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.
Contract 1. External Assurance Reviews of Local Authorities
Supplier
Contract value
- £4,500,000 excluding VAT
- £5,400,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Date signed
25 November 2025
Contract dates
- 28 November 2025 to 1 December 2026
- Possible extension to 1 December 2028
- 3 years, 4 days
Description of possible extension:
There is 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
Contract locations
- UK - United Kingdom
Key performance indicators
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Cost | Supplier Cost remains within agreed parameters - frequency will be per commission/invoice |
| Quality | Quality of reviews must provide assurance and expert analysis to support robust credible decisions by the authority on Exceptional Financial Support taking interventionist steps to ensure VfM/reduce... |
| Time - In Depth Assessment | A draft of each in-depth assessment must be submitted within 5 weeks of commissioning (unless agreed by exception) Frequency will be per assessment. |
| Time - Rapid Reviews | A draft of each rapid review must be submitted by the end of week 2 from commissioning. Frequency will be per review. |
| Time - Final Reviews | Final reviews must be delivered within 6 - 8 weeks of commissioning (unless agreed by exception). Frequency will be per review. |
| Progress Reports | The supplier must provide fortnightly updates for each ongoing review to keep the authority informed of progress to include progress to date, risks / issues encountered and mitigations, and forecast... |
| Social Value Commitment 1 - Workshops | Social Value Theme 3: Resilient, innovative and flexible supply chains: Support economic growth through enabling resilient businesses, opportunities for small businesses and voluntary, community and... |
| Social Value Commitment 2 - Participant Engagement & Outcomes | Social Value Theme 3: Resilient, innovative and flexible supply chains: Support economic growth through enabling resilient businesses, opportunities for small businesses and voluntary, community and... |
Other information
Applicable trade agreements
- Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Supplier
CIPFA BUSINESS LIMITED
- Companies House: 02376684
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PDXT-3827-YNGN
77 Mansell Street
London
E1 8AN
United Kingdom
Email: trackernotices@cipfa.org
Website: http://www.cipfa.org
Region: UKI42 - Tower Hamlets
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): Yes
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Supported employment provider: No
Public service mutual: No
Contract 1. External Assurance Reviews of Local Authorities
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