Assessors for King's Awards 2026-2029

A Prior Information Notice
by DEPARTMENT FOR BUSINESS & TRADE

Source
Find a Tender
Type
Contract (Services)
Duration
3 year
Value
£1M
Sector
BUSINESS
Published
27 Feb 2026
Delivery
22 May 2026 to 21 May 2029
Deadline
14 Apr 2026 22:59

Related Terms

Location

United Kingdom:

Geochart for 1 buyers and 0 suppliers

Description

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) intends to launch a procurement for the provision of Assessors for the King’s Awards for Enterprise. This planned procurement notice signals DBT’s upcoming requirement and informs suppliers of the intention to publish a tender. The procurement will seek to appoint suitably qualified suppliers capable of delivering high quality, independent assessment services in support of the King’s Awards for Enterprise programme. The Secretary of State for DBT is the contracting authority responsible for meeting this anticipated requirement. DBT intends to publish the tender by 12th March 2026. The full specification details shall be provided with the contract tender documents, but it is expected to incorporate the following: The procurement of contractor(s) to provide external technical assessment services for the five King's Awards categories listed below. Subject to commercial strategy approval, tenderers will have the opportunity to bid for one or more lots. DBT aim to appoint one successful supplier per Lot. 1. Lot 1; Innovation: Recognising companies that have demonstrated commercial success through: - invention, design, production (in respect of goods) - performance (in respect of services, including advice) - marketing, distribution, after sale support of goods or services 2. Lot 2; International Trade: Recognising companies that have demonstrated substantial growth in overseas earnings and in commercial success relative to the business size and sector. 3. Lot 3; Promoting Opportunity through social mobility: – for social mobility programmes that help people from disadvantaged backgrounds into successful working lives. 4. Lot 4; Sustainable Development: Recognising companies that have developed commercially successful products, services, and approaches to management which have major benefits for the environment, society and the economy. 5. Lot 5; To recognise Young Founder (New category) – this was announced in the Government’s Small Business Plan. Businesses can apply if they have a founder aged between 18 and 30. It is anticipated the contract shall be for a period of 3 years, with the option to extend for two additional 12-month terms, on a 1+1 basis. The requirement has an estimated total value of £762,000.00 ex-VAT for all 5 Lots. Background of Kings Award The Kings award for Enterprise (previously knowns as the Queens award) was established in 1965 and is the highest official awards programme in the UK. It is the most prestigious award for UK businesses for outstanding achievement. The whole assessment process, including consideration by the Panels of Judges and the Prime Minister’s Advisory Committee (PMAC), is completed between the closing date for applications and the anniversary of His Majesty Coronation, 6th May.

Lot Division

1 Innovation
  • Value: £410K

Recognising companies that have demonstrated commercial success through:

Award Criteria
Assessor Team Expertise and Category Knowledge Please describe the qualifications and experience of your proposed assessor team, including the Lead Assessor and how this will be applied to the process to ensure high quality assessments in relation to the specific award category Lot(s) you are bidding for.
Technical Assessment Methodology Outline your proposed approach to conducting technical assessments, including how you will ensure consistency, accuracy, and alignment with King’s Awards criteria. The Tenderers response must be within the context of the specific requirements of each lot being tendered and include: A clear methodology for appraising and shortlisting applications using RAG rating and grading. Use of desk research and verification processes. Approach to appraising the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) responses on the applications, where relevant.
Quality Assurance and Moderation Describe your quality assurance processes, including moderation of assessments and reporting mechanisms.
Timeliness and Contract Management Explain how you will manage the assessment timelines and volumes for the relevant Category Lot (outlined in the specification) to ensure timely delivery of outputs across the award cycle.
Data Protection and Conflict of Interest Management Provide details of your approach to confidentiality, data protection, and conflict of interest mitigation
Fair working conditions Please set out, in a method statement and project plan, the specific, measurable and time bound commitment(s) the Bidder will make to deliver the 1B Fair work: that offers fair wages and good working conditions and the Award Criteria set out above.
Fair pay practices Please set out, in a method statement and project plan, the specific, measurable and time bound commitment(s) the Bidder will make to deliver the 1C Fair work: that offers fair wages and good working conditions and the Award Criteria set out above.
Price award _
2 International Trade
  • Value: £305K

Recognising companies that have demonstrated substantial growth in overseas earnings and in commercial success relative to the business size and sector.

Award Criteria
Assessor Team Expertise and Category Knowledge Please describe the qualifications and experience of your proposed assessor team, including the Lead Assessor and how this will be applied to the process to ensure high quality assessments in relation to the specific award category Lot(s) you are bidding for.
Technical Assessment Methodology Outline your proposed approach to conducting technical assessments, including how you will ensure consistency, accuracy, and alignment with King’s Awards criteria. The Tenderers response must be within the context of the specific requirements of each lot being tendered and include: A clear methodology for appraising and shortlisting applications using RAG rating and grading. Use of desk research and verification processes. Approach to appraising the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) responses on the applications, where relevant. A clear methodology for appraising and shortlisting applications using RAG rating and grading. Use of desk research and verification processes. Approach to appraising the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) responses on the applications, where relevant.
Quality Assurance and Moderation Describe your quality assurance processes, including moderation of assessments and reporting mechanisms.
Timeliness and Contract Management Explain how you will manage the assessment timelines and volumes for the relevant Category Lot (outlined in the specification) to ensure timely delivery of outputs across the award cycle.
Data Protection and Conflict of Interest Management Provide details of your approach to confidentiality, data protection, and conflict of interest mitigation
Fair working conditions Please set out, in a method statement and project plan, the specific, measurable and time bound commitment(s) the Bidder will make to deliver the 1B Fair work: that offers fair wages and good working conditions and the Award Criteria set out above.
Fair pay practices Please set out, in a method statement and project plan, the specific, measurable and time bound commitment(s) the Bidder will make to deliver the 1C Fair work: that offers fair wages and good working conditions and the Award Criteria set out above.
Price award _
3 Promoting Opportunity through social mobility
  • Value: £145K

For social mobility programmes that help people from disadvantaged backgrounds into successful working lives.

Award Criteria
Assessor Team Expertise and Category Knowledge Please describe the qualifications and experience of your proposed assessor team, including the Lead Assessor and how this will be applied to the process to ensure high quality assessments in relation to the specific award category Lot(s) you are bidding for.
Technical Assessment Methodology Outline your proposed approach to conducting technical assessments, including how you will ensure consistency, accuracy, and alignment with King’s Awards criteria. The Tenderers response must be within the context of the specific requirements of each lot being tendered and include: A clear methodology for appraising and shortlisting applications using RAG rating and grading. Use of desk research and verification processes. Approach to appraising the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) responses on the applications, where relevant.
Quality Assurance and Moderation Describe your quality assurance processes, including moderation of assessments and reporting mechanisms.
Timeliness and Contract Management Explain how you will manage the assessment timelines and volumes for the relevant Category Lot (outlined in the specification) to ensure timely delivery of outputs across the award cycle.
Data Protection and Conflict of Interest Management Provide details of your approach to confidentiality, data protection, and conflict of interest mitigation
Fair working conditions Please set out, in a method statement and project plan, the specific, measurable and time bound commitment(s) the Bidder will make to deliver the 1B Fair work: that offers fair wages and good working conditions and the Award Criteria set out above.
Fair pay practices Please set out, in a method statement and project plan, the specific, measurable and time bound commitment(s) the Bidder will make to deliver the 1C Fair work: that offers fair wages and good working conditions and the Award Criteria set out above.
Price award _
4 Sustainable Development
  • Value: £300K

Recognising companies that have developed commercially successful products, services, and approaches to management which have major benefits for the environment, society and the economy.

Award Criteria
Assessor Team Expertise and Category Knowledge Please describe the qualifications and experience of your proposed assessor team, including the Lead Assessor and how this will be applied to the process to ensure high quality assessments in relation to the specific award category Lot(s) you are bidding for.
Technical Assessment Methodology Outline your proposed approach to conducting technical assessments, including how you will ensure consistency, accuracy, and alignment with King’s Awards criteria. The Tenderers response must be within the context of the specific requirements of each lot being tendered and include: A clear methodology for appraising and shortlisting applications using RAG rating and grading. Use of desk research and verification processes.
Quality Assurance and Moderation Describe your quality assurance processes, including moderation of assessments and reporting mechanisms.
Timeliness and Contract Management Explain how you will manage the assessment timelines and volumes for the relevant Category Lot (outlined in the specification) to ensure timely delivery of outputs across the award cycle.
Data Protection and Conflict of Interest Management Provide details of your approach to confidentiality, data protection, and conflict of interest mitigation
Fair working conditions Please set out, in a method statement and project plan, the specific, measurable and time bound commitment(s) the Bidder will make to deliver the 1B Fair work: that offers fair wages and good working conditions and the Award Criteria set out above.
Fair pay practices Please set out, in a method statement and project plan, the specific, measurable and time bound commitment(s) the Bidder will make to deliver the 1C Fair work: that offers fair wages and good working conditions and the Award Criteria set out above.
Price award _
5 Young Founder (New category)
  • Value: £110K

This was announced in the Government’s Small Business Plan. Businesses can apply if they have a founder aged between 18 and 30.

Award Criteria
Assessor Team Expertise and Category Knowledge Please describe the qualifications and experience of your proposed assessor team, including the Lead Assessor and how this will be applied to the process to ensure high quality assessments in relation to the specific award category Lot(s) you are bidding for.
Technical Assessment Methodology Outline your proposed approach to conducting technical assessments, including how you will ensure consistency, accuracy, and alignment with King’s Awards criteria. The Tenderers response must be within the context of the specific requirements of each lot being tendered and include: A clear methodology for appraising and shortlisting applications using RAG rating and grading. Use of desk research and verification processes. Approach to appraising the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) responses on the applications, where relevant.
Quality Assurance and Moderation Describe your quality assurance processes, including moderation of assessments and reporting mechanisms.
Timeliness and Contract Management Explain how you will manage the assessment timelines and volumes for the relevant Category Lot (outlined in the specification) to ensure timely delivery of outputs across the award cycle.
Data Protection and Conflict of Interest Management Provide details of your approach to confidentiality, data protection, and conflict of interest mitigation
Fair working conditions Please set out, in a method statement and project plan, the specific, measurable and time bound commitment(s) the Bidder will make to deliver the 1B Fair work: that offers fair wages and good working conditions and the Award Criteria set out above.
Fair pay practices Please set out, in a method statement and project plan, the specific, measurable and time bound commitment(s) the Bidder will make to deliver the 1C Fair work: that offers fair wages and good working conditions and the Award Criteria set out above.
Price award _

Renewal Options

There will be two 12 months optional extensions, totaling a maximum of 24 months.

CPV Codes

  • 79900000 - Miscellaneous business and business-related services

Indicators

  • Renewals are available.

Other Information

** PREVIEW NOTICE, please check Find a Tender for full details. **

Reference

  • ocds-h6vhtk-058082
  • FTS 018172-2026

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