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Techfirst womens Programme

Department for Science, Innovation & Technology

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

06 Oct 2026 at 17:11

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Award

01 Sep 2026 at 10:42

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Tender

29 May 2026 at 17:03

UK4 - Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Department for Science, Innovation & Technology commissioned a programme to help women move into paid roles in frontier technology occupations. The work includes designing and delivering an outcome-focused programme, with recruitment, training, job placement or deployment, employer engagement and post-placement support as applicable. The target is to support up to 300 women, with a participant mix of 20% at entry level and 80% mid-career. The programme also targets strong participation by small and medium-sized employers, where labour-market conditions allow. The service is delivered across the United Kingdom.

The procurement is complete and has been awarded through an open procedure. Plexal (City) Limited was selected, and its contract was signed on 25 September 2026. The award was made on 28 August 2026 for £3,037,720 excluding VAT (£3,645,264 including VAT). The contract period runs from 25 September 2026 to 31 March 2027, with potential extensions, subject to funding, internal approval, continuing need and satisfactory performance, through to 31 March 2029. The original planned contract period began on 1 August 2026 and was due to end on 31 March 2029. There was one lot. Bids were assessed on technical capability, weighted at 80%, and commercial factors, weighted at 20%. Thirteen bids reached the final stage.

For suppliers considering comparable future work for the Department, this award indicates demand for a provider able to design and run a women’s employment programme focused specifically on frontier technology roles. Credible delivery requires the capacity to support a substantial participant cohort and to combine recruitment, training, employer engagement, placement or deployment and follow-up support into an outcome-focused service. Suppliers should be able to work across the UK and address both entry-level and mid-career pathways, while engaging small and medium-sized employers where labour-market conditions permit. The evaluation placed four-fifths of the weight on technical capability and one-fifth on commercial factors, so evidence of relevant delivery expertise and a convincing implementation approach would matter more than price alone. The programme’s stated outcome is paid employment, making effective employer links and placement delivery central capabilities.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Techfirst womens Programme

Notice Description

Scope In scope is the design and delivery of an outcome focused programme that supports women into paid roles in frontier technology occupations, including (where applicable): recruitment, training, placement or deployment activity, employer engagement, and post placement support. * Supporting up to 300 women into paid roles. * Targeting a 20% entry level / 80% mid career participant mix. * Achieving a strong level of SME participation (targeting 80%) where labour market conditions allow.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06a95d
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/094457-2026
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

80 - Education and training services

CPV Codes

72500000 - Computer-related services

80521000 - Training programme services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£9,999,999 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£9,999,999 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
£3,037,720 £1M-£10M
Contracts Value
£3,037,720 £1M-£10M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
6 Oct 2026Today
Submission Deadline
24 Jun 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
28 Aug 20261 months ago
Contract Period
25 Sep 2026 - 31 Mar 2027 6-12 months
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

Plexal (City) Limited

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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