Scope
Reference
CPD4128021
Description
To appoint an external Supplier that can quickly mobilise resources to coordinate and conduct external assurance reviews of local authorities where those local authorities are identified as carrying significant risk and / or exhibiting evidence of failure. The reviews may cover a range of subject areas that include but are not limited to: governance processes, financial management, financial sustainability, commercial and companies, and procurement and contract management. Reviews will include recommendations on appropriate steps local authorities could take to address the issues / risks identified.
It is expected that the areas of focus for each review will not be mutually exclusive, and the Supplier is expected to consider the interdependencies across the different areas as required. There may be additional focuses for specific local authorities that may be included in review scopes, for instance, specific demand pressures or investments / companies that are driving financial pressures.
External Assurance Reviews will be categorised as either (but not limited to)
"in depth assessment (finance and governance)" - will encompass a wide scope across a range of subject areas
"in depth assessment (finance)" - scopes which are principally focused on financial management & sustainability and/ or capital / debt & investments / assets, and improvement only
"in depth assessment (governance)" - reviews focused on the governance, culture and leadership of organisation or service delivery (and improvement) - with only limited focus on financial elements of the authority under view
"rapid review" (which could be financial or governance focused in nature)
Under this contract the Supplier will be expected to deliver against the following objectives:
Objective 1 - Delivering Reviews: To deliver to MHCLG completed external assurance reviews of local authorities to an agreed timeframe to enable timely actions to be taken in response to their findings;
Objective 2 - Consistency and Quality: To ensure consistency of quality, depth, and presentation of external assurance reviews, and that all reviews meet a good standard of written English;
Objective 3 - Constructive Working Relationships: To work constructively with local authorities subject to an external assurance review to ensure review analysis and findings are robust, and maintain as far as possible a collaborative working relationship between local authority, Supplier and MHCLG;
Objective 4 - Due Diligence to Reduce Legal Risk: To ensure that conflicts of interest are managed appropriately, and that the Supplier undertakes due diligence to reduce legal risk in all respects, this includes ensuring appropriate due diligence where a review implicates an identifiable individual.
Objective 5 - Resource Capacity: To ensure resource capacity and flexibility is provided so that reviews can continue to be delivered to the agreed timeframes, particularly where reviews are occurring concurrently.
Objective 6 - Expertise: To ensure Supplier reviewers / review teams have the necessary experience, expertise, qualifications and understanding of the local authority sector, reflecting the review scope may flex subject to the issues identified in individual local authorities.
Total value (estimated)
- £4,500,000 excluding VAT
- £5,400,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 28 November 2025 to 1 December 2026
- Possible extension to 28 November 2028
- 3 years, 1 day
Description of possible extension:
There will be an optional extension period of two years (+1+1). The financial cap for the initial 12 months will be a maximum of £1,500,000 ex VAT. Any extension period would be subject to requirements, a variation process, funding approval and performance of the supplier up to a maximum value of £3,000,000 ex VAT (for the optional extension years). The maximum value of the contract including any extension years is £4,500,000 ex VAT.
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 66171000 - Financial consultancy services
Submission
Tender submission deadline
3 October 2025, 12:00pm
Submission address and any special instructions
Associated tender documents
https://atamis-5407.my.site.com/login?locale=us
The key documents supporting this procurement can be found and accessed in the Log on to the MHCLG Atamis e-procurement supplier website. The Authority will be administering the Procurement Process electronically via this eSourcing Portal. All communications with the Authority must be conducted via the Portal.
Support is available to help Suppliers to understand and use the Portal or query any issues with the eSourcing Portal via the following link:
https://suppliersupport.atamis.co.uk/hc/en-gb/sections/4612344115359
If you can't find what you're looking for there, the customer support team is available to assist you from 8 am - 6 pm (UK time in the English Language), excluding holidays by submitting a request;
https://suppliersupport.atamis.co.uk/hc/en-gb/requests/new
For urgent technical assistance please call the helpdesk, Phone 44 29 2280 9277 Operational Hours 08:00-18:00 Monday - Friday Excluding Public Holidays
Access Tender in Portal.pdf
Guide to accessing the tender documents
Access Tender in Portal (4).pdf
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
31 October 2025
Award criteria
| Name | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Technical Response | Quality | 100% |
Other information
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Documents
Associated tender documents
Access Tender in Portal (4) (1).pdf
Associated tender documents
https://atamis-5407.my.site.com/login?locale=us
The key documents supporting this procurement can be found and accessed in the Log on to the MHCLG Atamis e-procurement supplier website. The Authority will be administering the Procurement Process electronically via this eSourcing Portal. All communications with the Authority must be conducted via the Portal.
Support is available to help Suppliers to understand and use the Portal or query any issues with the eSourcing Portal via the following link:
https://suppliersupport.atamis.co.uk/hc/en-gb/sections/4612344115359
For urgent technical assistance please call the helpdesk, Phone 44 29 2280 9277 Operational Hours 08:00-18:00 Monday - Friday Excluding Public Holidays
Guide to accessing the tender documents
Access Tender in Portal (4).pdf
Contracting authority
Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PWCX-8281-CLPR
2 Marsham Street
London United Kingdom
SW1P 4DF
United Kingdom
Region: UKI32 - Westminster
Organisation type: Public authority - central government