- Lot 1. Crown Estate
- Lot 2. Northern Ireland
- Lot 3. Complex Provisions
- Lot 4. National Savings & Investments
- Lot 5. Defra Entities
- Lot 6. Health
- Lot 7. Pensions
- Lot 8. Charities 1
- Lot 9. Charities 2
- Lot 10. Charities 3
- Lot 11. Infrastructure
- Lot 12. Debt Management
- Lot 13. Ministry of Justice (MOJ) Entities
- Lot 14. United Kingdom Export Finance (UKEF)
Scope
Reference
CPT_25_02 Financial Audit and Assurance Services Contract
Description
The National Audit Office (NAO) is the UK's independent public spending watchdog. The NAO supports Parliament in holding government to account and helps improve public services through its high-quality audits.
The NAO is seeking to reprocure the Financial Audit and Assurance Services to support the high-quality delivery our portfolio of financial audits within the public sector.
Financial Audit and Assurance Services Contract
We are seeking to continue working in partnership with supplier firms to deliver high quality audits, which support effective accountability and lead to better financial reporting and financial management by public bodies.
We plan to contract out a series of audit engagements through a lot based structure. The Financial Audit and Assurance Services Contract will also include provision for the opportunity to procure additional financial audit related services throughout the lifetime of the contract.
For audit engagements under the contract, the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) will retain overall responsibility for signing the audit opinion and the NAO will work with supplier firms to ensure audit and assurance services are carried out in line with the relevant standards and quality expectations.
Audits will need to be carried out to internationally recognised auditing standards but also adapted to the public sector reporting framework, which includes the Government Financial Reporting Manual, and checking that transactions have been applied to the purposes intended by Parliament and conform to the authorities which govern them ('regularity').
The National Audit Office (NAO) is seeking to award Financial Audit and Assurance Services contracts across a number of lots. Under the Financial Audit and Assurance Services contract Partner Firms will deliver audit services for a defined portfolio of audited entities. The contracts will be awarded to experienced Partner Firms who have a proven record of delivering ISA (International Standards on Auditing) compliant audits.
The new Financial Audit and Assurance Services contract will cover the provision of audit services from the 2026-27 audit cycle (year ended 31 March 2027 (unless specified otherwise)). The Financial Audit and Assurance Services Contract will initially cover 3 audit cycles from 2026-27 to 2028-29 with the option to extend for a further 2 audit cycles up to 2030-31. All audits within the lots have a 31 March year end, unless specified otherwise.
The contract is divided into 14 lots. We are seeking Partner Firms to provide audit services under the lots
as follows:
• Lot 1 Crown Estate
• Lot 2 Northern Ireland
• Lot 3 Complex Provisions
• Lot 4 National Savings & Investments
• Lot 5 Defra (Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs) Entities
• Lot 6 Health
• Lot 7 Pensions
• Lot 8 Charities 1
• Lot 9 Charities 2
• Lot 10 Charities 3
• Lot 11 Infrastructure
• Lot 12 Debt Management
• Lot 13 Ministry of Justice (MOJ) Entities
• Lot 14 United Kingdom Export Finance (UKEF)
Interested suppliers will be able to submit a bid for the lots of their choice (maximum of 8 lots). This means if a single supplier bids for the maximum 8 lots and is the preferred supplier based on the award and price evaluation on all 8 lots; they will be awarded all 8 lots that they have bid for.
Supplier(s) will not be permitted to submit bids for more than 8 lots.
The new contract will run for an initial period of 3 years from Tuesday 1st September 2026 until Friday 31st August 2029 with the option to further extend for a period of up to 2 years (by 2 periods of 12 months) until Sunday 31st August 2031 with the estimated overall value of the contract being up to £66.067m inclusive of VAT (£13,213m per annum). No guarantee is given as to the actual value of the contract.
This figure includes an element of contingency and assumptions over additional services that may be procured in addition to contracted-out audit engagements as set out in Appendix A - Statement of Requirement.
Total value (estimated)
- £55,055,833 excluding VAT
- £66,067,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 September 2026 to 31 August 2029
- Possible extension to 31 August 2031
- 5 years
Description of possible extension:
There will be an option to further extend for a period of up to 2 years (by 2 periods of 12 months) until Sunday 31st August 2031
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 79210000 - Accounting and auditing services
Contract locations
- UK - United Kingdom
Lot constraints
Maximum number of lots a supplier can bid for: 8
Maximum number of lots a supplier can be awarded: 8
Description of how multiple lots may be awarded:
Please refer to Invitation to Tender (ITT) documentation for further details.
Lot 1. Crown Estate
Description
We are seeking to award a contract to a Partner Firm who will be expected to deliver audit services to the Crown Estate.
The estimated value for this lot will be up to £2.145m inclusive of VAT
Lot value (estimated)
- £1,787,500 excluding VAT
- £2,145,000 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. Northern Ireland
Description
We are seeking to award a contract to a Partner Firm who will be expected to deliver audit services to Northern Ireland
The estimated value for this lot will be up to £3.627m inclusive of VAT
Lot value (estimated)
- £3,022,500 excluding VAT
- £3,627,000 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. Complex Provisions
Description
We are seeking to award a contract to a Partner Firm who will be expected to deliver audit services to Complex Provisions
The estimated value for this lot will be up to £5.5m inclusive of VAT
Lot value (estimated)
- £4,583,333 excluding VAT
- £5,500,000 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. National Savings & Investments
Description
We are seeking to award a contract to a Partner Firm who will be expected to deliver audit services to National Savings & Investments.
The estimated value for this lot will be up to £4.602m inclusive of VAT
Lot value (estimated)
- £3,835,000 excluding VAT
- £4,602,000 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. Defra Entities
Description
We are seeking to award a contract to a Partner Firm who will be expected to deliver audit services to Defra (Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs) Entities
The estimated value for this lot will be up to £3.510m inclusive of VAT
Lot value (estimated)
- £2,925,000 excluding VAT
- £3,510,000 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 6. Health
Description
We are seeking to award a contract to a Partner Firm who will be expected to deliver audit services to Health
The estimated value for this lot will be up to up to £5.538m inclusive of VAT
Lot value (estimated)
- £4,615,000 excluding VAT
- £5,538,000 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 7. Pensions
Description
We are seeking to award a contract to a Partner Firm who will be expected to deliver audit services to Pensions.
The estimated value for this lot will be up to up to £10.881m inclusive of VAT
Lot value (estimated)
- £9,067,500 excluding VAT
- £10,881,000 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 8. Charities 1
Description
We are seeking to award a contract to a Partner Firm who will be expected to deliver audit services to Charities 1
The estimated value for this lot will be up to up to £3.198m inclusive of VAT
Lot value (estimated)
- £2,665,000 excluding VAT
- £3,198,000 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 9. Charities 2
Description
We are seeking to award a contract to a Partner Firm who will be expected to deliver audit services to Charities 2
The estimated value for this lot will be up to up to £3.042m inclusive of VAT
Lot 9 Charities 2
Lot value (estimated)
- £2,535,000 excluding VAT
- £3,042,000 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 10. Charities 3
Description
We are seeking to award a contract to a Partner Firm who will be expected to deliver audit services to Charities 3
The estimated value for this lot will be up to up to £2.106m inclusive of VAT
Lot value (estimated)
- £1,755,000 excluding VAT
- £2,106,000 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 11. Infrastructure
Description
We are seeking to award a contract to a Partner Firm who will be expected to deliver audit services to Infrastructure
The estimated value for this lot will be up to up to £5.577m inclusive of VAT
Lot value (estimated)
- £4,647,500 excluding VAT
- £5,577,000 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 12. Debt Management
Description
We are seeking to award a contract to a Partner Firm who will be expected to deliver audit services to Debt Management
The estimated value for this lot will be up to up to £5.109m inclusive of VAT
Lot value (estimated)
- £4,257,500 excluding VAT
- £5,109,000 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 13. Ministry of Justice (MOJ) Entities
Description
We are seeking to award a contract to a Partner Firm who will be expected to deliver audit services to Ministry of Justice (MOJ) Entities.
The estimated value for this lot will be up to up to £3.744m inclusive of VAT
Lot value (estimated)
- £3,120,000 excluding VAT
- £3,744,000 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 14. United Kingdom Export Finance (UKEF)
Description
We are seeking to award a contract to a Partner Firm who will be expected to deliver audit services to United Kingdom Export Finance (UKEF)
The estimated value for this lot will be up to up to £7.488m inclusive of VAT
Lot value (estimated)
- £6,240,000 excluding VAT
- £7,488,000 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
Legal and financial capacity conditions of participation
Lot 1. Crown Estate
Lot 2. Northern Ireland
Lot 3. Complex Provisions
Lot 4. National Savings & Investments
Lot 5. Defra Entities
Lot 6. Health
Lot 7. Pensions
Lot 8. Charities 1
Lot 9. Charities 2
Lot 10. Charities 3
Lot 11. Infrastructure
Lot 12. Debt Management
Lot 13. Ministry of Justice (MOJ) Entities
Lot 14. United Kingdom Export Finance (UKEF)
Please refer to Invitation to Tender (ITT) documentation for further details.
Technical ability conditions of participation
Lot 1. Crown Estate
Lot 2. Northern Ireland
Lot 3. Complex Provisions
Lot 4. National Savings & Investments
Lot 5. Defra Entities
Lot 6. Health
Lot 7. Pensions
Lot 8. Charities 1
Lot 9. Charities 2
Lot 10. Charities 3
Lot 11. Infrastructure
Lot 12. Debt Management
Lot 13. Ministry of Justice (MOJ) Entities
Lot 14. United Kingdom Export Finance (UKEF)
Please refer to Invitation to Tender (ITT) documentation for further details.
Particular suitability
Lot 1. Crown Estate
Lot 2. Northern Ireland
Lot 3. Complex Provisions
Lot 4. National Savings & Investments
Lot 5. Defra Entities
Lot 6. Health
Lot 7. Pensions
Lot 8. Charities 1
Lot 9. Charities 2
Lot 10. Charities 3
Lot 11. Infrastructure
Lot 12. Debt Management
Lot 13. Ministry of Justice (MOJ) Entities
Lot 14. United Kingdom Export Finance (UKEF)
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Submission
Enquiry deadline
12 September 2025, 12:00pm
Tender submission deadline
10 November 2025, 12:00pm
Submission address and any special instructions
Supplier information
Potential suppliers interested in this new opportunity MUST ensure to register an account first on the Find a Tender Central Digital platform here https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Search and include their core business details onto the system.
Once potential suppliers accounts have been set up their account on the Find a Tender Central Digital platform and their Share Code has been generated, suppliers should then access the tender documentation as follows:
Tender documentation
The National Audit Office will be using the Delta eSourcing system to electronically conduct this procurement exercise and interested potential suppliers need to express an interest in the opportunity by registering onto the Delta eSourcing system by clicking the
" Register as a Supplier" link at
Once registered and then logged onto Delta, potential suppliers will need to use the Access Code number C32HSU34D7 to locate the procurement exercise.
Then potential Suppliers must select "Register Interest" to view the tender documentation, raise clarification questions and subsequently submit their response to the procurement exercise.
For further assistance with using Delta, please contact the Delta Help Desk on 0800 923 9236.
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
12 February 2026
Award criteria
| Name | Description | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Award | Please refer to Invitation to Tender (ITT) documentation for further details. |
Quality |
Weighting description
Please refer to Invitation to Tender (ITT) documentation for further details.
Other information
Payment terms
Please refer to Invitation to Tender (ITT) documentation for further details.
Description of risks to contract performance
Please refer to Invitation to Tender (ITT) documentation for further details.
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Justification for not publishing a preliminary market engagement notice
An preliminary market engagement notice was published using the Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-04e914 on Monday 3rd March 2025.
We invited interested suppliers to attend a Virtual Market Engagement event that took place on Monday 7th April 2025 at 2.30 to 4.30pm.
The purpose of the event was to offer attendees the opportunity to hear about the requirement and proposed procurement routes for the Financial Audit and Assurance services contract.
Contracting authority
National Audit Office
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PBHM-8926-YDNL
157-197 Buckingham Palace Road
London
SW1W 9SP
United Kingdom
Email: NAO.Procurement@nao.org.uk
Region: UKI32 - Westminster
Organisation type: Public authority - central government