Scope
Description
On 17 December, the UK and the European Commission reached an agreement in principle for the UK to associate to Erasmus+ in 2027.
Erasmus+ is the European Union's flagship programme to support education, training, youth, and sport in Europe and beyond, with an overall estimated budget of €26.2 billion for the period 2021-27. It is a grant funding scheme offering a broad range of opportunities for learners and staff across the education, training, youth, and sport sectors.
Procurement of a Visa Sponsor
Separately, the Department is seeking to procure an overarching sponsor to issue Certificates of Sponsorship and ensure compliance with Home Office requirements for a new Erasmus+ Government Authorised Exchange (Temporary Work) visa scheme, for inbound mobilities to the UK where participants are undertaking supernumerary work placements such as traineeships, teacher assignments or training assignments.
The DfE is keen to maximise opportunities to participate in procurement for Small to Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) and Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprises (VCSEs). Consideration will also be given to consortia and collaborative bids from all forms of organisations.
Total value (estimated)
- £7,500,000 excluding VAT
- £10,400,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 August 2026 to 1 December 2028
- Possible extension to 1 December 2029
- 3 years, 4 months, 1 day
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 75112000 - Administrative services for business operations
- 75100000 - Administration services
- 75121000 - Administrative educational services
- 75125000 - Administrative services related to tourism affairs
- 79994000 - Contract administration services
- 79512000 - Call centre
- 79342300 - Customer services
- 72253000 - Helpdesk and support services
- 72253100 - Helpdesk services
- 63515000 - Travel services
Engagement
Engagement deadline
31 July 2026
Engagement process description
**THIS PMEN NOTICE IS TO NOTIFY SUPPLIERS OF A POTENTIAL UPCOMING REQUIREMENT THAT WE ANTICIPATE COULD BE ADVERTISED **
For the purposes of this notice, we have listed the Department for Education as the contracting authority for any awarded contract.
We are looking to understand the market available to deliver our potential requirements, so that we can better understand how we may structure our requirements and develop our strategy. All details in this PMEN are subject to being updated or changed in the tender notice.
This PMEN does not signify the commencement of any procurement process and does not constitute any commitment by the Department for Education.
This is a Preliminary Market Engagement Notice (PMEN) for information purposes only. It is not a formal invitation to tender. You will need to respond to any tender notice that may be issued in order to be considered for any upcoming contract.
The PMEN fulfils the requirement for a Preliminary Market Engagement Notice to be issued under the Procurement Act 2023.
We will be holding a virtual supplier event on 24th February 2026. Please see below for details.
How to engage
There will be an introductory market engagement webinar via Microsoft Teams at 11am 24th February 2026, which will run for approximately 60 minutes.
The purpose of the event is to:
Provide an overview of the responsibility of a GAE visa sponsor.
Provide indicative timelines, and thinking of the department on the procurement process.
Gather feedback on the design (including timelines) and scope of the tender.
We would encourage the attendance of interested suppliers at the market engagement event. We are keen to speak to as many organisations as possible to allow the market to shape our thinking and to ensure that the requirements of any invitation to tender that we may issue are deliverable.
Jaggaer
All communication and information will be released through Jaggaer. All information from the day, including Q&A, will be made available via Jaggaer to those who are unable to attend.
To participate in this opportunity and register your organisation’s interest in attending the webinar, please register for an account and view the “current opportunities” page at Jaggaer https://education.app.jaggaer.com and search for: “project_ project_10326 - Erasmus+ Temporary Worker Visa Sponsorship Services
Once you have located project_ 10326, please confirm your interest by selecting “Express Interest” to receive full access to the opportunity. All relevant documentation will be made available in the Data Room, which can be accessed via the “Buyer Attachments” section, under “ITT Details”.
Please note, you must answer the question within the “My Response” section and submit your response to ensure registration at the webinar. You can then use the messaging function to provide attendee details.
Participation
Particular suitability
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Contracting authority
Department for Education
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PDZG-3487-DPVD
Sanctuary Buildings, 20 Great Smith Street
London
SW1P3BT
United Kingdom
Region: UKI32 - Westminster
Organisation type: Public authority - central government