ID 6274755 - DFE - Invest NI - Technical Advisory - PRE-MARKET ENGAGEMENT
Invest Northern IrelandEstimated Value
Not specified
Deadline
Not specified
Published
25 March 2026
Type
Not specified
Overview
Invest Northern Ireland's Innovation, Research & Development Division (IR&DD) is preparing to retender its R&D Technical Advisory Framework and want to understand what would help make the tender process accessible, proportionate and attractive to potential suppliers. IR&DD supports local organisations to develop and commercialise innovative products, processes and services that contribute to Northern Ireland's economic growth.
We achieve this by providing grant funding, specialist guidance, and connections to research partners through programmes such as Grant for R&D and Proof of Concept. As part of the assessment process for R&D funding applications, a technical appraisal is required to determine project suitability.
These appraisals are carried out either by our internal Technology Executives or with the support of external independent advisors with the relevant technical expertise. External advisors are typically engaged for projects seeking more than £1m of support or where the work involves applied research at lower Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs).
Submission
If you wish to participate in the Contracting Authority's (Invest NI) Preliminary Market Engagement for this requirement, a questionnaire for completion is available via the following Link (please copy and paste this to your browser for access): https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/invest-ni-technical-advis... The questionnaire must be completed and submitted via this link by the engagement deadline of 09/04/2026
Additional details
Consultants may also be asked to complete technical reviews at key points during the project i.e., midway and at the end of the project. For the next framework period, Invest NI also intend to include the option for independent advisors to support Post Project Evaluations (PPEs), conducted 3-5 years after project completion.
These evaluations assess outcomes, benefits, lessons learned and the counterfactual-what would have occurred in the absence of funding. To deliver these commitments, IR&DD operates a four year framework of independent consultants.
Our current framework expires in November 2026, and we are preparing to procure a new framework to run from November 2026 to November 2030. If you are interested in providing these services to Invest NI, we would appreciate your feedback to help us shape the new framework. Depending on the volume of responses we may also arrange follow-up discussions.
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Likely incumbents
Suppliers who won similar work from this buyer in the last 5 years.
- 1
GRANT THORNTON NI LLP
2 contracts wonlatest 10 Sept 2026ends 19 Aug 2028£2m
total awarded
- 2
OCO GLOBAL LTD
2 contracts wonlatest 10 Sept 2026ends 19 Aug 2028£3m
total awarded
- 3
SQW LTD
2 contracts wonlatest 10 Sept 2026ends 19 Aug 2028£3m
total awarded
- 4
AMION CONSULTING LTD
2 contracts wonlatest 10 Sept 2026ends 19 Aug 2028£3m
total awarded
- 5
OVE ARUP & PARTNERS LIMITED
£4m
total awarded
GRANT THORNTON NI LLP is the most likely incumbent based on recency and category match. To win, bidders typically need a clearly differentiated proposition or a price advantage.
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two years of filed accountsyour financial standingturnover vs contract valueyour Companies House recordcash flow for 30-day termscredit scores and ratios
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Buyer Profile
Invest Northern IrelandKey Dates
Published
25 March 2026
Submission deadline
Not specified
Notice type
planning
Source
find a tender
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