Mediation Services for the UK National Contact Point

The Department for International Trade ("DIT") has a requirement for Mediation Services. The UK through its membership of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has made a commitment to have a functioning National Contact Point (NCP) to promote the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises (the Guidelines) for responsible business conduct and handle complaints against businesses in relation to the Guidelines. The UK NCP is committed to providing professional mediation services as part of its complaints handling procedure.

The person or organisation providing the mediation service must be accredited by any relevant bodies. A knowledge of the OECD Guidelines, International Labour Organisation (ILO) standards and UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights would be an advantage. By offering this service, the UK Government will continue to meet its obligation to provide a complaints process under the OECD Guidelines.

The Secretary of State for DIT is the contracting authority responsible for meeting this anticipated requirement. DIT will potentially conduct a Market Engagement session on the 9th March 2020. DIT intends to publish the Contract Notice on the 11th March 2020.

It is anticipated the contract shall be for an initial period of 2 years, with contract options to extend. The requirement has an estimated total value of £60k to £100k inc-VAT per year and this value includes any available contract option(s).