Scope
Reference
ID 6002309
Description
CAFRE requires a Supplier to design, develop and deliver self-directed learning packages tailored for farmers across Northern Ireland as part of DAERA's Farming for Sustainability Scheme (Knowledge 2025-2030). The learning packages will be prioritised by DAERA as part of the Sustainable Agriculture Programme or wider policy programme, with CAFRE responsible for overall planning for each package. Each package will have its own specific Learning Outcomes, underpinning knowledge, assessment process (if required) and delivery schedule. The Supplier will produce modular SCORM-compliant learning packages to be hosted on CAFRE's Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). The overall aim is to support enhanced agricultural knowledge transfer development through innovative, user-friendly, accessible, engaging, and flexible e-learning packages that promote lifelong learning and sustainable practices. The contract will be for an initial period of three years, with one option to extend by up to 2 years. Suppliers should refer to the Specification Schedule for full detail on the deliverables of this contract.
The tender documents are available with unrestricted and full direct access, free of
charge, at: URL https://etendersni.gov.uk/epps
Total value (estimated)
- £800,000 excluding VAT
- £960,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 9 February 2026 to 8 February 2029
- Possible extension to 8 February 2031
- 5 years
Description of possible extension:
One optional extension of up to two years.
Options
The right to additional purchases while the contract is valid.
The Contracting Authority reserves the right to request additional e-learning content and videos throughout the duration of the contract based on the Buyer's changing priorities. At the Buyer's request, the Supplier must also undertake post-production support and maintenance for all delivered Courses and Video Assets. Such work will be treated as Additional Services and may include, but not be limited to minor developments and content updates.
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 80420000 - E-learning services
- 80000000 - Education and training services
- 80500000 - Training services
- 80510000 - Specialist training services
- 80511000 - Staff training services
- 80521000 - Training programme services
- 80531000 - Industrial and technical training services
- 80531200 - Technical training services
- 80540000 - Environmental training services
- 48931000 - Training software package
- 72000000 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support
- 72212190 - Educational software development services
- 72212931 - Training software development services
- 72212316 - Presentation software development services
- 72212517 - IT software development services
Contract locations
- UKN - Northern Ireland
Participation
Technical ability conditions of participation
As per tender documentation
Submission
Enquiry deadline
9 January 2026, 3:00pm
Tender submission deadline
20 January 2026, 3:00pm
Submission address and any special instructions
Tenders must be submitted electronically via the relevant Call for Tender (CfT)
opportunity on eTendersNI, website details immediately below.
Paper submissions will not be accepted or considered and will be rejected by the
Contracting Authority / Buyer.
The tender documents are available with unrestricted and full direct access, free of
charge, at: URL https://etendersni.gov.uk/epps
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
26 January 2026
Award criteria
| Name | Description | Type |
|---|---|---|
| AC1 - Project Delivery Methodology | Project Delivery Methodology - 28.7 percent |
Quality |
| AC2 - Capacity for the Concurrent Development of Self-Directed Learning Packages | Capacity for the Concurrent Development of Self-Directed Learning Packages - 15.4 percent |
Quality |
| AC3 - Contract Management | Contract Management - 15.4 percent |
Quality |
| AC4 - Social Value | Social Value - 10.5 percent |
Quality |
| AC5 - Total Cost | Total Cost - 30 percent |
Cost |
Weighting description
70 percent quality and 30 percent cost
Other information
Payment terms
For further details on invoicing procedures please see : https://www.finance-ni.gov.uk/ar ticles/account-ni-good-invoicing-practice.
The estimated value figure indicated in the Scope Section represents an overall estimated contract value. This value reflects the potential scale of the contract and takes into account potential optional extension periods and the uptake of potential optional services as detailed in the tender documents. This figure does not however take into account the application of indexation or increases to charges due to increases in the Real Living Wage. Neither CPD nor the contracting Authority can provide any guarantee as to the level of business under this contract. The Contracting Authority does not bind itself to accept the lowest or any tender. Suppliers remain responsible for all costs and expenses incurred by them or by any third party acting under instructions from the Supplier in connection with taking part in this procurement process regardless of whether such costs arise as a consequence, directly or indirectly of any amendments made to the procurement documents by the Contracting Authority at any time. No legally binding contract shall arise (and a Supplier shall have no legitimate expectation that a contract will be entered into) until such time as entry into the Contract has been confirmed by the Contracting Authority.
Description of risks to contract performance
The Contracting Authority has identified the following risks as risks that satisfy the criteria of Schedule 8 sub-paragraph (6)(a) of the Procurement Act 2023 i.e. that the risk/s could jeopardise the satisfactory performance of the contract but, because of its/their nature, cannot be addressed in the contract as awarded:
1. Defining future learning requirements in line with changing priorities of the Contracting Authority
2. Delays to the delivery of services due to complexity, stakeholder and Subject Matter Expertise
3. Technical compatibility with the Contracting Authority's Virtual Learning Environment which is outside of the scope of this contract and currently being procured in a separate exercise
This contract includes additional service days to provide for continuous improvement
and also to cover for unknown risks that may arise throughout the contract period. The
additional services days may be used to cover the following as a minimum; Minor developments and Minor content updates. The Pricing Schedule includes an area for Suppliers to insert their daily rate for the provision of additional services throughout the contract period.
The Contracting Authority has concluded that there is a possibility that the contract may have to be modified as a result of a materialisation of the known risk/s at a later date in accordance with Schedule 8 paragraph 5 of the Procurement Act 2023.
Exclusions
If at any time during the procurement, or post award, it comes to the attention of the Contracting Authority (CA) or CPD, by whatever means, that a Supplier has become 'excluded' or 'excludable' as per Sec 57 of the PA 2023, the CA, after compliance with its obligations under the PA 23, reserves the right to exclude said Supplier from the procurement procedure or terminate any contract they have been awarded.
The Contracting Authority expressly reserves the rights:
(I). not to award any contract as a result of the procurement process commenced by publication of this notice;
(II). to make whatever changes it may see fit to the content and structure of the tendering Competition;
(III). to award (a) contract(s) in respect of any part(s) of the [services] covered by this notice; and
(IV). to award contract(s) in stages.
and in no circumstances will the Authority be liable for any costs incurred by candidates.
This project will be used to progress the Government's wider social, economic and environmental objectives.
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
A Preliminary Market Engagement (PME) exercise was published 14th January 2025 with a closing date for Supplier submissions of 3rd February 2025. Further meetings were held virtually and in person at CAFRE premises between 17th February 2025 and Friday 28th February 2025. The PME process has provided valuable insights into supplier capabilities and preferences to deliver bespoke training to NI farmers.
Contracting authority
Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PLDR-5748-GBBJ
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 & 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
303 Airport Road West
Belfast
BT3 9ED
United Kingdom
Region: UKN06 - Belfast