Greater Manchester Contractor Recruitment Services Framework (GMCRSF)

Reference:  DN762147

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.

 

Total value (estimated)

• £60,000,000 excluding VAT
• £72,000,000 including VAT

 

Contract dates (estimated):

• Award decision date:  2nd November 2026
• Contract dates:  1 December 2026 to 30 November 2030

 

Contract location:  UKD3 – Greater Manchester

 

Lot 1. Project Delivery

Description:  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.

Lot value (estimated)

• £16,800,000 excluding VAT
• £20,160,000 including VAT
• Framework lot values may be shared with other lots

 

Lot 2. Digital, Data & Technology

Description:  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.

Lot value (estimated)

• £34,800,000 excluding VAT
• £41,760,000 including VAT
• Framework lot values may be shared with other lots

 

Lot 3. Transport Specific Skills

Description:  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.

Lot value (estimated)

• £6,000,000 excluding VAT
• £7,200,000 including VAT
• Framework lot values may be shared with other lots

 

Lot 4. Commercial & Finance

Description:  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.

Lot value (estimated)

• £1,200,000 excluding VAT
• £1,440,000 including VAT
• Framework lot values may be shared with other lots

 

Lot 5. Transport Strategy

Description:  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').

Lot value (estimated)

• £1,800,000 excluding VAT
• £2,160,000 including VAT
• Framework lot values may be shared with other lots

 

Maximum number of suppliers:  15

Maximum percentage fee charged to suppliers:  1%

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

 

Contracting authorities that may use the framework:

• 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)

 

Enquiry deadline:  30 January 2026, 5:00pm

Deadline for requests to participate:  13 February 2026, 12:00pm

 

Evaluation – 70% quality and 30% price

Procedure type:  Competitive flexible procedure

 

Associated tender documents:  https://procontract.due-north.com/Register

TfGM 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-sourcing portal, we recommend that they do so as soon as possible.

 

Contracting Authority

Transport for Greater Manchester

2 Piccadilly Place

Manchester

M1 3BG

Contact name: Ioana Maier

Email: procurement@tfgm.com