Scope
Description
This procurement exercise is being conducted on behalf of the Welsh Government to establish a contract for an Information and Advice Quality Framework. The IAQF was published in 2019 and many independently owned Advice Quality Standards operating in the UK have now applied for and been awarded IAQF Approved Accrediting Body status. An advice provider in Wales, who holds a quality standard awarded by an IAQF accredited body, is able to display the IAQF logo, demonstrating that their service has been independently assessed as meeting the Welsh Government's expectations of a quality assured advice service. The IAQF continues to seek to provide a consistent approach to ensuring and assuring quality information, advice and guidance for the people of Wales.
The successful bidder will be required to a provide a range of support services through the new contract which will include:
• Management of all processes relating to the successful operation of the Information and Advice Quality Framework for Wales (IAQF) Independent Assessment Service.
• Managing the reassessment process of existing IAQF Accredited Bodies for Standards Owners who wish to become quality assured under an Advice Quality Standard with the IAQF.
• Provide guidance, support and advice to Standard Owners.
• Develop and implement a Wales wide communication strategy to raise awareness of the IAQF amongst stakeholders,
• Engage with other funders of advice services, including local authorities, to promote and encourage the use of Welsh Government's approach and only fund advice providers who hold an Advice Quality Standard awarded by an IAQF Accredited Body.
• Deliver advice and practical support to advice service providers, helping them apply for a quality standard for the first time.
• Provide expert advice to Welsh Government to improve the service.
• Explore options and share findings with Welsh Government on ways to support smaller providers to prepare for and/or undergo the audit processes to gain accreditation to an Advice Quality Standard.
The successful bidder will be awarded an initial 12-month contract with options to extend for a further 12 + 12 months for up to a maximum of 3 years.
Total value (estimated)
- £240,000 excluding VAT
- £240,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 December 2025 to 30 November 2026
- Possible extension to 30 November 2028
- 3 years
Description of possible extension:
Extension period of one year plus one year available (up to a maximum of three year contract in total)
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 79212000 - Auditing services
- 79400000 - Business and management consultancy and related services
- 85300000 - Social work and related services
Contract locations
- UKL - Wales
Participation
Legal and financial capacity conditions of participation
See Tender documents
Technical ability conditions of participation
See tender documents
Particular suitability
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Submission
Enquiry deadline
24 October 2025, 2:00pm
Tender submission deadline
31 October 2025, 2:00pm
Submission address and any special instructions
E-Tender Information:https://etenderwales.bravosolution.co.uk- The first person from your Organisation to use the Platform will be required to register on behalf of the Organisation.- Registration involves accepting a User Agreement, and providing basic information about your Organisation and about the Userperforming the Registration.- On registering on the Platform the Super User will select a Username and will receive a password.- The Password will be sent by e-mail to the email address that was specified in the User Details section of the Registration page.- In order to log-in to the Platform please enter your Username and Password.- Note: If you forget your Password then visit the homepage and click "Forgot your password?"- Registration should only be performed once for each Organisation.- If you think that someone in your Organisation may have already registered on this Platform then you must not register again.- Please contact the person who Registered (i.e. the Super User) in order to arrange access to the Platform.- Contact the Helpdesk immediately if you are unable to contact the Super User (for example if they have left your Organisation).- Note: If your Organisation is already registered on the Platform then you must not make any additional registration. Please contact theHelpdesk to gain access to the Platform.- Tenders must be uploaded to the BravoSolution portal by 14:00. Late bids will not be accepted.How To Find The ITT:- Once logged in you must click on 'ITT's Open to all Suppliers'- The e-tender references for this contract are: project_60468 and itt_120006- Click on the title to access summary details of the contract. If you are still interested in submitting a tender, click the 'Express an Interest'button. This will move the ITT from the 'Open to all Suppliers' area to the 'My ITT's' on the home page.- You will then see the full details of the ITT in the qualification and technical envelopes along with any relevant documents in the'Attachments' area.- Any questions on the ITT, please use the 'Messages' area to contact the buyer directly - Please do not contact the named person at the topof this notice.NOTE: The authority is using eTenderwales to carry out this procurement process. To obtain further information record your interest onSell2Wales at https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/search/search_switch.aspx?ID=105095(WA Ref:107985)The buyer considers that this contract is suitable for consortia.
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
- Welsh
- English
Award decision date (estimated)
10 November 2025
Award criteria
| Name | Description | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service Delivery | Service Delivery |
Quality | 30.00% |
| Price | See Tender Docs |
Price | 30.00% |
| Contract Management | Contract Management |
Quality | 20.00% |
| Sustainability | Sustainability |
Quality | 20.00% |
Other information
Payment terms
See tender documents
Description of risks to contract performance
See tender documents
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Justification for not publishing a preliminary market engagement notice
A PIN was issued in November 2024 for this opportunity, however the CPV codes used were not wide, and a decision was made to tender under the new Procurement Act regime.
Documents
Associated tender documents
https://etenderwales.bravosolution.co.uk/
Reference project_60468, itt_120006
Technical specifications to be met
http://www.etenderwales.bravosolution.co.uk
Please see tender documents
Contracting authority
Llywodraeth Cymru / Welsh Government
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PQYQ-3841-BHTP
Gwasanaethau Caffael Corfforaethol / Corporate Procurement Services
Cardiff
CF10 3NQ
United Kingdom
Region: UKL22 - Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan
Organisation type: Public authority - central government
Devolved regulations that apply: Wales