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.
This will be a demand-led contract and all values are estimates only.
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 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.
Contract 1. ID 6210936 - DAERA - CAFRE - Farming for Sustainability Scheme: Training and Themed Groups Requirements - Lot 1: Face-to-face training for groups of farmers
Lots
Lot 1. Face-to-face training for groups of farmers
Supplier
Contract value
- £500,000 excluding VAT
- £600,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Award decision date
12 December 2025
Date assessment summaries were sent to tenderers
12 December 2025
Standstill period
- End: 23 December 2025
- 8 working days
Earliest date the contract will be signed
29 December 2025
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
- 80522000 - Training seminars
- 80521000 - Training programme services
- 80531200 - Technical training services
- 80510000 - Specialist training services
Contract 2. ID 6210936 - Farming for Sustainability Scheme: Training and Themed Groups Requirements – Lot 2: Themed peer-to-peer group facilitators
Lots
Lot 2. Themed peer-to-peer group facilitators
Supplier
Contract value
- £3,000,000 excluding VAT
- £3,600,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Award decision date
12 December 2025
Date assessment summaries were sent to tenderers
12 December 2025
Standstill period
- End: 23 December 2025
- 8 working days
Earliest date the contract will be signed
29 December 2025
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
- 80510000 - Specialist training services
- 80521000 - Training programme services
- 80522000 - Training seminars
- 80531200 - Technical training services
Information about tenders
Lot 1. Face-to-face training for groups of farmers
- 2 tenders received
- 2 tenders assessed in the final stage:
- 2 submitted by small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- 1 submitted by voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
- 1 supplier awarded contracts
- 1 supplier unsuccessful (details included for contracts over £5 million)
Lot 2. Themed peer-to-peer group facilitators
- 2 tenders received
- 2 tenders assessed in the final stage:
- 2 submitted by small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- 1 submitted by voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
- 1 supplier awarded contracts
- 1 supplier unsuccessful (details included for contracts over £5 million)
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Special regime
Light touch
Supplier
Countryside Services Limited
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PDLJ-1526-MNDY
97 Moy Road
Dungannon
BT71 7DX
United Kingdom
Region: UKN0B - Mid Ulster
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): Yes
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Supported employment provider: No
Public service mutual: No
Contract 1. ID 6210936 - DAERA - CAFRE - Farming for Sustainability Scheme: Training and Themed Groups Requirements - Lot 1: Face-to-face training for groups of farmers
Contract 2. ID 6210936 - Farming for Sustainability Scheme: Training and Themed Groups Requirements - Lot 2: Themed peer-to-peer group facilitators
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