Official UK procurement notice
Provision of Internal Audit Services
Authority: Arts University Bournemouth (Education)
What is being bought
Published requirement descriptionArts University Bournemouth wishes to appoint a suitably qualified and independent provider to deliver a fully outsourced Internal Audit Service. The appointed provider will act as the University's Internal Audit function and provide independent assurance to the Board of Governors and Audit & Risk Committee regarding the adequacy and effectiveness of governance, risk management, internal control and value-for-money arrangements.
The contract will include, but not be limited to:
- Provision of a named Head of Internal Audit;
- Development of a risk-based Internal Audit Strategy and Annual Audit Plan;
- Delivery of risk-based internal audit reviews;
- Reporting to the Audit & Risk Committee and Board of Governors as required;
- Follow-up and monitoring of management actions;
- Provision of an annual Head of Internal Audit Opinion;
- Special investigations and advisory assignments where independence can be maintained; and
- Coordination with External Audit and other assurance providers.
The contract is expected to commence on 1 August 2027 for an initial term of three years, with the option to extend for up to two additional periods of twelve months.
This procurement is being conducted using a two-stage Competitive Flexible Procedure. Stage 1 comprises a Conditions of Participation / Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ). Suppliers meeting the requirements of the PSQ will be invited to participate in Stage 2, the Invitation to Tender (ITT).
- How the procedure runs: Arts University Bournemouth is conducting this procurement using the Competitive Flexible Procedure under the Procurement Act 2023. The procurement will be undertaken in two stages. Stage 1 will comprise a Conditions of Participation / Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ) to assess supplier suitability, capability, financial standing, experience and compliance with mandatory requirements. Suppliers meeting the requirements of Stage 1 will be shortlisted. Stage 2 will consist of an Invitation to Tender (ITT) issued only to shortlisted suppliers. Tender submissions will be evaluated using the published award criteria and will include supplier presentations (for top four bidders). Arts University Bournemouth reserves the right to refine the process, timetable and procurement requirements in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023 and the principles set out in the tender documentation.
- No preliminary market engagement: A Preliminary Market Engagement Notice was not published as Arts University Bournemouth has sufficient knowledge of the Internal Audit market and service requirements through previous procurement activity, sector benchmarking and existing market awareness. The University considered that formal preliminary market engagement was not necessary for this procurement. The intention of the PSQ stage is to carry out a market engagement and narrow down the potential suppliers for the next stage.
CPV: Accounting and auditing services · Auditing services · Internal audit services
The lotProcurement structure
single lot · value publishedLot #1RenewalPublished value£251,667
- Economic & financial standing
Suppliers must satisfy the Conditions of Participation set out in the Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ). This includes:
Confirmation that no mandatory exclusion grounds apply.
Demonstration of adequate financial standing and financial resilience.
Submission of audited financial statements (or equivalent financial accounts) for the previous three completed financial years.
Annual turnover normally of not less than £500,000 in each of the last three completed financial years, subject to the provisions set out in the PSQ regarding alternative evidence of financial standing.
Confirmation that the organisation is not subject to bankruptcy, administration, winding-up proceedings, insolvency procedures or equivalent proceedings.
Confirmation of the required levels of Professional Indemnity, Public Liability, Employers' Liability and Cyber Liability insurance.
Submission of all required declarations and supporting information.
Arts University Bournemouth reserves the right to request clarification or additional evidence where considered necessary in accordance with the procurement documents.
- Technical & professional ability
Suppliers must demonstrate the technical and professional capability necessary to deliver the required Internal Audit Services. This includes:
Compliance with the Global Internal Audit Standards and the Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors Code of Ethics.
Confirmation of a satisfactory External Quality Assessment (EQA) undertaken within the applicable professional review cycle.
Provision of a suitably qualified and experienced Head of Internal Audit with demonstrable Higher Education sector experience.
Ability to comply with Arts University Bournemouth's independence requirements and disclosure of all actual, potential and perceived conflicts of interest.
Compliance with UK GDPR, the Data Protection Act 2018 and appropriate information security standards.
Provision of a minimum of three references for outsourced Internal Audit Services delivered to UK Higher Education Institutions within the last three years.
Ability to support the Audit & Risk Committee, including attendance at meetings and provision of unrestricted access to the Audit & Risk Committee Chair.
Access to appropriately qualified specialist resources, including cyber security, data analytics, procurement and contract management, capital projects and estates, commercial activities, student experience and safeguarding, and fraud and investigations.
Suppliers must provide all information, declarations and supporting evidence specified within the Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ). Failure to satisfy any mandatory technical or professional requirement may result in exclusion from the procurement process.
- Condition of participationshortlisting
Suppliers will first be assessed against the mandatory Conditions of Participation and Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ) requirements. This assessment will include mandatory exclusion grounds, financial standing, insurance requirements, professional standards, independence requirements, information security arrangements, Higher Education experience and references, Audit & Risk Committee support capability, and specialist resource availability.
Responses will be evaluated on a pass/fail basis. Only suppliers meeting all mandatory requirements and providing the required supporting information and declarations will be eligible for shortlisting.
Where the number of suppliers meeting the mandatory requirements exceeds the number that can reasonably be taken forward, Arts University Bournemouth reserves the right to apply objective and proportionate selection criteria based on relevant Higher Education Internal Audit experience, quality of references, experience of the proposed Head of Internal Audit, and specialist resource capability in order to determine the suppliers invited to tender.
What it takes to wini
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 morei
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).
Published sub-criteria (3)
- technical: 40%
- Presentation: 30%
- Commercial: 30%
Published award criteria (3)
- Commercial: 30%
- technical: 40%
- Presentation: 30%
- Economic & financial standing
Suppliers must satisfy the Conditions of Participation set out in the Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ). This includes:
Confirmation that no mandatory exclusion grounds apply.
Demonstration of adequate financial standing and financial resilience.
Submission of audited financial statements (or equivalent financial accounts) for the previous three completed financial years.
Annual turnover normally of not less than £500,000 in each of the last three completed financial years, subject to the provisions set out in the PSQ regarding alternative evidence of financial standing.
Confirmation that the organisation is not subject to bankruptcy, administration, winding-up proceedings, insolvency procedures or equivalent proceedings.
Confirmation of the required levels of Professional Indemnity, Public Liability, Employers' Liability and Cyber Liability insurance.
Submission of all required declarations and supporting information.
Arts University Bournemouth reserves the right to request clarification or additional evidence where considered necessary in accordance with the procurement documents.
- Technical & professional ability
Suppliers must demonstrate the technical and professional capability necessary to deliver the required Internal Audit Services. This includes:
Compliance with the Global Internal Audit Standards and the Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors Code of Ethics.
Confirmation of a satisfactory External Quality Assessment (EQA) undertaken within the applicable professional review cycle.
Provision of a suitably qualified and experienced Head of Internal Audit with demonstrable Higher Education sector experience.
Ability to comply with Arts University Bournemouth's independence requirements and disclosure of all actual, potential and perceived conflicts of interest.
Compliance with UK GDPR, the Data Protection Act 2018 and appropriate information security standards.
Provision of a minimum of three references for outsourced Internal Audit Services delivered to UK Higher Education Institutions within the last three years.
Ability to support the Audit & Risk Committee, including attendance at meetings and provision of unrestricted access to the Audit & Risk Committee Chair.
Access to appropriately qualified specialist resources, including cyber security, data analytics, procurement and contract management, capital projects and estates, commercial activities, student experience and safeguarding, and fraud and investigations.
Suppliers must provide all information, declarations and supporting evidence specified within the Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ). Failure to satisfy any m…
- Condition of participationshortlisting
Suppliers will first be assessed against the mandatory Conditions of Participation and Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ) requirements. This assessment will include mandatory exclusion grounds, financial standing, insurance requirements, professional standards, independence requirements, information security arrangements, Higher Education experience and references, Audit & Risk Committee support capability, and specialist resource availability.
Responses will be evaluated on a pass/fail basis. Only suppliers meeting all mandatory requirements and providing the required supporting information and declarations will be eligible for shortlisting.
Where the number of suppliers meeting the mandatory requirements exceeds the number that can reasonably be taken forward, Arts University Bournemouth reserves the right to apply objective and proportionate selection criteria based on relevant Higher Education Internal Audit experience, quality of references, experience of the proposed Head of Internal Audit, and specialist resource capability in order to determine the suppliers invited to tender.
- Price carries 30 of 100 points: a 10% discount moves about 3 points. The method statement decides this lot, not the discount.
- Turnover usually expected at this size: about £167,625 (twice the annual value).
Price arithmetic assumes straight proportional scoring; the tender pack may use another formula. Turnover is an indicative market norm (≈2× annual value), not a published condition.
Competition analysis · published record, not a forecast of who will bid
How Arts University Bournemouth buys Accounting and auditing services (CPV 7921), and who usually turns up
Arts University Bournemouth’s published record next to the market for the same work. Frameworks and DPS are left out: they draw different bid counts. Whole-market view: Accounting and auditing services (CPV 7921) →
How the contest usually goes
Winner shares use published awards; bid and price charts use contested lots.
i
How often small and medium firms win.
Share of awards where the winner’s size is known.
The counts under this question show how many awards have a known supplier size.
Small firms have won here. Neither number says whether you qualify; it describes who has been winning.
i
How often local firms win similar work.
Winners with a registered address in the delivery region, out of awards with a known address.
Local means the winner is registered in the region where that award was delivered. The market figure counts awards delivered in South West England.
A local branch does not count if the registered address is elsewhere.
Most of this buyer’s recorded winners were registered in the region where that award was delivered.
i
How long buyers here take to decide after bids close.
Middle value in days from the bid deadline to the award date, on competitions that published both.
Only decided tenders count, so slow ones still waiting are not in.
Half of these awards have an award date within 139 days of the bid deadline.
i
How often work is awarded with no recorded rival.
Direct awards and tenders where every published lot count shows one bid.
The market share is a minimum: some awards have no bid count.
Thin markets produce this too; it is not proof of a tailored specification.
Direct awards or one recorded bid are common here. Check the route before spending time on a bid.
How many bids did past lots attract?
i
How many bids past lots received.
Each colour is a bid-count range. Only competed lots with a published count are included.
Past bids do not predict this tender.
1 bid6%
2–338%
4–650%
7+6%
How did awards compare with estimates?
i
Where winning prices landed against estimates.
Each colour shows awards below, close to or above the published estimate, one lot at a time.
Past prices are a guide, not a bid price.
Below estimate50%
Within ±2%33%
Above estimate17%
Assess each lot i
What past awards tell you about each lot.
See the forecast, this buyer’s earlier suppliers and firms with relevant wins.
No supplier is confirmed as a bidder.
i
What past awards tell you about each lot.
See the forecast, this buyer’s earlier suppliers and firms with relevant wins.
No supplier is confirmed as a bidder.
Open a lot for its forecast, this buyer’s previous supplier and possible competitors, from published award history, not a bid list
Lot #1CPV 7921Published estimate£252k
i
How many bids this lot may attract.
The forecast uses similar past competitions. The bar shows either that forecast or past bid counts; the line below says which.
Each lot shows its own forecast based on its own category; forecasts for different lots of the same notice are not comparative.
A forecast, not a list of bidders.
1 bid8%
2–338%
4–648%
7+6%
i
Where the award price may land.
The forecast uses similar awards and the buyer’s estimate. The band covers the middle half of likely prices.
Based on 12 comparable awards. Each lot reflects its own category; forecasts for different lots of the same notice are not comparative.
A statistical guide from past awards, not a price to bid.
Middle 50%£236k–£252k
Estimate£252k
Who has supplied this buyer on similar work? i
Who has done similar work for this buyer.
Past contracts are matched by buyer, title and type of work.
A past supplier may not bid again.
i
Who has done similar work for this buyer.
Past contracts are matched by buyer, title and type of work.
A past supplier may not bid again.
No earlier contract of this buyer matches this lot on the published record.
Who could compete for this lot? i
Who could compete for this lot?
Firms with relevant past wins. On a framework, we show firms on that agreement.
None is confirmed as a bidder.
i
Who could compete for this lot?
Firms with relevant past wins. On a framework, we show firms on that agreement.
None is confirmed as a bidder.
| Supplier | Won in this category | Live contracts | Award vs estimate |
|---|---|---|---|
KPMGLarge | £570m147 awards in 36m · last 1 months ago | 39 live · £100m iPublic contracts this supplier still holds. Its awards whose published end date is still in the future, with their values. Many contracts publish no end date, so this is a floor, not the whole book. Unexpired says nothing about spare capacity. | at estimate n=23 |
DeloitteLarge | £277m110 awards in 36m · last 1 months ago | 24 live · £237m iPublic contracts this supplier still holds. Its awards whose published end date is still in the future, with their values. Many contracts publish no end date, so this is a floor, not the whole book. Unexpired says nothing about spare capacity. | 3% below n=14 |
| £13m31 awards in 36m · last this month | 11 live · £4.7m iPublic contracts this supplier still holds. Its awards whose published end date is still in the future, with their values. Many contracts publish no end date, so this is a floor, not the whole book. Unexpired says nothing about spare capacity. | at estimate n=9 | |
BDO LLPLarge | £19m49 awards in 36m · last 1 months ago | 14 live · £5.9m iPublic contracts this supplier still holds. Its awards whose published end date is still in the future, with their values. Many contracts publish no end date, so this is a floor, not the whole book. Unexpired says nothing about spare capacity. | at estimate n=13 |
Mazars LLPLarge | £9.4m38 awards in 36m · last this month | 14 live · £10m iPublic contracts this supplier still holds. Its awards whose published end date is still in the future, with their values. Many contracts publish no end date, so this is a floor, not the whole book. Unexpired says nothing about spare capacity. | 17% below n=3 |
About this data
- Source. Official UK public procurement notices (Find a Tender), reused under the Open Government Licence v3.0. New notices arrive through the day; the figures are rebuilt nightly.
- Two views, kept apart. The authority’s own track record and the wider market for the same kind of work sit side by side and are never mixed. Where the local picture is too thin, a figure widens to a broader market and says which one it used.
- Forecasts are labelled. The price forecast and its range, possible competitors and the earlier-work matches are our estimates from past awards: not published facts, not win chances and not price advice. Official notices do not say who is bidding.
- Every figure shows what it rests on. Not every notice publishes a bid count, a value or a delivery region, so each figure carries the number of records behind it, and one built on few records is marked as such. The on a figure explains it; the counting rules are in the methodology. Spotted something wrong? Tell us.
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
- Requests to participate open
- Procurement threshold
- Above threshold (FTS publication)
- Regulatory regime
- Standard
- Commercial structure
- Stand-alone contract (no framework)
- Competition type
- Competitive procedure
- GPA / WTO covered
- Unspecified in notice
- Recurring procurement
- Unspecified in notice
- First published
- 8 Oct 2026, 12:57 BST
- Last source update
- 8 Oct 2026, 12:57 BST
- Award evaluation window
- Submission end – 25 Mar 2027
- Authority reference
AUB- IAT- 2026- FTS notice number
2026/S 000-095182- Latest notice
- Tender notice (UK4)
- Classification (CPV)
- Delivery area
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-0783b5Find a Tender- Contract terms summary
The contract will be awarded for an initial period of three years commencing on 1 August 2027, with the option to extend for up to two additional periods of twelve months each, subject to satisfactory performance and continued business need.
The successful supplier will be required to provide outsourced Internal Audit Services in accordance with the requirements set out in the procurement documents, applicable legislation, the Global Internal Audit Standards and relevant Higher Education sector requirements.
Key contractual requirements include:
Provision of a suitably qualified and experienced Head of Internal Audit.
Maintenance of independence and management of conflicts of interest throughout the contract term.
Compliance with UK GDPR, the Data Protection Act 2018 and all applicable information security requirements.
Maintenance of the required levels of insurance throughout the contract term.
Attendance at Audit & Risk Committee meetings and provision of the annual Head of Internal Audit Opinion.
Access to specialist audit resources where required.
Contract performance will be monitored throughout the duration of the agreement. Failure to meet contractual requirements, performance standards or statutory obligations may result in corrective action, suspension of services, termination of the contract and/or other remedies available under the contract terms.
Payment terms will be governed by AUB Invoicing Terms and Conditions.
- How it runs
Arts University Bournemouth is conducting this procurement using the Competitive Flexible Procedure under the Procurement Act 2023.
The procurement will be undertaken in two stages.
Stage 1 will comprise a Conditions of Participation / Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ) to assess supplier suitability, capability, financial standing, experience and compliance with mandatory requirements. Suppliers meeting the requirements of Stage 1 will be shortlisted.
Stage 2 will consist of an Invitation to Tender (ITT) issued only to shortlisted suppliers. Tender submissions will be evaluated using the published award criteria and will include supplier presentations (for top four bidders).
Arts University Bournemouth reserves the right to refine the process, timetable and procurement requirements in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023 and the principles set out in the tender documentation.
- Risks
Risks to contract performance may include, but are not limited to:
Failure to maintain the independence and objectivity required of the Internal Audit function.
Loss or unavailability of key personnel, including the nominated Head of Internal Audit.
Failure to provide suitably qualified specialist resources when required.
Failure to meet agreed service levels, reporting requirements or Audit & Risk Committee attendance obligations.
Failure to maintain compliance with applicable legislation, professional standards and regulatory requirements.
Information security incidents, data protection breaches or unauthorised disclosure of confidential information.
Financial instability of the supplier affecting service continuity.
Inadequate audit planning, delivery or follow-up resulting in ineffective assurance coverage.
The successful supplier will be expected to identify, manage and mitigate such risks throughout the contract term and maintain appropriate business continuity, quality assurance and governance arrangements to ensure uninterrupted service delivery.
How to participate & submission route
Official notice Submit via mytenders- Requests to participate (first stage)
- 4 Nov 2026, 12:00 GMT
- Tender submission deadline
- 4 Nov 2026, 12:00 GMT
- Clarification deadline
- 21 Oct 2026, 12:00 BST
- Submission channel
- Official e-sourcing portal
- Electronic submission
- Allowed
- Accepted languages
- en
Responses to the Conditions of Participation / Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ) must be submitted electronically through the MyTenders e-tendering portal.
Suppliers should not submit responses by email or post unless expressly instructed by Arts University Bournemouth.
All clarification questions must be submitted through the messaging facility within the MyTenders portal no later than 21 October 2026.
The deadline for submission of PSQ responses is 12:00 noon (UK local time) on 4 November 2026. Late submissions may not be accepted.
Suppliers are responsible for ensuring that their submission is successfully uploaded and submitted before the deadline.
Following completion of the PSQ stage, shortlisted suppliers will be invited to participate in Stage 2 (Invitation to Tender) through the University's e-tendering system.
Timeline
8 Oct 2026 → 1 Aug 2027 · 5 dates- Tender notice published18 days ago8 Oct 2026, 12:57 BST
- Clarification questions by6 days ago21 Oct 2026, 12:00 BST
- Today26 Oct 2026
- Submission deadlinein 9 days4 Nov 2026, 12:00 GMT
- Award decision expected byin 150 days25 Mar 2027, 23:59 GMT
- Contract startsin 278 days1 Aug 2027, 00:00 BST
Notice history
1 event · 1 release on Find a Tender- Tender notice published8 Oct 2026, 12:57 BSTUK4
Commercial outcome & contract awards
Nothing awarded yet- Awards (0)
- No award published
- Contracts (0)
- No contract published
- Bid statistics
- No aggregate bid statistics published
Contracting authority & participating public bodies
Official documents & specifications (5)
Official links; attachments are not copiedTender pack and attachments
- Bidding documents and specifications Conflict of Interest Form
- Bidding documents and specifications PROCUREMENT SPECIFIC QUESTIONNAIRE (PSQ)
- Bidding documents and specifications AUB Supplier Declaration Form
- Technical specifications The technical specification and Conditions of Participation are contained within the Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ) and associated tender documents. The successful supplier will be required to provide a fully outsourced Internal Audit Service to Arts University Bournemo…
Notices published for this procedure
- Tender notice Tender notice on Find a Tender