Award

Made Smarter

THE WEST OF ENGLAND COMBINED AUTHORITY

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

26 Mar 2026 at 16:08

Tender

11 Feb 2026 at 18:43

Summary of the contracting process

The West of England Combined Authority invites businesses to deliver the Made Smarter programme for the South West from 2026 to 2027, aiming to enhance small and medium-sized enterprises' adoption of industrial digital technologies. The programme spans both urban and rural locations within the region. The procurement process, currently in the award stage, follows an open procedure and is set under the legal framework UKPGA 2023/54. Interested parties should note the standstill period ending on 8 April 2026, with the contract starting on 15 April 2026, potentially extending to 2029. This tender falls under the services category, targeting training services (CPV 80500000) with a gross budget of approximately £3.5 million. The supplier NCC, based in Bristol, has been announced as the main contractor, with subcontracting opportunities available to companies like Oxford Innovation Advice Ltd and the University of the West of England.

The Made Smarter programme provides excellent growth opportunities for businesses able to deliver digital training and support services. SMEs with expertise in technology adoption, rural connectivity, and tailored location-specific solutions have the chance to significantly impact the South West region's diverse economic landscape. With a focus on industrial digital technologies, businesses specialising in training services and innovation will find this contract particularly appealing. The programme encourages collaboration, allowing organisations to contribute through diagnoses, 1:1 Digital Acceleration Sessions, and leadership training courses. This is a chance for companies to not only expand their market but also to develop strategic partnerships with sub-central government entities and other prominent stakeholders in the region.

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Notice Title

Made Smarter

Notice Description

The MCA is looking to appoint a delivery partner to deliver the Made Smarter South West Programme 2026/27. The MS programme is designed to support SMEs across the South West in adopting Industrial Digital Technologies through a package of intensive support measures. The South West is a large and diverse region, encompassing both densely populated urban centres and widely dispersed rural areas, and bidders must demonstrate how they will tailor delivery to meet the needs of businesses in different locations and contexts. This should include how they will address challenges relating to accessibility, connectivity and engagement in rural communities, how they will support the MCA with recruitment of organisations across the full geography, and how they will structure and deliver all programme elements, including the format and duration of 1:1 Digital Acceleration Sessions and the design of training courses, in a way that minimises unnece

Lot Information

Lot 1

Options: 1 (+1+1)

Renewal: The contract will have the following term: 1 year + 1 + 1

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-064e6e
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/028122-2026
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
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

80 - Education and training services


CPV Codes

80500000 - Training services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£2,947,023 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£2,947,023 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
£2,947,023 £1M-£10M
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
26 Mar 20264 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
10 Mar 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
26 Mar 20264 weeks ago
Contract Period
14 Apr 2026 - 14 Apr 2027 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
THE WEST OF ENGLAND COMBINED AUTHORITY
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
BRISTOL
Postcode
BS1 6AL
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)
TLK51 Bristol, City of
Delivery Location
TLK1 Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Bristol/Bath area, TLK11 Bristol, City of

Local Authority
Bristol, City of
Electoral Ward
Central
Westminster Constituency
Bristol Central

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

NCC

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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