Award

Prj_6324 - East Midlands digital and technology skills programme

DEPARTMENT FOR SCIENCE, INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

24 Apr 2026 at 09:12

Tender

02 Jan 2026 at 13:30

Summary of the contracting process

The Department for Science, Innovation & Technology (DSIT) has concluded the procurement process for the "East Midlands digital and technology skills programme" as part of their TechFirst initiative. The procurement, which utilised an open procedure, aims to address the digital skills gap to bolster growth in the technology sector. Specifically focusing on the East Midlands location within the United Kingdom's overall digital skills strategy, this completed award, with an initial publication on 2 January 2026, highlights a successful tender for services within the industry category of information technology services. The contract, valued at a gross amount of £1,877,520, spans from 6 May 2026 to 31 March 2029, and involves enhancing STEM education for youths. The awarded supplier, In4 Group, is set to become a regional delivery partner, working closely with academia and local industry, with the standstill period concluding on 6 May 2026.

The tender for the "East Midlands digital and technology skills programme" presents substantial opportunities for businesses in the digital and technology sectors, particularly those focusing on educational services and youth programmes. SMEs like In4 Group, which specialise in technology service provision, can leverage this procurement to expand their footprint in educational partnerships and influence technological curriculum development regionally. Organisations with existing capabilities in STEM and digital education are ideally suited to compete for such contracts, facilitating long-term growth within one of the UK government's growth-driving sectors. With DSIT's clear focus on diversity and inclusion, businesses committed to enhancing opportunities for underrepresented groups can also find rewarding prospects through this programme.

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Notice Title

Prj_6324 - East Midlands digital and technology skills programme

Notice Description

DSIT is seeking a Regional Delivery Partner who will be responsible for ensuring successful on-the-ground delivery of the TechFirst youth programme in the East Midlands. TechFirst is the Government's flagship digital and technology skills programme, created to remove skills as a barrier to growth in the sector. The sector relies on specialist digital and STEM skills, but there is a clear gap between demand and supply. This programme aims to build the sustainability and diversity of the tech talent pipeline, creating the foundations for long-term growth in one of the Government's 8 growth-driving sectors. The youth strand of TechFirst, TechYouth, aims to reach 1 million students in schools and colleges across the UK with opportunities to develop their digital skills, gain confidence with AI and insight into a range of potential tech careers. Regional delivery partners will support the programme at a local level, delivering skills building activities and career inspiration days for schools and colleges in the area. They will work in partnership with local industry and academia to achieve this. With the support of Regional Delivery Partners, the TechYouth programme should spark young people's interest in technology and encourage more to pursue digital and computing qualifications at age 14 and 16, both academic and vocational. It will particularly encourage uptake from currently underrepresented groups, including girls and those from socioeconomic disadvantage. These students will form the pipeline of future technology researchers and professionals needed for the sector to achieve its potential growth.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05fec1
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/037417-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

72 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support


CPV Codes

72222300 - Information technology services

72590000 - Computer-related professional services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£1,568,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£1,568,000 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
£1,564,600 £1M-£10M
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
24 Apr 2026Today
Submission Deadline
19 Feb 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
11 Mar 20261 months ago
Contract Period
5 May 2026 - 31 Mar 2029 2-3 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
DEPARTMENT FOR SCIENCE, INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY
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
SW1A 2EG
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
St James's
Westminster Constituency
Cities of London and Westminster

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

IN4 GROUP

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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