Award

The Purpose Lab

THE UNIVERSITY OF KENT

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

12 May 2026 at 11:16

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Award

12 May 2026 at 08:50

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The University of Kent has awarded a contract titled "The Purpose Lab" under the procurement process to Crowne Associates Ltd to facilitate a 36-month employability programme. The tender, categorised under the services industry with a focus on training services, is based in the United Kingdom, specifically in the region of UKJ4. This contract involves a direct procurement method below threshold, without competition, and was awarded on 11th May 2026. The contract period is scheduled to start on 1st June 2026 and end on 31st May 2029. The value of the contract is set at £34,800 GBP. The procurement stage has been completed, and the contract is in the status of active award.

This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses engaged in training services, particularly those looking to collaborate with academic institutions to deliver employability programmes. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) specialising in skills development, networking opportunities, and student engagement would find this contract beneficial for business growth. Involvement in such a programme allows businesses to establish their reputation in the educational sector and create long-term partnerships with universities like the University of Kent, which can lead to further similar opportunities in the future.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

The Purpose Lab

Notice Description

The commissioning of Crown Associates to support a 36-month employability programme designed to help Kent prepare our students for the world of work. The Purpose Lab is a national employability programme connecting students with employers and will provide students the opportunity to engage with employers and organisations to provide skills training and networking opportunities.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-069663
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/043388-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Below threshold - without competition
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

80 - Education and training services

CPV Codes

80500000 - Training services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£34,800 Under £100K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
12 May 20262 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
10 May 20263 days ago
Contract Period
31 May 2026 - 31 May 2029 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
THE UNIVERSITY OF KENT
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
CANTERBURY
Postcode
CT2 7NZ
Post Town
Canterbury
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ4 Kent
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ44 East Kent
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Canterbury
Electoral Ward
Blean Forest
Westminster Constituency
Canterbury

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

CROWNE ASSOCIATES

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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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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