Scope
Description
The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) intends to launch a procurement for the provision of Assessors for the King’s Awards for Enterprise. This planned procurement notice signals DBT’s upcoming requirement and informs suppliers of the intention to publish a tender. The procurement will seek to appoint suitably qualified suppliers capable of delivering high quality, independent assessment services in support of the King’s Awards for Enterprise programme.
The Secretary of State for DBT is the contracting authority responsible for meeting this anticipated requirement. DBT intends to publish the tender by 12th March 2026.
The full specification details shall be provided with the contract tender documents, but it is expected to incorporate the following:
The procurement of contractor(s) to provide external technical assessment services for the five King's Awards categories listed below. Subject to commercial strategy approval, tenderers will have the opportunity to bid for one or more lots. DBT aim to appoint one successful supplier per Lot.
1. Lot 1; Innovation: Recognising companies that have demonstrated commercial success through:
- invention, design, production (in respect of goods)
- performance (in respect of services, including advice)
- marketing, distribution, after sale support of goods or services
2. Lot 2; International Trade: Recognising companies that have demonstrated substantial growth in overseas earnings and in commercial success relative to the business size and sector.
3. Lot 3; Promoting Opportunity through social mobility: – for social mobility programmes that help people from disadvantaged backgrounds into successful working lives.
4. Lot 4; Sustainable Development: Recognising companies that have developed commercially successful products, services, and approaches to management which have major benefits for the environment, society and the economy.
5. Lot 5; To recognise Young Founder (New category) – this was announced in the Government’s Small Business Plan. Businesses can apply if they have a founder aged between 18 and 30.
It is anticipated the contract shall be for a period of 3 years, with the option to extend for two additional 12-month terms, on a 1+1 basis. The requirement has an estimated total value of £762,000.00 ex-VAT for all 5 Lots.
Background of Kings Award
The Kings award for Enterprise (previously knowns as the Queens award) was established in 1965 and is the highest official awards programme in the UK. It is the most prestigious award for UK businesses for outstanding achievement.
The whole assessment process, including consideration by the Panels of Judges and the Prime Minister’s Advisory Committee (PMAC), is completed between the closing date for applications and the anniversary of His Majesty Coronation, 6th May.
Total value (estimated)
- £1,270,000 excluding VAT
- £1,524,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 22 May 2026 to 21 May 2029
- Possible extension to 15 May 2031
- 4 years, 11 months, 25 days
Description of possible extension:
There will be two 12 months optional extensions, totaling a maximum of 24 months.
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 79900000 - Miscellaneous business and business-related services
Contract locations
- UK - United Kingdom
Lot 1. Innovation
Description
Recognising companies that have demonstrated commercial success through:
- invention, design, production (in respect of goods)
- performance (in respect of services, including advice)
- marketing, distribution, after sale support of goods or services
Lot value (estimated)
- £410,000 excluding VAT
- £492,000 including VAT
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. International Trade
Description
Recognising companies that have demonstrated substantial growth in overseas earnings and in commercial success relative to the business size and sector.
Lot value (estimated)
- £305,000 excluding VAT
- £366,000 including VAT
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. Promoting Opportunity through social mobility
Description
For social mobility programmes that help people from disadvantaged backgrounds into successful working lives.
Lot value (estimated)
- £145,000 excluding VAT
- £174,000 including VAT
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. Sustainable Development
Description
Recognising companies that have developed commercially successful products, services, and approaches to management which have major benefits for the environment, society and the economy.
Lot value (estimated)
- £300,000 excluding VAT
- £360,000 including VAT
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. Young Founder (New category)
Description
This was announced in the Government’s Small Business Plan. Businesses can apply if they have a founder aged between 18 and 30.
Lot value (estimated)
- £110,000 excluding VAT
- £132,000 including VAT
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.
Participation
Particular suitability
Lot 1. Innovation
Lot 2. International Trade
Lot 3. Promoting Opportunity through social mobility
Lot 4. Sustainable Development
Lot 5. Young Founder (New category)
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
Submission
Publication date of tender notice (estimated)
12 March 2026
Enquiry deadline
2 April 2026, 11:59pm
Tender submission deadline
14 April 2026, 11:59pm
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
11 May 2026
Award criteria
Lot 1. Innovation
Lot 3. Promoting Opportunity through social mobility
Lot 5. Young Founder (New category)
| Name | Description | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technical Assessment Methodology | Outline your proposed approach to conducting technical assessments, including how you will ensure consistency, accuracy, and alignment with King’s Awards criteria. The Tenderers response must be... |
Quality | 20% |
| Price award | Price | 20% | |
| Assessor Team Expertise and Category Knowledge | Please describe the qualifications and experience of your proposed assessor team, including the Lead Assessor and how this will be applied to the process to ensure high quality assessments in relation... |
Quality | 15% |
| Quality Assurance and Moderation | Describe your quality assurance processes, including moderation of assessments and reporting mechanisms. |
Quality | 15% |
| Timeliness and Contract Management | Explain how you will manage the assessment timelines and volumes for the relevant Category Lot (outlined in the specification) to ensure timely delivery of outputs across the award cycle. |
Quality | 15% |
| Data Protection and Conflict of Interest Management | Provide details of your approach to confidentiality, data protection, and conflict of interest mitigation |
Quality | 5% |
| Fair working conditions | Please set out, in a method statement and project plan, the specific, measurable and time bound commitment(s) the Bidder will make to deliver the 1B Fair work: that offers fair wages and good working... |
Quality | 5% |
| Fair pay practices | Please set out, in a method statement and project plan, the specific, measurable and time bound commitment(s) the Bidder will make to deliver the 1C Fair work: that offers fair wages and good working... |
Quality | 5% |
Lot 2. International Trade
| Name | Description | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technical Assessment Methodology | Outline your proposed approach to conducting technical assessments, including how you will ensure consistency, accuracy, and alignment with King’s Awards criteria. The Tenderers response must be... |
Quality | 20% |
| Price award | Price | 20% | |
| Assessor Team Expertise and Category Knowledge | Please describe the qualifications and experience of your proposed assessor team, including the Lead Assessor and how this will be applied to the process to ensure high quality assessments in relation... |
Quality | 15% |
| Quality Assurance and Moderation | Describe your quality assurance processes, including moderation of assessments and reporting mechanisms. |
Quality | 15% |
| Timeliness and Contract Management | Explain how you will manage the assessment timelines and volumes for the relevant Category Lot (outlined in the specification) to ensure timely delivery of outputs across the award cycle. |
Quality | 15% |
| Data Protection and Conflict of Interest Management | Provide details of your approach to confidentiality, data protection, and conflict of interest mitigation |
Quality | 5% |
| Fair working conditions | Please set out, in a method statement and project plan, the specific, measurable and time bound commitment(s) the Bidder will make to deliver the 1B Fair work: that offers fair wages and good working... |
Quality | 5% |
| Fair pay practices | Please set out, in a method statement and project plan, the specific, measurable and time bound commitment(s) the Bidder will make to deliver the 1C Fair work: that offers fair wages and good working... |
Quality | 5% |
Lot 4. Sustainable Development
| Name | Description | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technical Assessment Methodology | Outline your proposed approach to conducting technical assessments, including how you will ensure consistency, accuracy, and alignment with King’s Awards criteria. The Tenderers response must be... |
Quality | 20% |
| Price award | Price | 20% | |
| Assessor Team Expertise and Category Knowledge | Please describe the qualifications and experience of your proposed assessor team, including the Lead Assessor and how this will be applied to the process to ensure high quality assessments in relation... |
Quality | 15% |
| Quality Assurance and Moderation | Describe your quality assurance processes, including moderation of assessments and reporting mechanisms. |
Quality | 15% |
| Timeliness and Contract Management | Explain how you will manage the assessment timelines and volumes for the relevant Category Lot (outlined in the specification) to ensure timely delivery of outputs across the award cycle. |
Quality | 15% |
| Data Protection and Conflict of Interest Management | Provide details of your approach to confidentiality, data protection, and conflict of interest mitigation |
Quality | 5% |
| Fair working conditions | Please set out, in a method statement and project plan, the specific, measurable and time bound commitment(s) the Bidder will make to deliver the 1B Fair work: that offers fair wages and good working... |
Quality | 5% |
| Fair pay practices | Please set out, in a method statement and project plan, the specific, measurable and time bound commitment(s) the Bidder will make to deliver the 1C Fair work: that offers fair wages and good working... |
Quality | 5% |
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Contracting authority
Department for Business & Trade
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PZZJ-6312-QTTD
Old Admiralty Building
London
SW1A 2DY
United Kingdom
Region: UKI32 - Westminster
Organisation type: Public authority - central government