Official UK procurement notice
Integrated Settlement Skills Programme
Authority: North East Combined Authority (Local council)
Sectors: Education & Training (80) Delivery: North East (UKC14)
Framework ceiling (notional)£80,000,000framework ceiling, not attributable revenue
Submissions closed 18 May 2026awarded 2 Sept 2026
Awarded to Aim 2 Learn Ltd +23 more10 awards
Framework period 1 yrends 31 Jul 2027 · up to 31 Jul 2029 with extensions · starts 1 Aug 2026
What is being bought
Published requirement descriptionCommissioning of skills provision from the integrated settlement under 3 strands of delivery
Skills Foundation Strand: Focuses on building essential skills and confidence for individuals facing employment barriers to prepare them for progression.
Skills Activation Strand: Targets technical and sector-specific skills at Levels 2 and 3 to accelerate study, apprenticeships, and skilled employment opportunities.
Skills for Work Strand: Aligns with employer demand to address skill shortages and supports career progression through employer partnerships.
CPV: Adult and other education services · Training services
How this framework works
From the published notice- Bids received
- 38 bids received · 24 suppliers appointed
- Framework period
- 1 yr · up to 3 yrs from 1 Aug 2026
The lotProcurement structure
single lot · value publishedLot #1AwardedRenewalPublished value£80,000,000
What it takes to wini
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 morei
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).
How bids were scored
Published award criteria (1)
- Quality
What this means for your bid
- “Integrated Settlement Skills Programme” is a framework: the contest is a place on its panel, not a single contract.
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
- Light touch regime
- Commercial structure
- Open framework scheme
- Who may use this agreement
- Not stated in the notice; call-off rights may be limited to the establishing authority
- Competition type
- Competitive procedure
- GPA / WTO covered
- Unspecified in notice
- Recurring procurement
- Unspecified in notice
- First published
- 31 Mar 2026, 12:46 BST
- Last source update
- 16 Sept 2026, 15:25 BST
- Award evaluation window
- Submission end – 17 Jul 2026
- Authority reference
OPEN2026585- FTS notice number
2026/S 000-035143- Latest notice
- Contract details notice (UK7)
- Classification (CPV)
- Delivery area
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-067900Find a Tender
How it was run
Official notice- Appointment period ends
- 18 May 2026, 12:00 BST
- Clarification deadline
- 7 May 2026, 17:00 BST
- Electronic submission
- Allowed
- Accepted languages
- en
Detailed submission instructions & authority contactsFrom official release
Timeline
31 Mar 2026 → 16 Sept 2026 · 11 dates- Planning notice published203 days ago31 Mar 2026, 12:46 BST
- Market engagement187 days ago16 Apr 2026, 23:59 BST
- Tender notice published186 days ago17 Apr 2026, 12:18 BST
- Next notice expected186 days ago17 Apr 2026, 23:59 BST
- Clarification questions by166 days ago7 May 2026, 17:00 BST
- Admission / appointment period ends155 days ago · period end, not a bid countdown18 May 2026, 12:00 BST
- Award decision expected by95 days ago17 Jul 2026, 23:59 BST
- Contract starts81 days ago1 Aug 2026, 00:00 BST
- Assessment summaries sent49 days ago2 Sept 2026, 00:00 BST
- Latest notice published34 days ago16 Sept 2026, 15:25 BST
- Standstill ends34 days ago16 Sept 2026, 23:59 BST
Notice history
11 events · 6 releases on Find a Tender · since 31 Mar 2026- Planned procurement notice published31 Mar 2026, 12:46 BSTUK3
- Preliminary market engagement notice published1 Apr 2026, 11:36 BSTUK2
- Tender notice published17 Apr 2026, 12:18 BSTUK4
- Status changed to active17 Apr 2026, 12:18 BST
- Deadline moved to 18 May 2026, 12:00 BST17 Apr 2026, 12:18 BST+0 days · was 18 May 2026, 23:59 BST
- Contract award notice published5 Aug 2026, 17:35 BSTUK6
- Status changed to complete5 Aug 2026, 17:35 BST
- Contract signature expected19 Aug 2026, 23:59 BSTscheduled
- Contract award notice published7 Sept 2026, 13:43 BSTUK6
- Contract details notice published16 Sept 2026, 15:25 BSTUK7
- Contract signature expected17 Sept 2026, 23:59 BSTscheduled
Routine re-releases (6)
- 2026-04: 2 releases · 1 Apr 2026, 17 Apr 2026
- 2026-03: 1 release · 31 Mar 2026
Commercial outcome & contract awards
Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecastSuppliers appointed 2410 awards · see the list ↓
Bids received 3817 from SMEs
Named bidders 93published on the award notice
Contracts signed 10latest 16 Sept 2026
£1,500,000 is the framework's published maximum, restated by the publisher on 3 award rows. It is one ceiling, not 3 separate sums, and no share per lot is published; those rows read “ceiling above”.
| Awarded to | Value | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aim 2 Learn LtdSME, Back 2 Work Complete TrainingSMEAdult Skills Programme - Skills Activation - Level 3 Information & Communication Technology17 Sept 2026 – 31 Jul 2027 · up to 31 Jul 2029Extensions: 2x12 month options to extend | £1,000,000 | 2 Sept 2026 | Awarded |
| Back 2 Work Complete TrainingSME, GATESHEAD COLLEGE, Learning Curve Group Limited, NCG (Trading as Carlisle College), NEW COLLEGE DURHAM, Sportscape TrainingSME +1 moreAdult Skills Programme - Skills for Work - Foundational Economy17 Sept 2026 – 31 Jul 2027 · up to 31 Jul 2029Extensions: 2x12 month options to extend | £5,000,000 | 2 Sept 2026 | Awarded |
| B-Skill LtdSME, NCG (Trading as Carlisle College), Sportscape TrainingSMEOPEN2026585 Adult Skills Programme - Skills Foundation19 Aug 2026 – 1 Aug 2027 · up to 1 Aug 2029Extensions: The North East MSA has the option, at its sole discretion, to extend these contracts for 2 x 12-month extension periods | £1,000,000 | 5 Aug 2026 | Awarded |
| GATESHEAD COLLEGE, Just IT Training LimitedSMEOPEN2026584 Adult Skills Programme - Skills for Work (Tech, Digital and AI)19 Aug 2026 – 1 Aug 2027 · up to 1 Aug 2029Extensions: The North East CA has the option, at its sole discretion, to extend these contracts for 2 x 12-month extension periods | ceiling above | 5 Aug 2026 | Awarded |
| GATESHEAD COLLEGE, NEW COLLEGE DURHAM, RE:GEN ACADEMY LIMITEDSME, TRN (Train) LimitedSMEOPEN2026583 Adult Skills Programme - Skills for Work (Level 2 Construction and the Built Environment)19 Aug 2026 – 1 Aug 2027 · up to 1 Aug 2029Extensions: The North East CA has the option, at its sole discretion, to extend these contracts for 2 x 12-month extension periods | £750,000 | 5 Aug 2026 | Awarded |
| GATESHEAD COLLEGE, NEW COLLEGE DURHAMOPEN2026582 Adult Skills Programme - Skills for Work (Green Jobs)19 Aug 2026 – 1 Aug 2027 · up to 1 Aug 2029Extensions: The North East CA has the option, at its sole discretion, to extend these contracts for 2 x 12-month extension periods | £2,500,000 | 5 Aug 2026 | Awarded |
| CASTLEVIEW GROUP TRAINING LIMITEDSME, GATESHEAD COLLEGE, GEM Partnership LtdSMEOPEN2026580 Adult Skills Programme - Skills for Work (Advanced Manufacturing including Electric Vehicles)19 Aug 2026 – 1 Aug 2027 · up to 1 Aug 2029Extensions: The North East CA has the option, at its sole discretion, to extend these contracts for 2 x 12-month extension periods | ceiling above | 5 Aug 2026 | Awarded |
| OPTIMUM SKILLS LIMITEDSME, Penshaw View Training LimitedSME, TLG BUSINESS SERVICES LIMITEDSMEOPEN2026578 Adult Skills Programme - Skills Activation (Visitor Economy)19 Aug 2026 – 1 Aug 2027 · up to 1 Aug 2029Extensions: The North East CA has the option, at its sole discretion, to extend these contracts for 2 x 12-month extension periods | ceiling above | 5 Aug 2026 | Awarded |
| GEM Partnership LtdSME, HEALTH & SAFETY TRAINING LIMITEDSME, Momentum Recruitment LimitedSME, OPTIMUM SKILLS LIMITEDSME, Realise Learning and Employment Limited, Release Potential LtdSME +3 moreOPEN2026577 Adult Skills Programme - Skills Activation (Sector Focussed)19 Aug 2026 – 1 Aug 2027 · up to 1 Aug 2029Extensions: The North East CA has the option, at its sole discretion, to extend these contracts for 2 x 12-month extension periods | £6,000,000 | 5 Aug 2026 | Awarded |
| ALPHA CARE AGENCY LIMITEDSME, Learning Curve Group Limited, TRN (Train) LimitedSME, Think Employment LtdSME, Winnovation LtdSMEOPEN2026572 Adult Skills Programme - Skills Activation (Child Development and Wellbeing and Health & Social Care)19 Aug 2026 – 1 Aug 2027 · up to 1 Aug 2029Extensions: The North East CA has the option, at its sole discretion, to extend these contracts for 2 x 12-month extension periods | £2,500,000 | 5 Aug 2026 | Awarded |
Contracts
All 3 of these contracts carry the same published figure, £1,500,000, the framework's maximum for the whole notice, not each contract's own value. They are not eleven separate sums.
OPEN2026585 Adult Skills Programme - Skills Foundation · B-Skill LtdSME, NCG (Trading as Carlisle College), Sportscape TrainingSME
- Signed
- 16 Sept 2026
- Value
- £1,000,000
- Period
- 17 Sept 2026 – 1 Aug 2027 · up to 1 Aug 2029 with extensions
- Status
- active
- Extensions
- 2x12 month options to extend
Adult Skills Programme - Skills Activation - Level 3 Information & Communication Technology · Aim 2 Learn LtdSME, Back 2 Work Complete TrainingSME
- Signed
- 16 Sept 2026
- Value
- £1,000,000
- Period
- 17 Sept 2026 – 31 Jul 2027 · up to 31 Jul 2029 with extensions
- Status
- active
- Extensions
- 2x12 Month Options to Extend
OPEN2026584 Adult Skills Programme - Skills for Work (Tech, Digital and AI) · GATESHEAD COLLEGE, Just IT Training LimitedSME
- Signed
- 16 Sept 2026
- Value
- ceiling above
- Period
- 17 Sept 2026 – 1 Aug 2027 · up to 1 Aug 2029 with extensions
- Status
- active
- Extensions
- 2x12 month options to extend
OPEN2026583 Adult Skills Programme - Skills for Work (Level 2 Construction and the Built Environment) · GATESHEAD COLLEGE, NEW COLLEGE DURHAM, RE:GEN ACADEMY LIMITEDSME, TRN (Train) LimitedSME
- Signed
- 16 Sept 2026
- Value
- £750,000
- Period
- 17 Sept 2026 – 1 Aug 2027 · up to 1 Aug 2029 with extensions
- Status
- active
- Extensions
- 2x12 month options to extend
OPEN2026582 Adult Skills Programme - Skills for Work (Green Jobs) · GATESHEAD COLLEGE, NEW COLLEGE DURHAM
- Signed
- 16 Sept 2026
- Value
- £2,500,000
- Period
- 17 Sept 2026 – 1 Aug 2027 · up to 1 Aug 2029 with extensions
- Status
- active
- Extensions
- 2x12 month options to extend
OPEN2026580 Adult Skills Programme - Skills for Work (Advanced Manufacturing including Electric Vehicles) · CASTLEVIEW GROUP TRAINING LIMITEDSME, GATESHEAD COLLEGE, GEM Partnership LtdSME
- Signed
- 16 Sept 2026
- Value
- ceiling above
- Period
- 17 Sept 2026 – 1 Aug 2027 · up to 1 Aug 2029 with extensions
- Status
- active
- Extensions
- 2x12 month options to extend
OPEN2026578 Adult Skills Programme - Skills Activation (Visitor Economy) · OPTIMUM SKILLS LIMITEDSME, Penshaw View Training LimitedSME, TLG BUSINESS SERVICES LIMITEDSME
- Signed
- 16 Sept 2026
- Value
- ceiling above
- Period
- 17 Sept 2026 – 1 Aug 2027 · up to 1 Aug 2029 with extensions
- Status
- active
- Extensions
- 2x12 month options to extend
OPEN2026577 Adult Skills Programme - Skills Activation (Sector Focussed) · GEM Partnership LtdSME, HEALTH & SAFETY TRAINING LIMITEDSME, Momentum Recruitment LimitedSME, OPTIMUM SKILLS LIMITEDSME, Realise Learning and Employment Limited, Release Potential LtdSME +3 more
- Signed
- 16 Sept 2026
- Value
- £6,000,000
- Period
- 17 Sept 2026 – 1 Aug 2027 · up to 1 Aug 2029 with extensions
- Status
- active
- Extensions
- 2x12 month options to extend
OPEN2026572 Adult Skills Programme - Skills Activation (Child Development and Wellbeing and Health & Social Care) · ALPHA CARE AGENCY LIMITEDSME, Learning Curve Group Limited, TRN (Train) LimitedSME, Think Employment LtdSME, Winnovation LtdSME
- Signed
- 16 Sept 2026
- Value
- £2,500,000
- Period
- 17 Sept 2026 – 1 Aug 2027 · up to 1 Aug 2029 with extensions
- Status
- active
- Extensions
- 2x12 month options to extend
Adult Skills Programme - Skills for Work - Foundational Economy · Back 2 Work Complete TrainingSME, GATESHEAD COLLEGE, Learning Curve Group Limited, NCG (Trading as Carlisle College), NEW COLLEGE DURHAM, Sportscape TrainingSME +1 more
- Signed
- 16 Sept 2026
- Value
- £5,000,000
- Period
- 17 Sept 2026 – 31 Jul 2027 · up to 31 Jul 2029 with extensions
- Status
- active
- Extensions
- 2X12 Month Options to Extend
Bid statistics published by the authority
| Bids | SME | VCSE | Valid bid range |
|---|---|---|---|
| 38final-stage tenders | 17 | 17 | — |
Who bid (first 60 of 93)
- wonNCG · North East England
- wonSPORTSCAPE TRAINING LTDSME · North East England
- wonB-SKILL LIMITEDSME · North East England
- wonGateshead College · North East England
- wonLeep Talent LimitedSME · North West England
- wonRE:GEN ACADEMY LIMITEDSME · North East England
- wonTRN (TRAIN) LTD.SME · North East England
- wonNew College Durham · North East England
- wonCASTLEVIEW GROUP TRAINING LIMITEDSME · North East England
- wonGEM PARTNERSHIP LIMITEDSME · North East England
- wonTLG BUSINESS SERVICES LIMITEDSME · North East England
- wonOPTIMUM SKILLS LIMITEDSME · North East England
- wonPENSHAW VIEW TRAINING LIMITEDSME · North East England
- wonMOMENTUM RECRUITMENT LIMITEDSME · West Midlands
- wonRELEASE POTENTIAL LTDSME · North East England
- wonREALISE LEARNING AND EMPLOYMENT LIMITED · Yorkshire and the Humber
- wonWINNOVATION LIMITEDSME · North East England
- wonHEALTH & SAFETY TRAINING LIMITEDSME · North East England
- wonTHINK EMPLOYMENT LIMITEDSME · Yorkshire and the Humber
- wonLEARNING CURVE GROUP LIMITED · North East England
- wonALPHA CARE AGENCY LIMITEDSME · Greater London
- did not winCity of Sunderland College · North East England
- did not winSTAFF POWER TRAINING LIMITEDSME · North East England
- did not win3D 360 LIMITEDSME · North West England
- did not winACCESS TRAINING LIMITEDSME · North East England
- did not win3T TRAINING SERVICES LIMITEDSME · South West England
- did not winUTRAINING LIMITEDSME · North East England
- did not winANTREC LIMITED · North East England
- did not winAPCYMRU LIMITED · Wales (Cymru)
- did not winBALTIC TRAINING SERVICES LIMITEDSME · North East England
- wonBACK TO WORK TRAINING LIMITEDSME · North West England
- did not winBishop Auckland College · North East England
- did not winBioGrad Education LimitedSME · North West England
- did not winBlue Sky Assessing and Consultancy LtdSME · South West England
- did not winBREAKTHROUGH SOCIAL ENTERPRISE LIMITEDSME · Greater London
- did not winBRIGHT DIRECTION TRAINING LIMITEDSME · North West England
- did not winBRITASIA TV NETWORK LTDSME · West Midlands
- did not winCECOS COMPUTING INTERNATIONAL LIMITEDSME · Greater London
- did not winCOMMUNITY LINKS TRAINING & ENTERPRISE LTDSME · North West England
- did not winDerwentside College · North East England
- did not winDIAMOND PEOPLE (NE) LIMITEDSME · North East England
- did not winDIGITAL TELECOMS NETWORK ACADEMY LIMITEDSME · North East England
- did not winEast Durham College · North East England
- did not winEDEN TRAINING ACADEMY LIMITEDSME · North East England
- did not winENTERPRISE MADE SIMPLE LTDSME · North East England
- did not winFIRST FACE TO FACE LTDSME · North East England
- did not winFUTURE CONNECT TRAINING AND RECRUITMENT LTDSME · Greater London
- did not winGateshead Borough Council · North East England
- did not winGROUNDWORK NORTH EASTVCSE · North East England
- did not winHANDCRAFTED PROJECTSVCSE · North East England
- did not winHartlepool College of Further Education · North East England
- did not winHGV TRAINING SERVICES LIMITEDSME · Greater London
- did not winHOLT GREEN TRAINING LTDSME · North West England
- did not winI & F LIMITEDSME · North West England
- did not winIMETA TRAINING AND SOLUTIONS LTDSME · West Midlands
- did not winINTEGER TRAINING LIMITEDSME · South West England
- did not winJCL SKILLS SOLUTIONS LIMITEDSME · North West England
- did not winLEARNING FOR EXCELLENCE LTDSME · North East England
- did not winLET ME PLAY LIMITEDSME · East of England
- did not winLOGISTICS SKILLS & CONSULTANCY LTDSME · North East England
Bidders as named on the Procurement Act 2023 award notice. “Won” means the bidder holds an award on this notice.
Contracting authority & participating public bodies
Framework contractors & participating bidders
94 commercial parties on the notice · 11 awardedThe first 50 of 94 commercial parties (by name); the JSON mirror lists them all.
- 3D 360 LIMITEDBidder / tenderer
- 3T TRAINING SERVICES LIMITEDBidder / tenderer
- ACCESS TRAINING LIMITEDBidder / tenderer
- AIM 2 LEARN LTDFramework contractor
- ALPHA CARE AGENCY LIMITEDFramework contractor
- ANTREC LIMITEDBidder / tenderer
- APCYMRU LIMITEDBidder / tenderer
- B-SKILL LIMITEDFramework contractor
- BACK TO WORK TRAINING LIMITEDFramework contractor
- BALTIC TRAINING SERVICES LIMITEDBidder / tenderer
Show 40 more suppliers
- BREAKTHROUGH SOCIAL ENTERPRISE LIMITEDBidder / tenderer
- BRIGHT DIRECTION TRAINING LIMITEDBidder / tenderer
- BRITASIA TV NETWORK LTDBidder / tenderer
- BioGrad Education LimitedBidder / tenderer
- Bishop Auckland CollegeBidder / tenderer
- Blue Sky Assessing and Consultancy LtdBidder / tenderer
- CASTLEVIEW GROUP TRAINING LIMITEDFramework contractor
- CECOS COMPUTING INTERNATIONAL LIMITEDBidder / tenderer
- COMMUNITY LINKS TRAINING & ENTERPRISE LTDBidder / tenderer
- City of Sunderland CollegeBidder / tenderer
- DIAMOND PEOPLE (NE) LIMITEDBidder / tenderer
- DIGITAL TELECOMS NETWORK ACADEMY LIMITEDBidder / tenderer
- Derwentside CollegeBidder / tenderer
- EDEN TRAINING ACADEMY LIMITEDBidder / tenderer
- ENTERPRISE MADE SIMPLE LTDBidder / tenderer
- East Durham CollegeBidder / tenderer
- FIRST FACE TO FACE LTDBidder / tenderer
- FUTURE CONNECT TRAINING AND RECRUITMENT LTDBidder / tenderer
- GEM PARTNERSHIP LIMITEDFramework contractor
- GROUNDWORK NORTH EASTBidder / tenderer
- Gateshead Borough CouncilBidder / tenderer
- Gateshead CollegeFramework contractor
- HANDCRAFTED PROJECTSBidder / tenderer
- HEALTH & SAFETY TRAINING LIMITEDFramework contractor
- HGV TRAINING SERVICES LIMITEDBidder / tenderer
- HOLT GREEN TRAINING LTDBidder / tenderer
- Hartlepool College of Further EducationBidder / tenderer
- I & F LIMITEDBidder / tenderer
- IMETA TRAINING AND SOLUTIONS LTDBidder / tenderer
- INTEGER TRAINING LIMITEDBidder / tenderer
- JCL SKILLS SOLUTIONS LIMITEDBidder / tenderer
- LEARNING CURVE GROUP LIMITEDFramework contractor
- LEARNING FOR EXCELLENCE LTDBidder / tenderer
- LET ME PLAY LIMITEDBidder / tenderer
- LOGISTICS SKILLS & CONSULTANCY LTDBidder / tenderer
- LOKMAN TRAINING LTDBidder / tenderer
- Leep Talent LimitedFramework contractor
- MASTERED STUDIOS LTDBidder / tenderer
- MEDEX (GROUP) LTDBidder / tenderer
- MOMENTUM RECRUITMENT LIMITEDFramework contractor
Official documents & specifications (24)
Official links; attachments are not copiedTender pack and attachments
- Bidding documents and specifications Documents Available at: OPEN2026585 Adult Skills Programme - Skills Foundation OPEN2026584 Adult Skills Programme - Skills for Work (Tech, Digital and AI) OPEN2026583 Adult Skills Programme - Skills for Work (Level 2 Construction and the Built Environment) OPEN2026582 Adult Skill…
Notices published for this procedure
- Contract details notice Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- Contract details notice Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- Contract details notice Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- Contract details notice Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- Contract details notice Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- Contract details notice Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- Contract details notice Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- Contract details notice Contract details notice on Find a Tender
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- Contract award notice Contract award notice on Find a Tender
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- Contract award notice Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- Contract award notice Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- Contract award notice Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- Tender notice Tender notice on Find a Tender
- Preliminary market engagement notice Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
- Planned procurement notice Planned procurement notice on Find a Tender