Scope
Reference
CSP250477
Description
The final date and time for the submission of bids is Wednesday 14th January 2026 at 11:00hrs
DO NOT apply directly to the buyer.
All tender information MUST be submitted through the Jaggaer eSourcing Portal.
Overview of Training and Mentoring Programme
We are inviting bidders to set out an approach to deliver a Training and Mentoring programme for three cohorts of UKRI Policy Fellows. The programme will begin in February 2026 for the 2025 cohort of fellows.
Aims and Objectives of Training and Mentoring Programme
The core aims and objectives of the training and mentoring are to:
• Prepare Fellows for the cultural transition into government
• Advance fellows in their careers
• Foster networks and cross-working
• Tailor support to different disciplines and career stages
• Create a lasting alumni legacy
To meet the aims as set out above, bidders should address the following objectives:
• Offer a series of themed and focused learning sessions spanning each individual cohort. Bidders should ensure the time commitment is manageable for fellows and provide dates and times in advance.
• The sessions should be inclusive, with at least two face-to-face meetings over the cohort. Any face-to-face sessions will be based in the UK, and the successful supplier should determine location once cohort members have been recruited, taking an inclusive approach to location and venue.
• Encourage cross-disciplinary collaboration, peer support and opportunities to strengthen relationship building.
• Actively design opportunities for fellows to build networks, identify synergies across fellowships, and support collaboration both among fellows and between host departments
• Ensure longevity of benefit to participants beyond the duration of the programme itself.
• Work closely with ESRC, providing regular (minimum monthly to start with) progress reviews via email, phone, or video conferencing in advance of and after each event/deliverable.
This requirement is split into 2 Lots and 1 supplier be awarded for each:
Lot 1 – Training
The focus areas of this training programme are likely to include the following topics, but will not be limited to:
• Policy making in the UK, actors, structure, cycles, streams
• Networking and building relationships in policy
• Communication training for policy, including writing and briefing
• Supporting evidence use in government
• Knowledge Exchange (KE) and science for policy in UK and international
• Equality Diversity Inclusion (EDI) in KE
• Wellbeing and mental health considerations during a fellowship
• Developing effective impact case studies and using impact to support career progression
• Data; Access, Use, Ethics and AI
Lot 2 - Mentoring
In addition to complimenting the areas of focus covered by the training programme, the mentoring programme could focus on (but not be limited to) the following activities:
• Identifying and building on fellows’ unique strengths and experiences
• Creating and implementing individual development plans
• Identifying potential career pathways
• Agreeing individual outcomes and personal milestones
• Supporting fellows to grow relevant contacts and networks
• Develop specific plans for communicating their research effectively to policy audiences
Single bidders are welcome to submit proposals to deliver both lots (Training and Mentoring), or to submit proposals for just Lot 1 (Training) or Lot 2 (Mentoring).
Please ensure you review all attached information to ensure a full understanding of this requirement. All attachments can be found with the Supplier Attachments tab within the Jaggaer eSourcing Portal.
The contract(s) will be awarded based on the evaluation criteria as set out in the RFP document.
How to Apply
UK Shared Business Services Ltd (UKSBS) will be using the Jaggaer eSourcing Portal for this procurement.
To register on the Jaggaer eSourcing portal please use the link https://beisgroup.ukp.app.jaggaer.com/ and follow the instructions to register as a supplier.
If you are already registered on the Jaggaer eSourcing Portal and wish to participate in this procurement, please use the link: https://beisgroup.ukp.app.jaggaer.com/.
Once you are logged into the system you will be able to locate the Procurement you wish to leave a bid on by clicking the ITTs Open to All Suppliers and searching for the reference number CSP250477 and Jaggaer ITT reference number ITT_2407.
Lot 1. Training
Description
Lot 1 Training
Group training sessions offered to the whole cohort (circa 40 fellows) each year will enable the fellows to acquire knowledge and insights that will support their fellowships, increase impact, and support future career development.
Two sessions must be delivered in person (at a minimum) to allow for networking and encourage the cohort approach. Where bidders suggest more in person sessions, they will need to demonstrate how they have considered the impact on accessibility given that fellows are based across the UK.
The focus areas of this training programme are likely to include the following topics, but will not be limited to:
• Policy making in the UK, actors, structure, cycles, streams
• Networking and building relationships in policy
• Communication training for policy, including writing and briefing
• Supporting evidence use in government
• Knowledge Exchange (KE) and science for policy in UK and international
• Equality Diversity Inclusion (EDI) in KE
• Wellbeing and mental health considerations during a fellowship
• Developing effective impact case studies and using impact to support career progression
• Data; Access, Use, Ethics and AI
The training provider should demonstrate how the designed programme has been tailored to the phases of the fellowship. The provider will design and deliver sessions as well as coordinate with other parties delivering training, such as government bodies (e.g. POST, GoS, etc.) and UKRI investments (e.g. UKRI Policy Fellowship Alumni, ECO, METIUS). The training should be designed to support fellows during their fellowship in central and devolved government roles, and What Works Evidence Networks, and help develop policy engagement skills that will support their future career development.
Training should take place as a combination of in person and virtual.
Activities should be context-driven and offer experiential learning opportunities through a variety of interactive formats and session types.
Lot 2. Mentoring
Description
Lot 2 Mentoring
In addition to complimenting the areas of focus covered by the training programme, the mentoring programme could focus on (but not be limited to) the following activities:
• Identifying and building on fellows' unique strengths and experiences
• Creating and implementing individual development plans
• Identifying potential career pathways
• Agreeing individual outcomes and personal milestones
• Supporting fellows to grow relevant contacts and networks
• Develop specific plans for communicating their research effectively to policy audiences
Mentoring will support and compliment the training programme (see above), accelerating the personal and professional development of mentees, providing tailored support to increasing their impact during the fellowship, but also informing their future career development. UKRI has strong ambitions for participants in its fellowship schemes and sees effective mentoring to support academics for key leadership roles in public policy e.g. chief scientific advisors.
The mentoring provided is expected to draw from the full range of expertise and experience of key stakeholders (e.g. Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology, Government Office for Science, academic networks and ESRC/UKRI investments with expertise in Knowledge Exchange, policy engagement and evidence synthesis) and other relevant experts. Mentoring support will be tailored to meet the specific requirements of each individual fellow.
UKRI is looking for bidders to offer mentoring opportunities to all fellows and therefore this will not be limited to those with "unique development potential". We would like bidders to suggest the number of hours/sessions/format that they feel would be suitable for the mentoring program noting that some form of the mentoring opportunity should be accessible to all UKRI Policy Fellows.
Contract 1. Lot 1 - Training
Lots
Lot 1. Training
Supplier
Contract value
- £209,775 excluding VAT
- £251,730 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Award decision date
28 January 2026
Date assessment summaries were sent to tenderers
28 January 2026
Standstill period
- End: 6 February 2026
- 8 working days
Earliest date the contract will be signed
10 February 2026
Contract dates (estimated)
- 12 February 2026 to 29 March 2030
- 4 years, 1 month, 18 days
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 80000000 - Education and training services
Contract 2. Lot 2 - Mentoring
Lots
Lot 2. Mentoring
Supplier
Contract value
- £148,749 excluding VAT
- £178,498.80 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Award decision date
28 January 2026
Date assessment summaries were sent to tenderers
28 January 2026
Standstill period
- End: 6 February 2026
- 8 working days
Earliest date the contract will be signed
10 February 2026
Contract dates (estimated)
- 12 February 2026 to 29 March 2030
- 4 years, 1 month, 18 days
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 79998000 - Coaching services
Information about tenders
Lot 1. Training
- 3 tenders received
- 3 tenders assessed in the final stage:
- 3 submitted by small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- 0 submitted by voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
- 1 supplier awarded contracts
- 2 suppliers unsuccessful (details included for contracts over £5 million)
Lot 2. Mentoring
- 4 tenders received
- 4 tenders assessed in the final stage:
- 4 submitted by small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- 0 submitted by voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
- 1 supplier awarded contracts
- 3 suppliers unsuccessful (details included for contracts over £5 million)
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Suppliers
Institute for Government
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PRPH-9144-DPGR
2 Carlton Gardens
London
SW1Y 5AA
United Kingdom
Region: UKI32 - Westminster
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): Yes
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Supported employment provider: No
Public service mutual: No
Contract 1. Lot 1 - Training
Zinc Ventures Limited
- Companies House: 10796984
Euston House, Eversholt Street
London
NW1 1AD
United Kingdom
Email: polly@zinc.vc
Region: UKI31 - Camden and City of London
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): Yes
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Supported employment provider: No
Public service mutual: No
Contract 2. Lot 2 - Mentoring
Contracting authority
UKRI
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PDQJ-7126-JDHG
Polaris House
Swindon
SN2 1FL
United Kingdom
Email: Commercial@ukri.org
Region: UKK14 - Swindon
Organisation type: Public authority - central government
Other organisation
These organisations are carrying out the procurement, or part of it, on behalf of the contracting authorities.
UK Shared Business Services Ltd
Summary of their role in this procurement: Shared Service Provider
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PMPN-7535-GNTG
Polaris House, North Star Avenue
Swindon
SN2 1FF
United Kingdom
Email: coreservices@uksbs.co.uk
Region: UKK14 - Swindon