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Mediation and Investigation Services for UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) for the draft specification and a copy of the market engagement questionnaire. \nIf you are interested in the requirement after reviewing the draft specification and can provide the services required, please email corservices@uksbs.co.uk for the attention of Lucy Walters with the title CSP25602 - Mediation and Investigation Services for UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) no later than Thursday 9th April 2026 at 2:00pm. \nBy registering your interest and providing information you will be entering into non-competitive dialogue which will enable the Contracting Authority to develop and assess the market's appetite, concerns and view of the formulation of its requirements. The Contracting Authority may consider the information and responses received as part of the preliminary market consultant to help inform the specification and further decision making in relation to the planning and conduct of the proposed procurement, ensuring all valid options are considered.\nAny information supplied as part of preliminary market consultation shall not place any supplier at an advantage in a potential procurement process.\nPlease note this is a draft specification and is subject to change." } ], "dueDate": [ { "releaseID": "028635-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-03-27T15:04:52Z", "releaseTag": [ "planning" ], "value": "2026-04-09T23:59:59+01:00" } ], "status": [ { "releaseID": "028635-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-03-27T15:04:52Z", "releaseTag": [ "planning" ], "value": "scheduled" } ] } ], "documents": [ { "id": "028635-2026", "documentType": [ { "releaseID": "028635-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-03-27T15:04:52Z", "releaseTag": [ "planning" ], "value": "marketEngagementNotice" } ], "noticeType": [ { "releaseID": "028635-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-03-27T15:04:52Z", "releaseTag": [ "planning" ], "value": "UK2" } ], "description": [ { "releaseID": "028635-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-03-27T15:04:52Z", "releaseTag": [ "planning" ], "value": "Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender" } ], "url": [ { "releaseID": "028635-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-03-27T15:04:52Z", "releaseTag": [ "planning" ], "value": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/028635-2026" } ], "datePublished": [ { "releaseID": "028635-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-03-27T15:04:52Z", "releaseTag": [ "planning" ], "value": "2026-03-27T15:04:52Z" } ], "format": [ { "releaseID": "028635-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-03-27T15:04:52Z", "releaseTag": [ "planning" ], "value": "text/html" } ] } ] }, "tender": { "id": [ { "releaseID": "028635-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-03-27T15:04:52Z", "releaseTag": [ "planning" ], "value": "CSP25602" } ], "legalBasis": { "id": [ { "releaseID": "028635-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-03-27T15:04:52Z", "releaseTag": [ "planning" ], "value": "2023/54" } ], "scheme": [ { "releaseID": "028635-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-03-27T15:04:52Z", "releaseTag": [ "planning" ], "value": "UKPGA" } ], "uri": [ { "releaseID": "028635-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-03-27T15:04:52Z", "releaseTag": [ "planning" ], "value": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents" } ] }, "title": [ { "releaseID": "028635-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-03-27T15:04:52Z", "releaseTag": [ "planning" ], "value": "CSP25602 - Mediation and Investigation Services" } ], "description": [ { "releaseID": "028635-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-03-27T15:04:52Z", "releaseTag": [ "planning" ], "value": "Procurement Description\nUnited Kingdom Research and Innovation (UKRI) will shortly publish a procurement to either appoint one or more suppliers to deliver mediation and investigation services under three Lots. \nThe three are listed as follows: Lot 1 - Mediator Pool, Lot 2- Mediator Training, Lot 3 - Investigator Refresher Training. Lot 1 will run from 2026 to 2027, Lot 2 will run from 2027 to 2028 and Lot 3 will run from 2026 to 2027. \nAt this stage UKRI have structured the procurement into the following three Lots however bidders are to note this structure is not guaranteed and subject to change. The structure will be informed by the responses received as part of this Market Engagement Questionnaire. UKRI are currently considering the following options:\n•\tThree individual Lots as described below\n•\tCombine Lot 1 and Lot 2 to form a single Lot\n•\tCombine all Lots into one singular requirement\nUKRI are seeking engagement with the market to better inform our requirements. Intrested suppliers are to refer to the Engagement section of this notice for further details on preliminary market engagement process being undertaken. \nBackground \nThe Raising Concerns project aims to create a safer, respectful workplace by harmonising policies and processes, introducing a single digital front door for reporting (launch April 2026), strengthening investigation and mediation capacity, expanding informal resolution options, and embedding cultural change through updated training and restorative practices. This will promote openness, accountability, and psychological safety while reducing harm and improving organisational resilience.Therefore, UKRI is transforming its complaints and grievance procedure, supported by a new digital front door. As part of this transformation, UKRI is strengthening its mediation and investigation capability to ensure concerns are handled fairly, consistently, proportionately, and in compliance with employment and equality legislation.\nComplaints and grievances may include:\n•\tWorkplace disputes.\n•\tAllegations of bullying or harassment.\n•\tDiscrimination and victimisation claims.\n•\tWhistleblowing concerns.\n•\tSenior-level or executive grievances.\n•\tHigh-sensitivity or reputationally significant matters.\nAims and Objectives\nLot 1 - Mediator Pool:\nUKRI’s major initiative - Raising Concerns and the corresponding work processes and training will mainly focus on cases where line managers are unable resolve a work situation such as conflict or a grievance, it will be escalated through a revised formal and streamlined process. \nAt this stage, mediation may be required and, in this respect, it is important that UKRI have access to a pool of trained and competent mediators in place to meet the potential demand.Therefore, the aim is to establish access to a high-quality, scalable panel of independent mediators with specialist expertise in employment and workplace dispute resolution who can support the organisation in resolving grievances, reducing litigation risk, and strengthening internal capability through knowledge transfer and training. \nLot 2 - Mediator Training\nThe aims of this Lot is for suppliers to demonstrate how they will:\n1.\tProvide rapid access to skilled mediators\n2.\tDeliver legally robust mediation\n3.\tSupport early resolution and risk reduction\n4.\tEmbed skills transfer and capability building\n5.\tEnsure consistency and professional standards\n6.\tOperate with independence and impartiality\nLot 3 - Investigator Refresher Training\nThe aim is to strengthen organisation investigative capability through targeted refresher training for existing investigators able to manage complex sensitive, or high-risk employment grievance investigations.\nSuppliers responding to the investigator refresher training Lot shall demonstrate how they will:\n1.\tEnhance investigator competence\n2.\tSupport newly qualified/inexperienced investigators\n3.\tStrengthen legal and procedural robustness\n4.\tPromote consistency, fairness and credibility\nAny suppliers would need to demonstrate and provide assurance that they have the professional expertise, experience, qualification, accreditation and certification required. 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