---
title: "Talent programme: Aspire"
ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-e0c3368e-00fa-495b-928a-ad18d894c1e6"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-e0c3368e-00fa-495b-928a-ad18d894c1e6"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-e0c3368e-00fa-495b-928a-ad18d894c1e6.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-e0c3368e-00fa-495b-928a-ad18d894c1e6.json"
source: "Contracts Finder"
current_stage: "Tender"
buyer: "DEFRA"
published: "2025-02-18"
---

# Talent programme: Aspire

Buyer: DEFRA  
Current stage: Tender  
OCID: ocds-b5fd17-e0c3368e-00fa-495b-928a-ad18d894c1e6

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## Summary

The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) is inviting tenders for the "Talent programme: Aspire," a specialist training services contract designed to provide career development for Defra group colleagues from ethnic minority backgrounds. This six-month programme addresses identified barriers and aims to equip participants with the necessary skills and confidence to advance in their careers. The contract, classified under CPV code 80510000, covers locations including the British Overseas Territories, Channel Islands, Europe, Isle of Man, Rest of the World, and the United Kingdom. The procurement is currently in the tender stage, with the tender period ending on 17 March 2025 at 12:00 PM. The contract is set to start on 22 April 2025 and will run until 31 December 2027. This open procedure is below the financial threshold and offers full access to the procurement documents online.

This tender provides significant opportunities for businesses specialising in training and development services, particularly those experienced with diversity and inclusion programmes. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as well as Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprises (VCSEs) are especially encouraged to participate, given the explicit mention of their suitability in the tender documents. Companies with expertise in crafting and delivering training programmes that address specific occupational barriers will find this opportunity well-matched to their capabilities, and successful bidders will be positioned to make a meaningful impact while potentially expanding their business reach and reputation within government contracts.

## Notice

The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at https://defra-family.force.com/s/Welcome Any questions, requests to participate or tender submissions must be submitted electronically via this portal. Talent Programme: - Aspire is a six-month development programme, specifically designed for all Defra group colleagues, grade AA - EO (or equivalent) who identify as from an Ethnic Minority background. The programme is structured around identified blockers and aims to enable equity to those from ethnic minority backgrounds, providing the tools and knowledge, enabling participants to feel confident and skilled, to progress through their careers.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Contracts Finder |
| Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/cfb22908-e6c8-481d-9d13-bf170f07cdc1 |
| Notice type | Tender Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Open |
| Procurement method details | Open procedure (below threshold) |
| Tender suitability | SME, VCSE |
| Awardee scale | Not specified |
| All stages | Tender |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 18 Feb 2025 |
| Submission deadline | 17 Mar 2025 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | Not specified |
| Contract period | 21 Apr 2025 - 31 Dec 2027 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Active |
| Lots status | Not specified |
| Awards status | Not specified |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | DEFRA |
| Locality | LONDON |
| Post town | South West London |
| Postcode | SW1P 3JR |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLI London |
| ITL 2 | TLI3 Inner London - West |
| ITL 3 | TLI35 Westminster and City of London |
| Local authority | Westminster |
| Electoral ward | St James's |
| Westminster constituency | Cities of London and Westminster |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 80 - Education and training services

### Codes

- 80510000 - Specialist training services

## Release History

- 18 Feb 2025 at 17:51 - Tender - Tender Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/cfb22908-e6c8-481d-9d13-bf170f07cdc1

## Documents

- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/cfb22908-e6c8-481d-9d13-bf170f07cdc1
  18th February 2025 - Opportunity notice on Contracts Finder

## Notice URLs

- https://defra-family.force.com/s/Welcome

## Provenance

This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-e0c3368e-00fa-495b-928a-ad18d894c1e6. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-e0c3368e-00fa-495b-928a-ad18d894c1e6.json.