GM Citizens' Panel RFI

Contracts Finder - Open Opportunities

Published March 25th, 2026

Detected March 25th, 2026

Summary

The University of Manchester is issuing a Request for Information (RFI) to gauge interest from potential suppliers for a three-year contract to manage its GM Citizens' Panel. The RFI seeks information on organizations capable of running citizen panels, managing logistics, and conducting surveys, with responses due by April 27, 2026.

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What changed

The University of Manchester, acting as a non-contracting authority, has issued a Request for Information (RFI) to identify potential suppliers for managing its GM Citizens' Panel. This RFI is an early engagement process to understand market interest and capabilities for a three-year contract. The scope includes running two panels annually (in-person and online), managing member logistics, and conducting surveys to monitor the impact of the GM Civic University Agreement. The University is also seeking models for additional pay panel meetings and commissioned research input.

Interested parties should note that this RFI is not a formal request for bids and any pricing requested is for informational purposes only. The deadline for submitting responses is April 27, 2026. Information and procurement documents will be available via the University's procurement portal, In-Tend. The University aims to deliver value for money by adhering to good procurement practices, despite no longer being subject to the Public Contracts Regulations 2015.

What to do next

Review RFI details on the University's procurement portal (In-Tend).
Submit interest and any requested pricing information by the closing date of April 27, 2026.

Source document (simplified)

Published date: 25 March 2026

Open early engagement - This means that a procurement idea is currently active, it is in the early stage of development and judging interest from potential suppliers.

Watch this notice Print this notice Closing date: 27 April 2026

Contract summary

Industry

Research and development services and related consultancy services - 73000000
General management consultancy services - 79411000

Location of contract

m139pl

Procurement reference

2026/3459/GMCP/MB/MW

Published date

25 March 2026

Closing date

27 April 2026

Contract is suitable for SMEs?

Yes

Contract is suitable for VCSEs?

Yes

Description

The GM Civic University Board, managed by the University of Manchester, is seeking to re-procure its Citizens' Panel. The panel has been in operation for three years. The University is initially seeking to understand which organisations exist that would be interested in submitting a proposal for a three-year contract to run:
• Two Citizens' Panels per year - one in person and one online
• Manage all logistics and communication with the Citizens' Panel members, working in partnership with the GM Civic University Board
• Undertake a virtual survey at the start and end of the three-year contract to monitor the impact of the GM Civic University Agreement
• A model for additional pay panel meetings GM Civic University Board sessions or as an option for GM Civic University Board members to commission to provide civic input to research or strategic projects.

The University of Manchester no longer meets the criteria of a 'body governed by public law' and is therefore not considered a contracting authority for the purposes of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and/or any replacement legislation. As a result, the University of Manchester will no longer be subject to the regime contained in The Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and/or any replacement legislation with effect from 1 August 2023. However, as an institution founded for the public good, an exempt charity and an organization in receipt of public funds, the University has a duty to manage expenditure in an appropriate manner and aims to deliver value for money across its non-pay spend by adhering to good procurement practice

More information

Additional text

Information, formalities and necessary requirements to be met will be set out in the procurement documents, all of which are freely available via the University's procurement portal In-Tend - https://in-tendhost.co.uk/manchesteruniversity
(https://in-tendhost.co.uk/manchesteruniversity)

Please note - This process is not a formal request for bids. The RFI may ask for prices/costs but this is for information purposes only at this stage. The publication of this RFI does not commit the University to any procurement.