Award

Nuclear Sponsorships Scheme

MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

02 Sep 2025 at 10:51

Award

29 Jul 2025 at 07:56

Award

28 Jul 2025 at 11:24

Summary of the contracting process

The Ministry of Defence, headquartered in Bristol, has successfully completed the procurement process for the 'Nuclear Sponsorship Scheme.' This scheme, aimed at enhancing skilled professionals within the nuclear sector, is classified under the higher education services industry. The direct award was made to Cogent Skills Services Ltd, a small to medium-sized enterprise based in Warrington. The procurement process was executed through a direct award method, with the contracts signed on 18th August 2025, and will conclude on 31st March 2028. The initiative aligns with the legal framework of the UK Public General Act 2023/54, providing significant education and training services within the UK.

This procurement creates substantial opportunities for businesses engaged in education and training services, particularly those specialising in STEM disciplines. Companies capable of contributing to enhancing social mobility through skill development and education support would find this project highly suitable. SMEs in the education sector stand to benefit significantly, especially those positioned to provide comprehensive training services that fulfil the critical workforce requirements of the nuclear sector. The strategic partnership with the Ministry of Defence could open further opportunities within government contracts, fostering long-term business growth.

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Notice Title

Nuclear Sponsorships Scheme

Notice Description

The Nuclear Sponsorship Scheme is designed to address the pressing need for skilled professionals within the nuclear sector, encompassing both civil and defence applications. Recognising the significant demand for degree-educated individuals in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) disciplines, and the current under-representation among those from lower socio-economic backgrounds, this initiative aims to foster social mobility while fulfilling critical workforce requirements. This is through offering comprehensive support, including full funding for tuition fees, summer placements, additional bursaries, and support for job placement upon degree completion. Due to Cohort 1 already being on contract, and in Year 1 of their scheme, it is imperative to ensure continuity of funding and provision for Year 2 and Year 3 of Cohort 1's scheme. Due to the academic timetable, Marketing and Attraction has already been contracted, via a TAF on a previous contract, for getting students onto Cohort 2. As such, remaining with Cogent Skills Services Ltd is the only solution for the Cohort 1 and 2 students to use this scheme. The Cohort 3 contract will be competitively procured.

Procurement Information

Due to Cohort 1 already being on contract, and in Year 1 of their scheme, it is imperative to ensure continuity of funding and provision for Year 2 and Year 3 of Cohort 1's scheme. Due to the academic timetable, Marketing and Attraction has already been contracted, via a TAF on a previous contract, for getting students onto Cohort 2. As such, remaining with Cogent Skills Services Ltd is the only solution for the Cohort 1 and 2 students to use this scheme. The Cohort 3 contract will be competitively procured.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0566fc
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/053095-2025
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Direct award
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

80 - Education and training services


CPV Codes

80000000 - Education and training services

80300000 - Higher education services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£3,113,000 £1M-£10M
Contracts Value
£3,113,000 £1M-£10M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
2 Sep 20255 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
28 Jul 20256 months ago
Contract Period
17 Aug 2025 - 31 Mar 2028 2-3 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
dne-supplychain@mod.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
BRISTOL
Postcode
BS34 8JH
Post Town
Bristol
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK5 West of England
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK52 Bath & North East Somerset and South Gloucestershire
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
South Gloucestershire
Electoral Ward
Stoke Park & Cheswick
Westminster Constituency
Filton and Bradley Stoke

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

COGENT SKILLS SERVICES

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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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.

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