The BBC has whittled the list of companies bidding to run part of its HR services down to three.
The latest stage of the procurement process, which formally began in July, has seen Accenture, Capita and Xchanging making the final shortlist.
The areas which the BBC is looking for a supplier or suppliers to undertake are recruitment, remuneration, development, HR administration services, relocation, occupational health services, and disability access services.
The preference is to award one contract for all of the services, however the BBC will award more than one contract where it is deemed commercially advantageous to do so, or where this is necessary to achieve the required service standards.
Stephen Dando, director of BBC People, said: “We have been impressed by the quality of the bids and all three bidders deserve to have reached the shortlist stage.
“We look forward to working with them more closely over the next few months and, as our timetable to complete the process is on track, we envisage announcing the winning bidder early in the New Year.”
Final negotiations are expected to take place at the end of this year and the contract with the successful supplier is due to become operational from spring 2006.
BBC staff and unions are being kept fully informed during the process, Dando said.
