Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
Home Office
2 Marsham Street
London
SW1 4DF
GTVDigitalEB@homeoffice.gov.uk
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UK - United Kingdom
Internet address(es)
Main address
one.2) Information about joint procurement
The contract is awarded by a central purchasing body
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Ministry or any other national or federal authority
one.5) Main activity
General public services
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
Global Talent Visa - Digital Technology Endorsing Body Services
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 72221000 - Business analysis consultancy services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
The Home Office has awarded a contract for an Endorsing Body Service for persons applying through the Digital Technology route of the Global Talent Visa to assess their credibility for set criteria.
The Global Talent visa was introduced in February 2020 to replace the Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) visa and make the process smoother, efficient, and more attractive for exceptionally talented people to live and work in the UK.
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.1.7) Total value of the procurement (excluding VAT)
Value excluding VAT: £6,650,000
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 72222000 - Information systems or technology strategic review and planning services
- 72222300 - Information technology services
- 72223000 - Information technology requirements review services
- 75110000 - General public services
- 75112000 - Administrative services for business operations
- 75130000 - Supporting services for the government
- 75131000 - Government services
- 75131100 - General personnel services for the government
- 79130000 - Legal documentation and certification services
- 79132000 - Certification services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UK - United Kingdom
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
Background Information
The Secretary of State for the Home Department as part of the Crown, acting through UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) (the “Home Office”), has completed an Open Procurement Procedure under the Public Contract Regulations 2015 and is awarding a contract for an Endorsing Body Service for the Digital Technology pathway of the Global Talent Visa.
A three-year contract term will commence on 16th April 2025, concluding on 15th April 2028. The Contracting Authority has the option to extend the contract by two further 12-month periods, at its discretion.
UKVI is a department within the Home Office and has customers in the UK and outside of the UK who include but are not limited to:
• those seeking to extend permissions to work or study in the UK;
• those seeking to extend permissions to stay or settle with family in the UK;
• those progressing from earlier immigration permissions to British nationality
The UK has replaced freedom of movement with a comprehensive points-based immigration system that ensures we continue to be global leaders, supporting UK employers in taking advantage of the opportunities now open to them by recruiting the best and brightest global talent from around the world.
UKVI is responsible for making millions of decisions every year about who has the right to visit or stay in the country, with a firm emphasis on national security and a culture of customer satisfaction for people who come to the UK legally.
The Home Office’s vision is to have a world-leading immigration service working for a safe and prosperous UK. To that end, two key missions are to deliver world-class customer service and to control migration. The Buyer’s challenge is to transform services in a way that enhances customer experience and UK border security.
The Global Talent Visa is an enabler of this immigration policy. It was introduced in February 2020 to replace the Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) visa and make the process smoother, efficient, and more attractive for exceptionally talented people to live and work in the UK.
To qualify under the Global Talent Visa category, most applicants (excluding those that have prestigious prizes) need to be endorsed by a relevant Endorsing Body. The Endorsing Body is responsible for assessing whether an individual is internationally recognised as, or has demonstrated the potential to become, a leader in digital technology.
The Global Talent Visa application process requires individuals to make their endorsement application direct to the Home Office. This includes paying the fee and submitting information and evidence linked to their claim of exceptional talent or promise. The Home Office then send all relevant information to the Endorsing Body.
Although the endorsement application is submitted to the Home Office, the endorsing body carry out the assessment without involvement from the Home Office. If the endorsing body is satisfied that an individual is of sufficient calibre to receive endorsement, applicants are able to apply to the Home Office for a Global Talent Visa. The endorsing body is not involved in the visa part of the assessment.
Endorsing bodies also work with the Home Office to formulate, agree, publish and apply the criteria that applicants are required to meet to be considered as “exceptionally talented” or as demonstrating “exceptional promise” in the digital technology field. Due to the nature of the service, it is necessary for the Endorsing Body to be a leading expert in the Digital Technology industry.
Currently around 4,000 customers apply for endorsement per annum from across the UK and the rest of the world.
Additional information on the visa can be found here: Work in the UK as a leader in digital technology (Global Talent visa) : Overview – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
two.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion - Name: Quality - Technical / Weighting: 55
Quality criterion - Name: Quality - Social Value / Weighting: 10
Cost criterion - Name: Price / Weighting: 35
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: No
two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.1) Type of procedure
Open procedure
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes
four.2) Administrative information
four.2.1) Previous publication concerning this procedure
Notice number: 2024/S 000-032170
four.2.9) Information about termination of call for competition in the form of a prior information notice
The contracting authority will not award any further contracts based on the above prior information notice
Section five. Award of contract
Contract No
Contract_15917
Title
Contract for the Provision of Global Talent Visa – Digital Technology Endorsing Body Services
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
16 April 2025
five.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 4
Number of tenders received from SMEs: 4
Number of tenders received by electronic means: 4
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Tech Nation Group Limited
Level 6, 2 Arundel Street
London
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UK - United Kingdom
National registration number
08843778
The contractor is an SME
Yes
five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot: £6,650,000
Section six. Complementary information
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
Royal Courts of Justice
Strand
London
WC2A 2LL
Country
United Kingdom