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Published 23 May 2025, 14:59 BST

Official UK procurement notice

Greater Manchester Contractor Recruitment Services Framework (GMCRSF)

Official notice

Authority: Transport for Greater Manchester (Public body)

Framework agreement5 lotsServicesCompetitive flexible procedureAbove thresholdUtilitiesSME suitable
Framework ceiling (notional)£60,000,000total for 5 lots · framework ceiling, not attributable revenue · 2 value updates
Submissions closed 13 Feb 2026
Lots 5see the lot list below
Framework period 4 yrsends 30 Nov 2030 · starts 1 Dec 2026

What is being bought5 lots · detail below

Published requirement description

TfGM is aiming to establish a corporate Greater Manchester Contractor Recruitment Services Framework (GMCRSF) and is seeking to partner with recruitment agencies. The aim is to streamline the procurement of agency services at TfGM, addressing existing inefficiencies and inconsistencies. This initiative seeks to enhance operational efficiencies, improve the quality-of-service delivery, and ensure compliance with Procurement Act 2023.

Currently, TfGM uses a Preferred Supplier List (PSL) of recruitment agencies to provide both permanent and contract personnel, covering positions from entry-level to management, across multiple departments such as IT, Project Management, Bus Services and Transport. The agencies on the PSL specialise in one or more professional areas.

The Greater Manchester Contractor Recruitment Services Framework will be TfGM's preferred method for procuring contractor services.

The proposed framework will encompass all contractor recruitment-related services required by TfGM over a four-year period and will be available for use across the entire organisation including GMCA, Greater Manchester councils, Fire service, and Greater Manchester Police.

The framework will consist of 5 Lots and each Lot will cover a particular specialism.

  • How the procedure runs: Please refer to the procurement specific questionnaire available from the noted Pro Contract ePortal.
  • No preliminary market engagement: The PIN and preliminary market notice have been published under PCR 2015.

CPV: Recruitment services

How this framework works

From the published notice
Type
Open framework
Call-offs
call-offs may be awarded directly or by further competition
Places
up to 15 suppliers
Framework period
4 yrs from 1 Dec 2026
Buyer regions
UKD3
Supplier levy on call-offs (max %)

1% of call-off value · Please refer to the Rebate Mechanism within the tender documentation published on ProContract.

Who may buy through it

Greater Manchester Combined Authority

the Borough of Bolton

the Metropolitan Borough of Bury

the Council of the City of Manchester

Oldham Borough Council

Rochdale Metropolitan Council

the Council of the City of Salford

the Metropolitan Borough Council of Stockport

the Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council

Trafford Borough Council

Wigan Borough Council

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service

GMP and Transport for Greater Manchester (where Transport for Greater Manchester are themselves not the Customer)

Published description of the framework

Upon the award of the Framework, the selection process for the award the contracts will be both Direct Award and Mini-competition.

Lots and requirements (5)Procurement structure

5 lots · all with a published value · same evaluation weights on every lot
Lot #1Project Delivery 4 yrsSMEPublished value£16,800,000

Project Delivery is undertaken by the Projects Group department within Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM). The team's goal is to develop and deliver projects and programmes throughout Greater Manchester. We do this through providing a range of mature project and programme management services to support the realisation of business benefits through the development and delivery of the TfGM change portfolio as well as supporting the wider Greater Manchester family.

This lot will include but not be limited to Programme Management, Project Cost and Commercial Management, Project Controls and Risk Management Services. This may also include Business Change programmes/ projects and relevant roles from time to time as required by the organisation.

Contract period: 1 Dec 2026 – 30 Nov 2030 (4 yrs)Value: £16,800,000 exc. VAT · £20,160,000 inc. VAT
Delivery: North WestEligibility: SME eligible
Lot #2Digital, Data & Technology 4 yrsSMEPublished value£34,800,000

The Information Systems team at Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) is responsible for strategy, delivery, support, and maintenance of TfGM's Digital and Technology Services that are used to run and manage the Greater Manchester Public Transport Network and TfGM. Digital and Technology roles are aligned to the Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework, reflecting the evolving skill sets and capabilities required to support a modern, digitally enabled transport network and organisation.

This Lot covers the provision of digital and technology contractor services to support the planning, delivery, transformation, and ongoing support and maintenance of Digital, Data and Technology (DDaT) initiatives across TfGM.

Contract period: 1 Dec 2026 – 30 Nov 2030 (4 yrs)Value: £34,800,000 exc. VAT · £41,760,000 inc. VAT
Delivery: North WestEligibility: SME eligible
Lot #3Transport Specific Skills 4 yrsSMEPublished value£6,000,000

This lot covers provision of contractors to support the professional advice and services required to undertake a wide range of operational and strategic network planning, design and management activities associated with operating a franchised bus network, as well as the provision and operation of on highways, tram and heavy rail transport.

These tasks will support evidence building for policies, strategies, service interventions and projects, and must be completed in line with best practice and guidance from TfGM, the Department for Transport (DfT) and and other relevant bodies. Appropriate skills will be required across the range of network planning, design, operational and commercial functions, ensuring integrated and efficient transport solutions for Greater Manchester.

Contract period: 1 Dec 2026 – 30 Nov 2030 (4 yrs)Value: £6,000,000 exc. VAT · £7,200,000 inc. VAT
Delivery: North WestEligibility: SME eligible
Lot #4Commercial & Finance 4 yrsSMEPublished value£1,200,000

Lot 4 of the Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) Greater Manchester Contractor Recruitment Services Framework intends to provide access to highly skilled contractors who can deliver strategic commercial advice and financial services across the transport sector.

This Lot aims to ensure TfGM has the flexibility to engage expert contractors capable of supporting strategic decision-making and delivering critical commercial and financial insights. These capabilities are essential for the effective planning, management, and delivery of Greater Manchester's transport network.

Contract period: 1 Dec 2026 – 30 Nov 2030 (4 yrs)Value: £1,200,000 exc. VAT · £1,440,000 inc. VAT
Delivery: North WestEligibility: SME eligible
Lot #5Transport Strategy 4 yrsSMEPublished value£1,800,000

Lot 5 of the Greater Manchester Contractor Recruitment Services Framework intends to provide access to highly skilled contractors who can deliver strategic services across the full range of the transport sector - this may relate to single transport modes (such as specialist rail resource, supporting rail-specific planning, operations and strategy), to multi-modal problems and opportunities (such as growth or decarbonisation), or to specific thematic areas (for example, school bus provision). The Lot intends to provide access to a range of contractors who may either: undertake the work itself ('doing'); provide checks, peer reviews and audits to enable independent assurance and quality control ('assuring'); or participate in the formal decision-making process ('governing').

Contract period: 1 Dec 2026 – 30 Nov 2030 (4 yrs)Value: £1,800,000 exc. VAT · £2,160,000 inc. VAT
Delivery: North WestEligibility: SME eligible

What it takes to win
i

How this buyer will score bids.

The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).

Evaluation split and conditions of participation as published; the tender pack may add more
How bids were scored · same split on all 5 lots
Quality: 70%Price: 30%
Published sub-criteria (2)
  • Qualitative: 70%
  • Quantitative: 30%
Published award criteria (2)
  • Qualitative: Qualitative elements including Social Value are fully detailed within the draft ITT documentation.
  • Quantitative: Price criterion as fully detailed with the draft ITT documentation.
What this means for your bid
  • Price carries 30 of 100 points: a 10% discount moves about 3 points. The method statement decides this lot, not the discount.
  • “Greater Manchester Contractor Recruitment Services Framework (GMCRSF)” is a framework: the contest is a place on its panel, up to 15 suppliers, not a single contract: call-offs may be direct or by further competition.

Price arithmetic assumes straight proportional scoring; the tender pack may use another formula.

Procedure terms & legal framework

From the official record
Procedure method
Competitive flexible procedure
Legal basis
UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023
Procurement category
Services
Notice status
Closed
Procurement threshold
Above threshold (FTS publication)
Regulatory regime
Utilities
Commercial structure
Framework agreement
Who may use this agreement
Greater Manchester Combined Authority the Borough of Bolton the Metropolitan Borough of Bury the Council of the City of Manchester Oldham Borough Council Rochdale Metropolitan Council the Council of the City of Salford the Metropolitan Borough Council of Stockport the Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council Trafford Borough Council Wigan Borough Council Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service GMP and Transport for Greater Manchester (where Transport for Greater Manchester are themselves not the Customer)
Competition type
Competitive procedure
GPA / WTO covered
Yes (GPA)
Recurring procurement
Unspecified in notice
First published
23 May 2025, 14:59 BST
Last source update
6 Jan 2026, 12:32 GMT
Award evaluation window
Submission end – 2 Nov 2026
Authority reference
DN762147
FTS notice number
2026/S 000-000638
Latest notice
Tender notice (UK4)
Classification (CPV)
Recruitment services
Delivery area
North West (UKD)
Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-052376 Find a Tender
How it runs

Please refer to the procurement specific questionnaire available from the noted Pro Contract ePortal.

How it was run

Official notice
Run through: ProContract (Due North) · Who buys & how to bid on ProContract
Supplier login requiredElectronic submission allowedLanguage: EN
Access & registration note: Free · short registration with manual review; public opportunity list
Requests to participate (first stage)
13 Feb 2026, 12:00 GMT
Appointment period ends
13 Feb 2026, 12:00 GMT
Clarification deadline
30 Jan 2026, 17:00 GMT
Submission channel
Official e-sourcing portal
Electronic submission
Allowed
Accepted languages
en
Supplier levy on call-offs (max %)

call-off levy · 1% of call-off value · Please refer to the Rebate Mechanism within the tender documentation published on ProContract.

Detailed submission instructions & authority contactsFrom official release

procontract.due-north.com/Register ↗

The Pro-Contract ref number is DN762147.

Timeline

23 May 2025 → 1 Dec 2026 · 7 dates
  1. Planning notice published
    23 May 2025, 14:59 BST
  2. Next notice expected
    30 Jun 2025, 23:59 BST
  3. Tender notice published297 days ago
    6 Jan 2026, 12:15 GMT
  4. Clarification questions by273 days ago
    30 Jan 2026, 17:00 GMT
  5. Admission / appointment period ends259 days ago · period end, not a bid countdown
    13 Feb 2026, 12:00 GMT
  6. Today
    30 Oct 2026
  7. Award decision expected byin 3 days
    2 Nov 2026, 23:59 GMT
  8. Contract startsin 31 days
    1 Dec 2026

Notice history

7 events · 3 releases on Find a Tender · since 23 May 2025
  1. Pipeline notice published
    23 May 2025, 14:59 BST
    UK1
  2. Tender notice published
    6 Jan 2026, 12:15 GMT
    UK4
  3. Published value updated
    6 Jan 2026, 12:15 GMT
  4. Status changed to active
    6 Jan 2026, 12:15 GMT
  5. Procurement method changed
    6 Jan 2026, 12:15 GMT
  6. Tender notice published
    6 Jan 2026, 12:32 GMT
    UK4
  7. Published value published: £60,000,000
    6 Jan 2026, 12:32 GMT

Contracting authority & participating public bodies

Transport for Greater Manchester

Contracting authorityPublic authority - sub-central government GB-PPON: PNJQ-2746-NWYT 2 Piccadilly Place, Manchester, North West, M1 3BGContact name, email

Official documents & specifications (4)

Official links; attachments are not copied

Tender pack and attachments

  • Bidding documents and specifications tenderBidding documents and specificationsTfGM are using Pro-Contract / The Chest for the management of this procurement. This is where the tender documents will be held and where suppliers must submit their bids. The Pro-Contract ref number is DN762147. If interested suppliers are not registered already on this e-sourci…

Notices published for this procedure

  • Tender notice tenderTender noticeUK4Tender notice on Find a Tender
  • Tender notice tenderTender noticeUK4Tender notice on Find a Tender
  • Pipeline notice planningPipeline noticeUK1Pipeline notice on Find a Tender