Award

Ask AI about this notice

Summarise, research or assess it with AI

View Markdown

Share this notice

Send this contract to a colleague

North West- Digital and Technology Skills Programme

Department for Energy Security & Net Zero

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

25 Aug 2026 at 14:01

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Award

03 Aug 2026 at 19:53

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Tender

22 May 2026 at 16:00

UK4 - Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Department for Energy Security & Net Zero procured regional delivery partner services for the North West Digital and Technology Skills Programme. The work supports TechFirst, the Government’s digital and technology skills programme, and its TechYouth strand. The provider is responsible for on-the-ground delivery of skills-building activities and career inspiration days for schools and colleges, helping young people develop digital skills, build confidence with artificial intelligence and learn about technology careers. Delivery involves working with local industry and academia, encouraging progression into academic and vocational digital and computing qualifications at ages 14 and 16. The programme particularly targets girls and young people from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds. The service category is computer-related professional services, including information technology services, delivered in the North West.

This procurement has been awarded following an open procedure. One lot was evaluated on technical quality at 80% and price at 20%; four bids reached the final stage, all from SMEs. IN4 Group Limited was awarded the contract on 27 July 2026 for £1,374,800 excluding VAT (£1,649,760 including VAT). The award period runs from 17 August 2026 to 31 March 2029, while the signed contract runs from 31 August 2026 to 31 March 2029. The contract was signed on 25 August 2026. The original tender deadline was 23 June 2026, the enquiry deadline was 1 June 2026, and the award decision was due by 31 July 2026.

This award demonstrates demand for a supplier able to deliver a substantial regional youth technology programme through practical engagement with schools and colleges. A credible future competitor would need experience designing and running digital skills activities and careers events for young people, with the operational capacity to coordinate delivery across the North West. The requirement also favours organisations able to build effective partnerships with local technology employers, education providers and academic institutions, and to translate industry needs into accessible learning and career inspiration. Strong evidence of inclusive outreach would be important, particularly work engaging girls and young people from disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds. Suppliers should also be able to manage a public-sector programme, coordinate multiple stakeholders and demonstrate credible technical delivery capability in information technology services.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

North West- 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 North West. 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. "The Arrangement is signed for the Secretary of State for the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology, as the new office of Secretary of State for [Business, Innovation, Science and Trade / Digital, Culture, Media and Sport] has yet to be constituted as a corporation sole. The rights and liabilities of the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, including those under this Arrangement, will in due course be transferred to the Secretary of State for [Business, Innovation, Science and Trade / Digital, Culture, Media and Sport] by an Order in Council (secondary legislation) under section 2 of the Ministers of the Crown Act 1975."

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06a203
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/080869-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details 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
£1,375,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£1,375,000 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
£1,374,800 £1M-£10M
Contracts Value
£1,374,800 £1M-£10M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
25 Aug 20263 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
23 Jun 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
27 Jul 20261 months ago
Contract Period
31 Aug 2026 - 31 Mar 2029 2-3 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Department for Energy Security & Net Zero
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 2HP
Postcode Area
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

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

JSON Markdown

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.

Loading OCDS record...