AwardedAwarded 20 August 2026

Erasmus+ Government Authorised Exchange Visa Sponsor

Department for Education · Education

In brief

Department for Education awarded IT and software and marketing work to IRARA Services limited on 20 August 2026.

The notice gives a value of £12,118,000 excluding VAT.

The contract runs for 28 months, up to 40 months with extensions, starting 1 September 2026.

The buyer says it is suitable for small and medium-sized businesses.

Built from the notice's own fields. Always check the official notice before you bid.

What the notice says

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.

Who won

WinnerValueDates
IRARA Services limited
7 bids received
£4,585,304
Awarded 17 July 2026
1 September 2026 to 29 December 2028

Values as the award notice gives them, excluding VAT where stated.

Timeline

  1. Preliminary market engagement notice · UK2, notice 012713-2026
  2. Planned procurement notice · UK3, notice 034073-2026
  3. Tender notice · UK4, notice 034076-2026
  4. Tender notice · UK4, notice 034267-2026
  5. Contract award notice · UK6, notice 067725-2026
  6. Contract details notice · UK7, notice 088696-2026

About the buyer

Procurements

209

Awards

132

Suppliers it has used most for IT and software

  1. SIEM/SOAR Solution for Jisc Security Operations Centre

    JiscUK-wideIT services and software

    Closing soonLess than an hour leftExpress interest

    £9.25mestimated
  2. Google Products & Services Reseller Framework Agreement

    Digital Health & Care WalesWalesIT services and software, Telecoms and networks

    Closing soonLess than an hour leftSuitable for SMEsFramework

    £15mframework ceiling
  3. The Provision of Access to Media Monitoring Services

    Cabinet OfficeUK-wideIT services and software

    Closing soonLess than an hour leftSuitable for SMEsSmall contract

    £40kestimated
  4. King's Trust DBS and Vetting Services

    The King's TrustUK-wideFinancial services and insurance, IT services and software

    Closing soonLess than an hour leftSuitable for SMEsSmall contract

    £65kestimated
  5. Furze Down School - Managed IT Services Provision

    Furze Down SchoolUK-wideIT services and software

    Closing soonLess than an hour leftSuitable for SMEs

    £400kestimated

From notice 012713-2026 on Find a Tender, first published 12 February 2026, last updated 18 September 2026. We last checked for changes on 28 September 2026.