Scope
Reference
ID 6210936
Description
This contract will be broken down into 2 Lots: • Lot 1 - Face-to-face training for groups of farmers • Lot 2 - Themed peer-to-peer group facilitators Each Lot will be evaluated and awarded independently. Lot 1- CAFRE require a Supplier to administer, secure access to appropriate venues and deliver training to participants who cannot use e-learning courses without support. The supplier will be required to administer, hire appropriate venues, and deliver training sessions to groups of participating farmers. Each course will have its own specific Learning Outcomes, underpinning knowledge, assessment process (if required) and delivery schedule. Lot 2 - CAFRE requires a Supplier to administer and deliver specialist technical facilitation and mentoring to Themed Groups. These groups will be delivered alongside Business Sustainability Groups (BSGs) and are a development from the previous Business Development Group (BDG) scheme which operated under the Northern Ireland Rural Development Programme. BSGs are enterprise specific but with a focus on the sustainability of the entire farm. Themed Groups will provide more focused support and advice relating to specific enterprises and topics. Groups will also have a shorter duration of 18-24 months with an estimated 3-6 meetings per group per year dependent on topic.
Total value (estimated)
- £3,500,000 excluding VAT
- £4,200,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 5 January 2026 to 4 January 2029
- Possible extension to 4 January 2031
- 5 years
Description of possible extension:
One optional extension period of 2 years for each Lot. The extension will be utilised at the Buyers discretion.
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 80000000 - Education and training services
- 80500000 - Training services
- 80522000 - Training seminars
- 80521000 - Training programme services
- 80531200 - Technical training services
- 80510000 - Specialist training services
Lot 1. Face-to-face training for groups of farmers
Description
CAFRE require a Supplier to administer, secure access to appropriate venues and deliver training to participants who cannot use e-learning courses without support.
The supplier will be required to administer, hire appropriate venues, and deliver training sessions to groups of participating farmers.
The training courses will be prioritised by DAERA as part of the Sustainable Agriculture Programme or wider policy programme, with CAFRE responsible for overall planning and development of learning materials for each training course. Each course will have its own specific Learning Outcomes, underpinning knowledge, assessment process (if required) and delivery schedule.
Lot value (estimated)
- £500,000 excluding VAT
- £600,000 including VAT
Same for all lots
CPV classifications and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot 2. Themed peer-to-peer group facilitators
Description
CAFRE requires a Supplier to administer and deliver specialist technical facilitation and mentoring to Themed Groups. These groups will be delivered alongside Business Sustainability Groups (BSGs) and are a development from the previous Business Development Group (BDG) scheme which operated under the Northern Ireland Rural Development Programme. BSGs are enterprise specific but with a focus on the sustainability of the entire farm. Themed Groups will provide more focused support and advice relating to specific enterprises and topics. Groups will also have a shorter duration of 18-24 months with an estimated 3-6 meetings per group per year dependent on topic.
Lot value (estimated)
- £3,000,000 excluding VAT
- £3,600,000 including VAT
Same for all lots
CPV classifications and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Participation
Technical ability conditions of participation
Lot 1. Face-to-face training for groups of farmers
TA1 - Event Management Experience
Lot 2. Themed peer-to-peer group facilitators
TA1 - Company Experience
Particular suitability
Lot 1. Face-to-face training for groups of farmers
Lot 2. Themed peer-to-peer group facilitators
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
Submission
Enquiry deadline
10 November 2025, 2:00pm
Tender submission deadline
20 November 2025, 2:00pm
Submission address and any special instructions
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
5 January 2026
Award criteria
Lot 1. Face-to-face training for groups of farmers
| Name | Description | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Qualitative Criterion | 5 Criteria as detailed within the Instruction to Tender - Lot 1 Document. the criteria are Key Delivery Personnel Experience, Recruitment, Promotion and Marketing Plan, Programme Delivery and... |
Quality |
| Quantitative Criterion | Total Contract Price as detailed within the Instructions to Tender - Lot 1 document. |
Price |
Weighting description
Qualitative Criterion: 70%
Quantitative Criterion: 30%
Lot 2. Themed peer-to-peer group facilitators
| Name | Description | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Qualitative Criterion | 5 Criteria as detailed within the Instruction to Tender - Lot 2 Document. the criteria are Key Delivery Personnel Experience, Program Delivery and Implementation, Marketing and Promotion Plan,... |
Quality |
| Quantitative Criterion | Total Contract Price as detailed within the Instructions to Tender - Lot 2 document. |
Price |
Weighting description
Qualitative Criterion: 70%
Quantitative Criterion: 30%
Other information
Applicable trade agreements
- Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Special regime
Light touch
Justification for not publishing a preliminary market engagement notice
The PME was published under the previous procurement regulations and therefore a notice was not necessary.
Contracting authority
College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PYCL-3331-QQMP
45 Tirgracey Road
Antrim
BT41 4PS
United Kingdom
Region: UKN0D - Antrim and Newtownabbey
Organisation type: Public authority - central government
Devolved regulations that apply: Northern Ireland
Other organisation
These organisations are carrying out the procurement, or part of it, on behalf of the contracting authorities.
CPD - Supplies and Services Division
Summary of their role in this procurement: Construction 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.
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PVWG-8426-YWXV
Clare House 303 Airport Road West
Belfast
BT3 9ED
United Kingdom
Region: UKN06 - Belfast