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Yorkshire & Humber - Digital and Technology Skills Programme

Department for Science, Innovation & Technology

This public procurement record has 5 releases in its history.

Award

07 Sep 2026 at 16:28

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Award

05 Aug 2026 at 14:53

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
TenderUpdate

10 Jun 2026 at 17:37

UK4 - Tender Notice
TenderUpdate

10 Jun 2026 at 15:13

UK4 - Tender Notice
Tender

26 May 2026 at 13:30

UK4 - Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Department for Science, Innovation & Technology commissioned a regional delivery partner for the TechFirst youth programme in Yorkshire and Humber. The work involves delivering digital skills-building activities and career inspiration days for schools and colleges, helping young people develop digital skills, build confidence with artificial intelligence and understand technology careers. The programme is intended to strengthen the technology talent pipeline and encourage progression into academic and vocational digital and computing qualifications. Delivery partners work with local industry and academia and support wider participation, particularly among girls and young people from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds. The procurement covers computer-related professional services and information technology services, with activity delivered through the regional programme for schools and colleges.

The procurement is complete and was run by open procedure. It had one lot, with seven final-stage bids, including five from SMEs and four from voluntary, community or social enterprises. Bids were evaluated on technical capability at 80% and price at 20%. RTC North was awarded the contract on 4 August 2026 for £1,272,885.58 excluding VAT (£1,527,462.70 including VAT). The contract was signed on 7 September 2026 and runs from 10 September 2026 to 31 March 2029. The award period was due to end on 17 July 2026, and the tender submission deadline was 25 June 2026. Two extensions are possible: 12 months followed by six months, subject to performance, continued need and funding.

This procurement shows demand for organisations able to deliver structured digital skills and careers activity directly through schools and colleges in Yorkshire and Humber. A credible competitor would need practical experience of engaging young people, building confidence with artificial intelligence and presenting technology career pathways in accessible ways. The successful delivery model depends on working effectively with schools, colleges, local technology employers and academic institutions, rather than providing classroom content in isolation. Experience of widening participation would be particularly relevant, including reaching girls and learners from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds. Suppliers should also be able to coordinate regional delivery at scale and demonstrate strong technical capability, since quality carried four times the weight of price in evaluation.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Yorkshire & Humber - 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 Yorkshire and Humber. 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-06a38e
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/084585-2026
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
£1,272,885 £1M-£10M
Contracts Value
£1,272,885 £1M-£10M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
7 Sep 20264 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
25 Jun 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
4 Aug 20262 months ago
Contract Period
10 Sep 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 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
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

RTC North Ltd

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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