Award

Complexity Thinking Training

NATIONAL AUDIT OFFICE

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

08 May 2026 at 12:26

Summary of the contracting process

The National Audit Office (NAO) has concluded the award stage of a procurement process for the provision of introductory training on complexity thinking, known as Cynefin training, in the category of Specialist Training Services (CPV 80510000). The contract was awarded to Cognitive Edge Ltd, with a start date of 27th April 2026 and an end date of 26th April 2027, valued at £15,000 including VAT. Located in England, this tender was executed using a sole source procurement method. Essential dates include the contract period of one year post-award, following the tender period which concluded on 2nd March 2026. The NAO, headquartered on Buckingham Palace Road, London, engaged in a completed procurement with key involvement from its central procurement team.

This tender offers a significant opportunity for businesses specialising in complexity management training to grow by delivering services in collaboration with a prestigious institution like the NAO. Businesses with strengths in educational and training services, particularly those proficient in systems thinking and complexity management, are well-suited to compete in similar procurement opportunities in the future. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) could particularly benefit, as the procurement process indicated suitability for SMEs, despite not being aimed at voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSEs). This contract sets a benchmark for potential suppliers looking to engage with public sector opportunities that require specialist knowledge and training capabilities.

Find more tenders on our Open Data Platform.
How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

Complexity Thinking Training

Notice Description

The National Audit Office (NAO) has awarded a contract to Cognitive Edge Ltd for the provision of introductory training on complexity thinking and approaches to managing complex systems (Cynefin training). The contract commenced on Monday 27th April 2026 for one year and will expire on 26th April 2027. The total contract value is PS15,000 inclusive of VAT.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-2af54444-9341-4caa-aae8-15a0b1a9cb96
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/23746bff-addd-45fe-90c5-6951bab41e3a
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Other - Sole source
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

80 - Education and training services


CPV Codes

80510000 - Specialist training services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£12,500 Under £100K
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£15,000 Under £100K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
8 May 20266 days ago
Submission Deadline
2 Mar 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
19 Apr 20263 weeks ago
Contract Period
26 Apr 2026 - 26 Apr 2027 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Not Specified
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
NATIONAL AUDIT OFFICE
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
LONDON
Postcode
SW1W 9SP
Post Town
South West London
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI3 Inner London - West
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI35 Westminster and City of London
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Westminster
Electoral Ward
Pimlico North
Westminster Constituency
Cities of London and Westminster

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

COGNITIVE EDGE

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

Download

The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts.

{
    "tag": [
        "compiled"
    ],
    "id": "ocds-b5fd17-2af54444-9341-4caa-aae8-15a0b1a9cb96-2026-05-08T13:26:36+01:00",
    "date": "2026-05-08T13:26:36+01:00",
    "ocid": "ocds-b5fd17-2af54444-9341-4caa-aae8-15a0b1a9cb96",
    "language": "en",
    "initiationType": "tender",
    "tender": {
        "id": "Complexity Thinking Training",
        "title": "Complexity Thinking Training",
        "description": "The National Audit Office (NAO) has awarded a contract to Cognitive Edge Ltd for the provision of introductory training on complexity thinking and approaches to managing complex systems (Cynefin training). The contract commenced on Monday 27th April 2026 for one year and will expire on 26th April 2027. The total contract value is PS15,000 inclusive of VAT.",
        "status": "complete",
        "classification": {
            "scheme": "CPV",
            "id": "80510000",
            "description": "Specialist training services"
        },
        "items": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "deliveryAddresses": [
                    {
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    }
                ]
            }
        ],
        "value": {
            "amount": 12500,
            "currency": "GBP"
        },
        "procurementMethodDetails": "Other - Sole source",
        "tenderPeriod": {
            "endDate": "2026-03-02T12:00:00Z"
        },
        "contractPeriod": {
            "startDate": "2026-04-27T00:00:00+01:00",
            "endDate": "2027-04-26T23:59:59+01:00"
        },
        "suitability": {
            "sme": true,
            "vcse": false
        },
        "mainProcurementCategory": "services"
    },
    "parties": [
        {
            "id": "GB-SRS-sid4gov.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/sBN45ywB",
            "name": "National Audit Office",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "National Audit Office",
                "scheme": "GB-SRS",
                "id": "sid4gov.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/sBN45ywB"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "151-197 Buckingham Palace Road",
                "locality": "LONDON",
                "postalCode": "SW1W9SP",
                "countryName": "England"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "name": "Central Procurement Team",
                "email": "nao.procurement@nao.org.uk",
                "telephone": "44 20 7798 7000"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer"
            ]
        },
        {
            "id": "GB-CFS-334465",
            "name": "Cognitive Edge Ltd",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "Cognitive Edge Ltd"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Plas Eirias Business Centre Abergele Road Colwyn Bay LL29 8BF"
            },
            "details": {
                "scale": "sme",
                "vcse": false
            },
            "roles": [
                "supplier"
            ]
        }
    ],
    "buyer": {
        "id": "GB-SRS-sid4gov.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/sBN45ywB",
        "name": "National Audit Office"
    },
    "awards": [
        {
            "id": "ocds-b5fd17-2af54444-9341-4caa-aae8-15a0b1a9cb96-1",
            "status": "active",
            "date": "2026-04-20T00:00:00+01:00",
            "datePublished": "2026-05-08T13:26:35+01:00",
            "value": {
                "amount": 15000,
                "currency": "GBP"
            },
            "suppliers": [
                {
                    "id": "GB-CFS-334465",
                    "name": "Cognitive Edge Ltd"
                }
            ],
            "contractPeriod": {
                "startDate": "2026-04-27T00:00:00+01:00",
                "endDate": "2027-04-26T23:59:59+01:00"
            },
            "documents": [
                {
                    "id": "1",
                    "documentType": "awardNotice",
                    "description": "Awarded contract notice on Contracts Finder",
                    "url": "https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/23746bff-addd-45fe-90c5-6951bab41e3a",
                    "datePublished": "2026-05-08T13:26:35+01:00",
                    "format": "text/html",
                    "language": "en"
                }
            ]
        }
    ]
}