uk/epps
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
30 March 2026
Award criteria
| Name | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Award Criteria 3 - Price | Price | 40% |
| Award Criteria 1 - QSA Experience | Quality | 30% |
| Award Criteria 2 - Support and Delivery | Quality | 30% |
Other information
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Contracting authority
Department of Finance
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PVTL-7513-YWVJ
303 Airport Road West
Belfast
BT3 9ED
United Kingdom
Email: SSDAdmin.CPD@finance-ni.gov.uk
Website: https://www.finance-ni.gov.uk
Region: UKN06 - Belfast
Organisation type: Public authority - central government
Devolved regulations that apply: Northern Ireland
Other organisation
These organisations are carrying out the procurement, or part of it, on behalf of the contracting authorities.
CPD - Supplies and Services Division
Summary of their role in this procurement: Construction and Procurement Delivery - Supplies and Services Division, is a Centre of Procurement Expertise and provides a central procurement function for central government in Northern Ireland
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PVWG-8426-YWXV
303 Airport Road West
Belfast
BT3 9ED
United Kingdom
Region: UKN06 - Belfast