Scope
Reference
250285
Description
With a large and diverse membership of staff and students, it is important for the University to have in place a fair, transparent, accessible and robust process for dealing with complaints and allegations of misconduct. The University also recognises the potential risk to its reputation and considers that, in order to improve the management of this risk and thereby protect the Queen's brand and also being mindful of the University's core values, it would be desirable to engage the services of a firm of investigators to conduct complex or high-risk investigations.
Therefore, the University is seeking to engage a Supplier to undertake investigations into complaints and allegations of misconduct brought by/against students and by/against members of staff. Such complaints or allegations may be complex, sensitive or pose a high risk to the University and may include allegations of sexual misconduct or inappropriate behaviour; allegations of racism, sexism, homophobia; allegations of bullying, harassment, discrimination.
Total value (estimated)
- £266,000 excluding VAT
- £319,200 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 16 February 2026 to 15 February 2027
- Possible extension to 15 February 2031
- 5 years
Description of possible extension:
The Contract shall be for an initial period of 1 year, with the option to extend the contract by up to a further 48 Months subject to satisfactory annual review
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 79720000 - Investigation services
Contract locations
- UKN - Northern Ireland
Submission
Enquiry deadline
15 December 2025, 4:00pm
Tender submission deadline
22 December 2025, 4:00pm
Submission address and any special instructions
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
29 January 2026
Recurring procurement
Publication date of next tender notice (estimated): 2 August 2030
Award criteria
| Name | Description | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technical | Calibre of Investigators 25% Service Delivery 15% Data Security and Management 10% Reliability of Service 5% Value For Money 5% Responsible Procurement 5% |
Quality | 65% |
| Price | Price | 35% |
Other information
Description of risks to contract performance
Risks that Queen's considers could either jeopardise the satisfactory performance of the public contract, or may require a subsequent modification to the contract under paragraph 5 of Schedule 8 to the Procurement Act 2023 are detailed within the Specification. The Specification forms part of the associated tender documents, which can be accessed via the link provided within this notice.
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Documents
Associated tender documents
https://in-tendhost.co.uk/queensuniversitybelfast/aspx/Home
Tender documents are accessible from web address provided
Contracting authority
Queen's University Belfast
- Charity Commission for Northern Ireland: 101788
University Rd
Belfast
BT7 1NN
United Kingdom
Contact name: Fei Li Toh
Email: procurement@qub.ac.uk
Website: https://in-tendhost.co.uk/queensuniversitybelfast/aspx/Home
Region: UKN06 - Belfast
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government
Devolved regulations that apply: Northern Ireland