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Find a TenderAwardedContract details notice
Published 11 Sept 2025, 11:01 BST

Official UK procurement notice

ID 5827132 - DFE: InterTradeIreland: All Island Women's Entrepreneurship

Official notice

Authority: InterTradeIreland (Central government)·On behalf of: CPD

5 lotsServicesOpen procedureAbove thresholdSME suitable
Sectors: Research & Development (R&D) (73)Business Services & Consultancy (79) Delivery: Northern Ireland (UKN)
Published estimate£2,927,240envelope for 5 lots · £3,512,688 inc. VAT
Submissions closed 21 Jul 2025awarded 11 Sept 2025
Awarded to Women in Business NI +2 more4 awards
Contract term 3 yrs 4 moends 31 Dec 2028 · starts 31 Aug 2025

What is being bought5 lots · detail below

Published requirement description

InterTradeIreland is the Trade and Business Development Implementation Body, one of six cross-border bodies established under the 1998 Belfast Agreement.

InterTradeIreland's mission is to identify and help realise opportunities to improve competitiveness, generate economic growth, and create sustainable, quality jobs in both jurisdictions, through increased levels of North/South trade and co-operation on innovation and business development opportunities.

InterTradeIreland, under the Shared Island Enterprise Scheme, aim to appoint up to four Suppliers to design, manage and deliver four programmes to promote Women's Entrepreneurship.

This tender has been divided into four separate lots and Suppliers may bid for as many lots as they want. Each lot will be evaluated independently of each other.

  • No preliminary market engagement: InterTradeIreland has conducted a two-pronged Pre-Market Engagement approach consisting of Pilot programmes and a Feasibility Study. However these were all undertaken by the Department prior to the commencement the Procurement Act 2023, which came into force on February 24, 2025. Further details can be found within the document entitled 'ID 5827132 - Instructions to Tender'.

CPV: Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security · Design and execution of research and development · Research and development services and related consultancy services

Lots and requirements (5)Procurement structure

5 lots · 4 with a published value (£2,927,240 together) · same conditions of participation on every lot · same evaluation weights on every lot
Lot #1Lot ID 5827132AwardedLot estimate not published

The source published no individual description for this lot.

Lot #2ID 5827132 LOT 1 – Women Innovating in Research Education Programme (W.I.R.ED) 3 yrs 4 moSMEPublished value£905,000

The W.I.R.ED initiative falls under the Women’s Entrepreneurship priority and aims to support the commercialisation of research conducted by female university researchers. It will provide a structured package of support to Principal Investigators (PI) and Researchers at Masters, PhD, and Postdoctoral levels, enabling them to undertake market validation activities and advance towards commercial viability.

It is anticipated that the programme will run to 31 December 2028 with a total budget of £905,000 (excluding VAT). The delivery model is designed to ensure a clear pathway from ideation to commercialisation funding, leveraging existing support structures from InterTradeIreland, Enterprise Ireland, Invest Northern Ireland, and academic institutions and research organisations across the island.

Contract period: 31 Aug 2025 – 31 Dec 2028 (3 yrs 4 mo)Value: £905,000 exc. VAT · £1,086,000 inc. VAT
Eligibility: SME eligible
73000000 Research and development services and related consultancy services73300000 Design and execution of research and development79000000 Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security
Pre-qualification & selection criteria (PQQ)2
  • Economic & financial standing

    Not Applicable

  • Technical & professional ability

    As detailed in the Tender Documents

Lot #3Shared Growth ProgrammeAwarded 3 yrs 4 moSMEPublished value£800,470

Shared Growth is an all-island initiative designed to support women-led businesses in achieving sustainable growth and with ambition to trade cross-border. Delivered by InterTradeIreland (ITI) under the Shared Island Enterprise Scheme, this programme will provide structured training, mentorship, and strategic support to help women entrepreneurs grow their businesses, increase their market presence, and enhance their leadership capabilities.

It is anticipated that this programme will run to 31 December 2028 with a total maximum budget of the sterling equivalent of £800,470 (excluding VAT). The delivery model will ensure tailored support for businesses, providing structured learning, peer networking, and expert mentorship. These programmes will also leverage existing support structures from InterTradeIreland, Enterprise Ireland, Invest Northern Ireland, and other key stakeholders to maximise impact and sustainability.

Contract period: 31 Aug 2025 – 31 Dec 2028 (3 yrs 4 mo)Value: £800,470 exc. VAT · £960,564 inc. VAT
Eligibility: SME eligible
73000000 Research and development services and related consultancy services73300000 Design and execution of research and development79000000 Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security
Pre-qualification & selection criteria (PQQ)2
  • Economic & financial standing

    Not Applicable

  • Technical & professional ability

    As detailed in the Tender Documents

Lot #4Scale Together ProgrammeAwarded 3 yrs 4 moSMEPublished value£421,300

Scale Together is an all-island initiative designed to support women-led businesses in achieving sustainable growth and international expansion. Delivered by InterTradeIreland (ITI) under the Shared Island Enterprise Scheme, this programme will provide structured training, mentorship, and strategic support to help women entrepreneurs grow their businesses, increase their market presence, and enhance their leadership capabilities.

It is anticipated that this programme will run for to 31 December 2028 with a total maximum budget of the sterling equivalent of £421,300 (excluding VAT). The delivery model will ensure tailored support for businesses, providing structured learning, peer networking, and expert mentorship. These programmes will also leverage existing support structures from InterTradeIreland, Enterprise Ireland, Invest Northern Ireland, and other key stakeholders to maximise impact and sustainability.

Contract period: 31 Aug 2025 – 31 Dec 2028 (3 yrs 4 mo)Value: £421,300 exc. VAT · £505,560 inc. VAT
Eligibility: SME eligible
73000000 Research and development services and related consultancy services73300000 Design and execution of research and development79000000 Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security
Pre-qualification & selection criteria (PQQ)2
  • Economic & financial standing

    Not Applicable

  • Technical & professional ability

    As detailed in the Tender Documents

Lot #5Future Focused Tech ProgrammeAwarded 3 yrs 4 moSMEPublished value£800,470

The Future Focused Tech Programme is an all-island initiative designed

to equip women entrepreneurs with the mentorship, digital skills, confidence, networks, and funding access needed to lead and innovate in tech-enabled businesses.

It is anticipated that this programme will run to 31 December 2028 with a total maximum budget of the sterling equivalent of £800,470 (excluding VAT) The delivery model will ensure tailored support for businesses, providing structured learning, peer networking, and expert mentorship. These programmes will also leverage existing support structures from InterTradeIreland, Enterprise Ireland, Invest Northern Ireland, and other key stakeholders to maximise impact and sustainability.

Contract period: 31 Aug 2025 – 31 Dec 2028 (3 yrs 4 mo)Value: £800,470 exc. VAT · £960,564 inc. VAT
Eligibility: SME eligible
73000000 Research and development services and related consultancy services73300000 Design and execution of research and development79000000 Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security
Pre-qualification & selection criteria (PQQ)2
  • Economic & financial standing

    Not Applicable

  • Technical & professional ability

    As detailed in the Tender Documents

What it takes to win
i

How this buyer will score bids.

The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).

Evaluation split and conditions of participation as published; the tender pack may add more
How bids were scored · same split on all 4 lots
Quality: 80%Price: 20%
Published sub-criteria (2)
  • Qualitive Criteria: 80%
  • Quantitative Criteria: 20%
Lot distribution rule: Each Lot will be evaluated and awarded independently. There are no restrictions on the number of Lots a Supplier can bid for or be awarded, Suppliers may bid for one, or more Lots as they wish but must have the capacity to deliver on all Lots tendered for. One Supplier will be awarded per lot based on the Most Advantageous Tender (MAT).
Conditions of participation · identical on every lot2
  • Economic & financial standing

    Not Applicable

  • Technical & professional ability

    As detailed in the Tender Documents

What this means for your bid
  • Price carries 20 of 100 points: a 10% discount moves about 2 points. The method statement decides this lot, not the discount.

Price arithmetic assumes straight proportional scoring; the tender pack may use another formula.

Procedure terms & legal framework

From the official record
Procedure method
Open procedure
Legal basis
UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023
Procurement category
Services
Notice status
Awarded
Procurement threshold
Above threshold (FTS publication)
Regulatory regime
Standard
Commercial structure
Stand-alone contract (no framework)
Competition type
Competitive procedure
GPA / WTO covered
Yes (GPA)
Recurring procurement
Unspecified in notice
First published
11 Sept 2025, 11:01 BST
Last source update
2 Oct 2025, 11:56 BST
Award evaluation window
Submission end – 11 Aug 2025
Authority reference
ID 5827132
FTS notice number
2025/S 000-033507
Latest notice
Contract details notice (UK7)
Classification (CPV)
Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and securityDesign and execution of research and developmentResearch and development services and related consultancy services
Delivery area
Northern Ireland (UKN)
Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-054f75 Find a Tender
Contract terms summary

As detailed in the Tender Documents

Review and risk notes
Risks

As detailed in the Tender Documents

How it was run

Official notice
Run through: eTendersNI · Who buys & how to bid on eTendersNI
Supplier login requiredElectronic submission allowedLanguage: EN
Access & registration note: Free Northern Ireland registration
Submission deadline
21 Jul 2025, 15:00 BST
Clarification deadline
11 Jul 2025, 15:00 BST
Submission channel
Official e-sourcing portal
Electronic submission
Allowed
Accepted languages
en
Detailed submission instructions & authority contactsFrom official release

etendersni.gov.uk/epps ↗

Timeline

18 Jun 2025 → 2 Oct 2025 · 8 dates
  1. Tender notice published
    18 Jun 2025, 19:13 BST
  2. Clarification questions by
    11 Jul 2025, 15:00 BST
  3. Submission deadline
    21 Jul 2025, 15:00 BST
  4. Award decision expected by
    11 Aug 2025, 23:59 BST
  5. Contract starts
    31 Aug 2025, 00:00 BST
  6. Assessment summaries sent400 days ago
    11 Sept 2025, 00:00 BST
  7. Standstill ends388 days ago
    22 Sept 2025, 23:59 BST
  8. Latest notice published379 days ago
    2 Oct 2025, 11:56 BST

Notice history

4 events · 2 releases on Find a Tender · since 18 Jun 2025
  1. Tender notice published
    18 Jun 2025, 19:13 BST
    UK4
  2. Contract award notice published
    11 Sept 2025, 11:01 BST
    UK6
  3. Contract signature expected
    24 Sept 2025, 23:59 BST
    scheduled
  4. Contract details notice published
    2 Oct 2025, 11:56 BST
    UK7

Commercial outcome & contract awards

Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast
Awards 4
Awarded value £2,022,2403 awards exc. VAT
Bids received 98 from SMEs
Contracts signed 3latest 25 Sept 2025
Awarded toValueDateStatus
Lot 1 · Lot ID 58271321 award
supplier not published—11 Sept 2025Awarded
Lot 3 · Shared Growth Programme1 award
Women in Business NIVCSE +1 morejoint awardID 5827132 - DFE: InterTradeIreland: All Island Women's Entrepreneurship - LOT 2 - Shared Growth Programme29 Sept 2025 – 31 Dec 2028£800,47011 Sept 2025Awarded
Lot 4 · Scale Together Programme1 award
AWAKENHUB LTDSME +1 morejoint awardID 5827132 - DFE: InterTradeIreland: All Island Women's Entrepreneurship - LOT 3 - Scale Together Programme29 Sept 2025 – 31 Dec 2028£421,30011 Sept 2025Awarded
Lot 5 · Future Focused Tech Programme1 award
TechFoundHer LTDSMEID 5827132 - DFE: InterTradeIreland: All Island Women's Entrepreneurship - LOT 4 - Future Focused Tech Programme29 Sept 2025 – 31 Dec 2028£800,47011 Sept 2025Awarded

Contracts

  • ID 5827132 - DFE: InterTradeIreland: All Island Women's Entrepreneurship - LOT 2 - Shared Growth Programme · Women in Business NIVCSE +1 more

    Signed
    25 Sept 2025
    Value
    £793,320
    Period
    26 Sept 2025 – 25 Sept 2028
    Status
    active

    No agreed KPIs: The value of this contract is below the relevant threshold of £5 million including VAT and as such the reporting and publication of KPIs is not mandated.

  • ID 5827132 - DFE: InterTradeIreland: All Island Women's Entrepreneurship - LOT 3 - Scale Together Programme · AWAKENHUB LTDSME +1 more

    Signed
    25 Sept 2025
    Value
    £399,600
    Period
    26 Sept 2025 – 25 Sept 2028
    Status
    active

    No agreed KPIs: The value of this contract is below the relevant threshold of £5 million including VAT and as such the reporting and publication of KPIs is not mandated.

  • ID 5827132 - DFE: InterTradeIreland: All Island Women's Entrepreneurship - LOT 4 - Future Focused Tech Programme · TechFoundHer LTDSME

    Signed
    25 Sept 2025
    Value
    £785,000
    Period
    26 Sept 2025 – 25 Sept 2028
    Status
    active

    No agreed KPIs: The value of this contract is below the relevant threshold of £5 million including VAT and as such the reporting and publication of KPIs is not mandated.

Bid statistics published by the authority

LotBidsSMEVCSEValid bid range
3 · Shared Growth Programme4final-stage tenders · 5 at stage one42—
4 · Scale Together Programme4final-stage tenders32—
5 · Future Focused Tech Programme1final-stage tenders · 2 at stage one10—

Contracting authority & participating public bodies

3 public bodies on the notice

InterTradeIreland

Contracting authorityPublic authority - sub-central governmentNorthern Irish devolved regulations apply GB-PPON: PZBY-5224-MBBM Kilmorey Street, Newry, Northern Ireland, BT34 2DEContact email

Other public bodies

  • CPDBeneficiary authority
  • CPD - Supplies and Services DivisionProcess contact pointProcuring entityConstruction and Procurement Delivery - Supplies and Services Division, is a Centre of Procurement Expertise and provides a central procurement function for central government in Northern Ireland.GB-PPON: PVWG-8426-YWXV Belfast, Northern IrelandContact email

Bidders & participating suppliers

5 commercial parties on the notice
  • AWAKENHUB LTDAwarded supplierGB-COH: NI671127GB-PPON: PTCN-8171-QCZT Hollywell Trust, 12-14 Bishop Street, Londonderry, Northern Ireland, BT48 6PWContact email
  • AWAKENHUB LTDAwarded supplierGB-PPON: PTCN-8171-QCZT 12-14 Bishop Street, Londonderry, Northern Ireland, BT48 6PWContact email
  • TechFoundHer LTDAwarded supplierGB-PPON: PLJX-2283-LYDP Fex, Argus House, Fumbally Exchange, Malpas Street, Dublin 8, Ireland D08 Y273, Dublin, IE, D08 Y273, IEContact email
  • WOMEN IN BUSINESS NI LTDAwarded supplierGB-COH: NI054763GB-PPON: PHQR-4676-GLQP Arthur House, Belfast, Northern Ireland, BT1 4GBContact email
  • Women in Business NIAwarded supplierGB-PPON: PHQR-4676-GLQP Arthur House, 41 Arthur Street, Belfast, Northern Ireland, BT1 4GBContact email

Official documents & specifications (8)

Official links; attachments are not copied

Notices published for this procedure

  • Contract details notice contractContract details noticeUK7Contract details notice on Find a Tender
  • Contract details notice contractContract details noticeUK7Contract details notice on Find a Tender
  • Contract details notice contractContract details noticeUK7Contract details notice on Find a Tender
  • Contract award notice awardContract award noticeUK6Contract award notice on Find a Tender
  • Contract award notice awardContract award noticeUK6Contract award notice on Find a Tender
  • Contract award notice awardContract award noticeUK6Contract award notice on Find a Tender
  • Contract award notice awardContract award noticeUK6Contract award notice on Find a Tender
  • Tender notice tenderTender noticeUK4Tender notice on Find a Tender