✓Tender information last checkedLast checked 8 Oct 2026, 14:06.
Opportunity overview
Arts 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).
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 Bournemouth, including the provision of a named Head of Internal Audit, development of risk-based audit plans, delivery of assurance reviews, reporting to the Audit & Risk Committee, provision of an annual Head of Internal Audit Opinion, and access to specialist audit resources where required.
The service must be delivered in accordance with the Global Internal Audit Standards, Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors requirements, applicable legislation, and the requirements set out within the procurement documentation.
All procurement documents are available through the MyTenders e-tendering portal.Open source ↗
Published notice details
Additional information from the published procurement release. Fields appear only when supplied by the source; check the original notice and tender documents before acting.
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.
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.
Submission terms
Electronic Submission Policy
allowed
Languages
en
Enquiry period
Ends
21 Oct 2026, 12:00
Expected award period
Ends
25 Mar 2027, 23:59
Contract terms
Financial Terms
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.
Lots and requirements
Entry 1
Id
1
Status
active
Has Renewal
Yes
Value
Including VAT
302,000
Amount
251,666.67
Currency
GBP
Award criteria
Weighting Description
This PSQ shall be evaluated on a Pass / Fail basis only. No numerical scoring will be applied. The criterions for commercial, technical and presentation will apply only at the ITT stage.
Criteria
Criterion 1
Type
price
Name
Commercial
Description
30%
Criterion 2
Type
quality
Name
technical
Description
40%
Criterion 3
Type
quality
Name
Presentation
Description
30%
Selection criteria
Criteria
Criterion 1
Type
economic
Description
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.
Criterion 2
Type
technical
Description
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.
Criterion 3
Description
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.
For Reduction
Yes
Suitability
Sme
Yes
Vcse
Yes
Contract period
Starts
1 Aug 2027, 00:00
Ends
31 Jul 2030, 23:59
Max Extent Date
31 Jul 2032, 23:59
Renewal
Description
The contract will be awarded for an initial term of three (3) years commencing on 1 August 2027. Arts University Bournemouth reserves the right to extend the contract by up to two (2) additional periods of twelve (12) months each, subject to satisfactory supplier performance, continued business need and the University's sole discretion. The maximum potential contract term is therefore five (5) years ending on 31 July 2032.
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 Bournemouth, including the provision of a named Head of Internal Audit, development of risk-based audit plans, delivery of assurance reviews, reporting to the Audit & Risk Committee, provision of an annual Head of Internal Audit Opinion, and access to specialist audit resources where required.
The service must be delivered in accordance with the Global Internal Audit Standards, Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors requirements, applicable legislation, and the requirements set out within the procurement documentation.
All procurement documents are available through the MyTenders e-tendering portal.
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.
1 published notice version reviewed by ProcuraAxis.
1 VERSION
1
095182-2026Tender notice on Find a Tender ·
PROCURAAXIS ANALYSIS
ProcuraAxis Analysis
Our approved analysis of the opportunity appears below the official tender information.
ANALYSIS PREVIEW
Opportunity intelligence at a glance
Arts University Bournemouth is running a two-stage competitive flexible procedure to appoint an independent provider for a fully outsourced internal audit service. The supplier will provide a named Head of Internal Audit, risk-based audit planning and reviews, assurance reporting, annual opinion, action follow-up, investigations/advice and coordination with external audit.
Who this may suit
Suitable for established independent internal-audit providers able to meet Global Internal Audit Standards and Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors requirements, and support a higher-education governing board and audit committee.
Key points identified
Independent internal audit providerSupplier must be suitably qualified and independent to deliver a fully outsourced Internal Audit Service.Evidence: “appoint a suitably qualified and independent provider to deliver a fully outsourced Internal Audit Service.”
Audit standards complianceService must be delivered in accordance with the Global Internal Audit Standards, Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors requirements, applicable legislation and procurement documentation.Evidence: “The service must be delivered in accordance with the Global Internal Audit Standards, Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors requirements, applicable legislation...”
Named Head of Internal AuditProvide a named Head of Internal Audit.Evidence: “Provision of a named Head of Internal Audit.”
95% approved-analysis confidence6 supplier criteria identified2 risks or unknowns
ProcuraAxis structures information found in published procurement records, checks the result for consistency and publishes only approved analysis. Confidence describes the completeness and consistency of the available source information; it is not a guarantee of eligibility or contract award.
Arts University Bournemouth is running a two-stage competitive flexible procedure to appoint an independent provider for a fully outsourced internal audit service. The supplier will provide a named Head of Internal Audit, risk-based audit planning and reviews, assurance reporting, annual opinion, action follow-up, investigations/advice and coordination with external audit.
Who this may suit
Suitable for established independent internal-audit providers able to meet Global Internal Audit Standards and Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors requirements, and support a higher-education governing board and audit committee.
Key deliverables
Named Head of Internal Audit
Risk-based Internal Audit Strategy and Annual Audit Plan
Risk-based internal audit reviews
Reporting to the Audit & Risk Committee and Board of Governors
Management-action follow-up and monitoring
Annual Head of Internal Audit Opinion
Independent special investigations and advisory assignments
Coordination with external audit and other assurance providers
SUPPLIER REQUIREMENTS
6 criteria identified
Independent internal audit provider
98% confidence
Supplier must be suitably qualified and independent to deliver a fully outsourced Internal Audit Service.
View supporting evidence
“appoint a suitably qualified and independent provider to deliver a fully outsourced Internal Audit Service.”
Audit standards compliance
98% confidence
Service must be delivered in accordance with the Global Internal Audit Standards, Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors requirements, applicable legislation and procurement documentation.
View supporting evidence
“The service must be delivered in accordance with the Global Internal Audit Standards, Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors requirements, applicable legislation...”
Named Head of Internal Audit
99% confidence
Provide a named Head of Internal Audit.
View supporting evidence
“Provision of a named Head of Internal Audit.”
Specialist audit resources
95% confidence
Provide access to specialist audit resources where required.
View supporting evidence
“access to specialist audit resources where required.”
Stage 1 participation
99% confidence
Suppliers must meet the requirements of the Conditions of Participation / Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ) to be invited to Stage 2.
View supporting evidence
“Suppliers meeting the requirements of the PSQ will be invited to participate in Stage 2.”
Detailed eligibility criteria
97% confidence
Contained in the PSQ and associated tender documents; not supplied in the opportunity data.
View supporting evidence
“The technical specification and Conditions of Participation are contained within the Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ) and associated tender documents.”
COMMERCIAL AND DELIVERY
Contract intelligence
Commercial
Estimated contract value
96% confidence
Up to GBP 251,666.67.
View supporting evidence
Lot 1 value_amount: 251666.67 GBP.
Initial term
98% confidence
Three years.
View supporting evidence
“expected to commence on 1 August 2027 for an initial term of three years”
Extension options
98% confidence
Up to two additional periods of 12 months each.
View supporting evidence
“option to extend for up to two additional periods of twelve months.”
Delivery
Expected commencement
98% confidence
1 August 2027.
View supporting evidence
“The contract is expected to commence on 1 August 2027”
Provide assurance and reporting to the Board of Governors and Audit & Risk Committee.
View supporting evidence
“provide independent assurance to the Board of Governors and Audit & Risk Committee”; “Reporting to the Audit & Risk Committee and Board of Governors”
PROCEDURE
How to respond
Procedure
99% confidence
Two-stage Competitive Flexible Procedure.
View supporting evidence
“This procurement is being conducted using a two-stage Competitive Flexible Procedure.”
Stage 1
99% confidence
Conditions of Participation / Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ).
View supporting evidence
“Stage 1 comprises a Conditions of Participation / Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ).”
Stage 2
99% confidence
Invitation to Tender, for suppliers meeting PSQ requirements.
View supporting evidence
“Suppliers meeting the requirements of the PSQ will be invited to participate in Stage 2, the Invitation to Tender (ITT).”
Submission deadline
99% confidence
21 October 2026, 12:00 (UTC+01:00).
View supporting evidence
submission_deadline: 2026-10-21T12:00:00+01:00.
Tender status
98% confidence
Open.
View supporting evidence
display_status: open; source_status: active.
RISKS AND UNKNOWNS
Points requiring attention
Detailed selection and tender requirements
98% confidence
Detailed Conditions of Participation and technical requirements are held in the PSQ and associated documents and are not reproduced in the supplied notice data.
View supporting evidence
“The technical specification and Conditions of Participation are contained within the Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ) and associated tender documents.”
Independence constraints
97% confidence
Special investigations and advisory work can only be undertaken where independence is maintained.
View supporting evidence
“Special investigations and advisory assignments where independence can be maintained.”
ProcuraAxis analysis supplements, but does not replace, the original notice and tender documents. Always verify eligibility, deadlines and commercial terms with the issuing authority.
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