--- title: "Evaluation of the NCEA Programme (2026-2029)" ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-fd0f88da-cd92-4f5b-ba93-3d94be2dcef7" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-fd0f88da-cd92-4f5b-ba93-3d94be2dcef7" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-fd0f88da-cd92-4f5b-ba93-3d94be2dcef7.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-fd0f88da-cd92-4f5b-ba93-3d94be2dcef7.json" source: "Contracts Finder" current_stage: "Award" buyer: "DEFRA" published: "2026-08-14" --- # Evaluation of the NCEA Programme (2026-2029) Buyer: DEFRA Current stage: Award OCID: ocds-b5fd17-fd0f88da-cd92-4f5b-ba93-3d94be2dcef7 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-fd0f88da-cd92-4f5b-ba93-3d94be2dcef7) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-fd0f88da-cd92-4f5b-ba93-3d94be2dcef7.json) ## Summary DEFRA commissioned an evaluation of the National Citizen Service? Wait NCEA programme for 2026–2029. The work is research and evaluation services, involving an objective and methodologically rigorous assessment of the programme. The supplier must maintain comparability with the methods and findings from the first and second evaluation phases, while updating the evaluation framework and reviewing the evaluation questions. The review must reflect the programme’s current life-cycle stage and the updated 2026/27–2028/29 business case. DEFRA is the buying organisation, with its Environment Agency commercial function based in London. Delivery covers the United Kingdom and may also extend to the British Overseas Territories, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, Europe and the rest of the world. This procurement has been completed and awarded. DEFRA used a selective procedure as a call-off from a dynamic purchasing system. Ipsos was awarded the contract on 23 July 2026 for £761,391 including the stated currency, with a contract period from 23 July 2026 to 30 June 2029. The tender submission deadline was 14 June 2026 at 23:45. The requirement was evaluated around the delivery of an objective, methodologically rigorous assessment, continuity with methods and findings from earlier evaluation phases, and an updated framework and set of evaluation questions aligned with the current programme life-cycle and business case. The contract is recorded as active following the award. This requirement is relevant to established research and evaluation providers with strong programme-evaluation capability. A credible competitor would need to design and deliver objective, methodologically rigorous research, preserve comparability across successive evaluation phases, and explain how methods and findings remain consistent over time. It would also need to update an existing evaluation framework rather than start from an entirely new basis, review evaluation questions as the programme develops, and connect the analysis to a current business case. Experience of evaluating complex public programmes, managing longitudinal evidence, and translating findings into clear assessments would be important. The procurement was not identified as suitable for SMEs or voluntary, community and social enterprises, indicating a requirement positioned for suppliers with substantial relevant capability and resources. ## Notice The evaluation will deliver an objective and methodologically rigorous assessment of the NCEA programme. It is vital that the supplier ensure comparability with findings and methods from previous evaluation phases (Phases 1 and 2), while updating the framework and reviewing evaluation questions, to reflect the current stage in the programme's life-cycle and the updated 2026/27-2028/29 NCEA business case. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Contracts Finder | | Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/e5f4720e-074c-4204-9a69-1e1dbffeb8ce | | Notice type | Award Notice | | Procurement type | Dynamic | | Procurement category | Services | | Procurement method | Selective | | Procurement method details | Call-off from a dynamic purchasing system | | Tender suitability | Not specified | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Award | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 14 Aug 2026 | | Submission deadline | 14 Jun 2026 | | Future notice date | Not specified | | Award date | 23 Jul 2026 | | Contract period | 23 Jul 2026 - 30 Jun 2029 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £761,391 | | Lots value | Not specified | | Awards value | £761,391 | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Complete | | Lots status | Not specified | | Awards status | Active | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | DEFRA | | Locality | LONDON | | Postcode area | South West London | | Postcode | SW1P 3HX | | 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 | ## Supplier | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Number of suppliers | 1 | | Supplier names | Ipsos | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services ### Codes - 73110000 - Research services ## Release History - 14 Aug 2026 at 17:53 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/e5f4720e-074c-4204-9a69-1e1dbffeb8ce ## Documents - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/e5f4720e-074c-4204-9a69-1e1dbffeb8ce 14th August 2026 - Awarded contract notice on Contracts Finder ## 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-fd0f88da-cd92-4f5b-ba93-3d94be2dcef7. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-fd0f88da-cd92-4f5b-ba93-3d94be2dcef7.json.