Tender

Prj_6326- South East digital and technology skills programme

DEPARTMENT FOR SCIENCE, INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

02 Jan 2026 at 13:44

UK4 - Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Department for Science, Innovation & Technology is inviting tenders for its South East digital and technology skills programme titled "TechFirst." This initiative focuses on the youth strand "TechYouth," aiming to overcome barriers in the digital and STEM sectors by engaging students across schools and colleges in the UK. The procurement stage is currently set at Tender, with a closing date for submissions by 19th February 2026. Located in the United Kingdom, specifically the South East region, the programme is designed to foster local partnerships with industry and academic bodies. The open procedure procurement approach is adopted, catering to services within the computer-related professional services category.

This tender offers significant growth opportunities for businesses specialising in digital education and outreach, tech career inspiration, and skills development activities. Companies with strong technical capability, network collaborations, or experience in delivering educational programmes are well-positioned to compete. By participating, businesses can help shape the tech talent pipeline, particularly focusing on increasing diversity and inclusion by encouraging students from underrepresented groups to pursue tech careers. Successful bidders will benefit from a potential contract valued at £1,568,000 over a three-year period, starting from 31st March 2026.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Prj_6326- South East 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 South East. 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.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05fec6
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/000053-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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

CPV Codes

72590000 - Computer-related professional services

Notice Value(s)

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

Notice Dates

Publication Date
2 Jan 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
19 Feb 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
30 Mar 2026 - 31 Mar 2029 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
DEPARTMENT FOR SCIENCE, INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
dsit.dttgcbp@dsit.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

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

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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