Denmark Awards DKK 80 Million Training Framework to Multiple Suppliers

The joint procurement body IFIRS has awarded a DKK 80 million framework agreement for continuing education and training services targeting the employment sector. The framework, divided into five sub-agreements covering leadership, communication, administration, IT, and production, has been awarded to multiple suppliers including ITUCATION SMBA, Talentmatch Rekruttering, and Wattar Gruppen Kognitivt Psykologcenter A/S.

Introduction

Continuing education and training are essential for maintaining a skilled workforce and supporting employment. In Denmark, the joint procurement body IFIRS has awarded a significant framework agreement on behalf of Erhvervsakademi Dania (Business Academy Dania) to provide training services targeting the employment sector.

The framework, valued at up to DKK 100 million (with DKK 80 million awarded), is divided into five sub-agreements covering key subject areas: leadership and sustainability, communication and sales, administration and finance, IT and digitalisation, and production and technical subjects. Multiple suppliers have been appointed to each sub-agreement, ensuring choice and flexibility for the end users.

This procurement demonstrates how public sector education providers are leveraging collaborative procurement to secure high-quality training services for unemployed individuals seeking to upskill through the "6-week self-selected education" programme.

Why This Contract Matters

Continuing education plays a vital role in helping unemployed individuals return to the workforce. The "6-week self-selected education" programme allows jobseekers to choose courses that enhance their skills and employability. This framework ensures that high-quality training is available across multiple subject areas.

This contract matters because it:

• Supports employment: Provides training for unemployed individuals to improve their job prospects
• Ensures quality: Quality criteria account for 85% of the evaluation, prioritising training excellence
• Offers flexibility: Multiple suppliers per sub-agreement provide choice and competition
• Covers diverse subjects: Five sub-agreements cover leadership, communication, administration, IT, and production
• Long-term stability: Four-year framework provides continuity for both buyers and suppliers

Contract Timeline

• Contract award notice published: 5 August 2026 (OJ S 149/2026)
• Previous notice referenced: 9597af82-6211-478f-b1a4-7760e16ce23b-01
• Winner chosen: 29 June 2026
• Contract concluded: 10 July 2026
• Coverage start date: Not specified (48-month duration from conclusion)
• Coverage end date: Approximately July 2030

Contract Overview

IFIRS (Indkøbsfællesskabet IFIRS), a joint procurement body, conducted this procurement on behalf of Erhvervsakademi Dania (Business Academy Dania). The framework is divided into five sub-agreements (delaftaler), each covering a specific subject area.

Key features of the framework include:

• Five sub-agreements: Leadership & Sustainability; Communication, Sales & Customer Experiences; Administration & Finance; IT & Digitalisation; Production & Technical Subjects
• Multiple suppliers: Each sub-agreement has 1-4 appointed suppliers
• Duration: 48 months (4 years)
• Evaluation: Quality (85%) heavily weighted over Price (15%)
• Framework type: Without reopening of competition
• Value: DKK 80 million awarded (up to DKK 100 million maximum)

Key Contract Details

Detail	Information
Contracting authority	Indkøbsfællesskabet IFIRS
End user	Erhvervsakademi Dania (Business Academy Dania)
Contract subject	Continuing education and training services (CPV 79400000, 80000000, 80500000)
Procedure type	Open procedure (offentligt udbud)
Legal basis	EU Directive 2014/24/EU
Total maximum value (DKK)	DKK 100,000,000.00
Total awarded value (DKK)	DKK 80,000,000.00 (approximate)
Framework duration	48 Months (4 years)
Number of sub-agreements	5
Total suppliers appointed	5 unique suppliers (some appointed to multiple lots)
EU funding	None
Covered by GPA	No
Winner chosen	29 June 2026
Contract signed	10 July 2026
Evaluation criteria	Quality (85%) : Price (15%)

Project Scope

The framework covers continuing education and training activities targeting the employment sector. The training is designed for unemployed individuals participating in the "6-week self-selected education" programme, with courses at 5 and 10 ECTS level.

Sub-Agreement 1: Leadership, Organisation & Sustainability

• Subjects: Academy Education in Leadership; Academy Education in Sustainability and Green Transition
• ECTS level: 5 and 10 ECTS courses
• Maximum value: DKK 15,000,000
• Awarded value: DKK 12,000,000
• Winners (3): Wattar Gruppen Kognitivt Psykologcenter A/S, ITUCATION SMBA, Talentmatch Rekruttering
• Bids received: 4

Sub-Agreement 2: Communication, Sales & Customer Experiences

• Subjects: Academy Education in Communication; Sales & Marketing; Retail; Service & Experiences
• ECTS level: 5 and 10 ECTS courses
• Maximum value: DKK 21,000,000
• Awarded value: DKK 17,000,000
• Winners (4): ITUCATION SMBA, BIGUM&CO LEARNING ApS, VP-Momentum ApS, Talentmatch Rekruttering
• Bids received: 6

Sub-Agreement 3: Administration & Finance

• Subjects: Academy Education in Public Administration; Financial Advice; Economics & Resource Management
• ECTS level: 5 and 10 ECTS courses
• Maximum value: DKK 10,000,000
• Awarded value: DKK 8,000,000
• Winners (2): Wattar Gruppen Kognitivt Psykologcenter A/S, ITUCATION SMBA
• Bids received: 3

Sub-Agreement 4: IT & Digitalisation

• Subjects: Academy Education in Information Technology
• ECTS level: 5 and 10 ECTS courses
• Maximum value: DKK 49,000,000
• Awarded value: DKK 39,000,000
• Winners (3): ITUCATION SMBA, BIGUM&CO LEARNING ApS, Talentmatch Rekruttering
• Bids received: 5

Sub-Agreement 5: Production & Technical Subjects

• Subjects: Academy Education in Innovation, Product & Production
• ECTS level: 5 and 10 ECTS courses
• Maximum value: DKK 5,000,000
• Awarded value: DKK 4,000,000
• Winners (1): ITUCATION SMBA
• Bids received: 2

About the Contracting Authority

Indkøbsfællesskabet IFIRS is a Danish joint procurement body (indkøbsfællesskab) that coordinates public procurement on behalf of its members. IFIRS leverages collective buying power to secure cost-effective contracts for education and training services. The organisation is a body governed by public law.

Erhvervsakademi Dania (Business Academy Dania) is the end user of the framework. It is a Danish business academy providing higher education programmes, including academy education (akademiuddannelser) in various fields. The academy serves students across multiple campuses in Denmark.

About the Winning Companies

ITUCATION SMBA (Winner of all 5 sub-agreements)

ITUCATION SMBA is a medium-sized Danish training provider based in Copenhagen. The company specialises in IT and digitalisation training, but has demonstrated capabilities across leadership, communication, administration, and production subjects. Winning all five sub-agreements, ITUCATION is the dominant supplier on this framework, with a combined value of approximately DKK 40-50 million across all lots.

Talentmatch Rekruttering (Winner of 3 sub-agreements: 1, 2 & 4)

Talentmatch Rekruttering is a medium-sized Danish company based in Ry, specialising in recruitment and training services. The company has been appointed to provide training in leadership, communication, and IT subjects, demonstrating its versatility across multiple disciplines.

Wattar Gruppen Kognitivt Psykologcenter A/S (Winner of 2 sub-agreements: 1 & 3)

Wattar Gruppen is a medium-sized Danish company based in Copenhagen, specialising in cognitive psychology and leadership development. The company has been appointed to provide training in leadership and administration subjects, aligning with its expertise in organisational psychology and management.

BIGUM&CO LEARNING ApS (Winner of 2 sub-agreements: 2 & 4)

BIGUM&CO LEARNING ApS is a medium-sized Danish training provider based in Copenhagen, specialising in communication, sales, and IT training. The company has been appointed to provide training in communication and IT subjects.

VP-Momentum ApS (Winner of 1 sub-agreement: 2)

VP-Momentum ApS is a medium-sized Danish company based in Nykøbing M, specialising in communication and sales training. The company has been appointed to provide training in communication, sales, and customer experiences.

Procurement Analysis

• Procedure: An open procedure (offentligt udbud) was used, allowing any interested economic operator to submit a tender. This is standard for Danish public procurements.
• Competition: Competition varied by lot, with 2-6 bids received per sub-agreement. Lot 2 (Communication) attracted the most bids (6), while Lot 5 (Production) attracted the fewest (2).
• Evaluation criteria: Quality (85%) was heavily weighted over Price (15%). This reflects the buyer's priority on training quality, pedagogical excellence, and outcomes over cost.
• Framework structure: Framework agreements without reopening of competition. Each sub-agreement has multiple suppliers (1-4 per lot), allowing the end user to select from a pre-qualified panel.
• Supplier concentration: ITUCATION SMBA won all five sub-agreements, demonstrating strong capabilities across all subject areas. This level of concentration may raise questions about market diversity but also reflects the supplier's broad expertise.
• Geographic scope: Østjylland (East Jutland) region, where Erhvervsakademi Dania is based, though services may be delivered across Denmark.

Additional Procurement Facts

• The procurement is not covered by the WTO Government Procurement Agreement (GPA).
• No EU funds were used for this procurement.
• The procurement was not accelerated.
• No dynamic purchasing system was used.
• Framework agreements without reopening of competition were used.
• Each sub-agreement was awarded separately to multiple suppliers.
• All winning suppliers are medium-sized Danish companies.
• No subcontracting was declared by any winner.
• Disputes or review requests fall to Klagenævnet for Udbud (Danish Complaints Board for Procurement).
• The tender references a previous notice (9597af82-6211-478f-b1a4-7760e16ce23b-01).

Market & Industry Perspective

The Danish market for continuing education and training services is competitive, with a mix of large training providers, specialised consultancies, and smaller niche players. This procurement attracted between 2-6 bidders per lot, indicating healthy but concentrated competition.

The heavy weighting of quality (85%) over price (15%) is notable and reflects a mature procurement approach. For education and training services, quality—measured by pedagogical effectiveness, trainer qualifications, and learning outcomes—is rightly prioritised over cost. This approach ensures that unemployed individuals receive training that genuinely improves their employability.

The dominance of ITUCATION SMBA across all five lots suggests that the company has established a strong reputation and capabilities across multiple subject areas. However, the appointment of multiple suppliers per lot (except Lot 5) provides choice and maintains competition throughout the framework period.

The framework covers the "6-week self-selected education" programme, which is a key policy initiative in Denmark's employment system. This programme allows unemployed individuals to choose training that matches their career goals, supported by public funding.

Looking ahead, demand for continuing education and training is likely to grow as the labour market evolves and reskilling becomes increasingly important. Suppliers who can demonstrate high-quality pedagogy, flexible delivery models, and strong outcomes will be well-positioned for future tenders.

Economic Significance

At DKK 80 million awarded (up to DKK 100 million maximum), this framework represents a significant investment in continuing education and training for unemployed individuals in Denmark. The training directly supports employment outcomes, helping individuals return to work and contributing to the broader economy.

For the winning suppliers, the framework provides stable, multi-year revenue streams. ITUCATION SMBA, as the dominant winner across all lots, secures a substantial portion of the DKK 80 million, reinforcing its position in the Danish training market.

For Erhvervsakademi Dania and the employment sector, the framework ensures access to high-quality training providers across key subject areas, supporting the academy's mission of delivering education that meets labour market needs.

Future Procurement Opportunities

With the framework now in place through 2030, future opportunities include:

• Contract extensions: The framework may be extended beyond the initial 48 months
• New subject areas: Future frameworks may cover additional subject areas as labour market needs evolve
• Similar procurements: Other Danish business academies and educational institutions may conduct similar tenders
• Green transition training: Growing demand for sustainability and green skills training
• Digital skills: Continued demand for IT and digitalisation training

Opportunities for Suppliers

While this framework is now awarded, future opportunities exist for suppliers:

• Subcontracting: Suppliers not on the framework may find subcontracting opportunities with the winning suppliers
• Similar procurements: Other Danish business academies and training institutions may conduct comparable tenders
• New subject areas: Emerging fields such as green skills, AI, and digital transformation may create new opportunities
• Quality focus: Suppliers should invest in pedagogical excellence, trainer qualifications, and measurable outcomes
• Flexible delivery: Online and blended learning models are increasingly valued by buyers

What Businesses Should Watch

• Future tenders from IFIRS and other Danish joint procurement bodies
• Procurement notices from Erhvervsakademi Dania and other business academies
• Changes to Danish employment policy affecting the "6-week self-selected education" programme
• Emerging demand for green skills and sustainability training
• Digitalisation of training delivery and the adoption of online learning platforms

DenmarkTender Procurement Intelligence

This framework agreement is a sophisticated example of public procurement for education and training services. Several features stand out:

• Quality dominance: With quality weighting 85% and price only 15%, the buyer has clearly prioritised training excellence and outcomes. This is appropriate for education services, where quality directly affects learner outcomes and employability.
• Multi-supplier model: By appointing multiple suppliers per sub-agreement (except Lot 5), the buyer ensures ongoing competition and choice. This model also reduces dependency risk.
• Subject segmentation: The division into five distinct subject areas allows suppliers to bid for their areas of expertise, while ensuring that all key subject areas are covered.
• Strategic focus: The framework directly supports employment policy objectives, demonstrating how procurement can be used as a strategic tool to achieve social and economic goals.

The dominance of ITUCATION SMBA across all lots is noteworthy. While this may reflect the company's strong capabilities, it also raises questions about market concentration. The buyer may wish to monitor whether this concentration affects competition or service quality over the framework period.

For suppliers, the lesson is clear: in education and training procurement, quality, pedagogical effectiveness, and outcomes matter more than price. Suppliers should invest in demonstrating their quality credentials, trainer expertise, and track record of successful outcomes.

Supplier Takeaways

• Quality is paramount—invest in pedagogical excellence and measurable outcomes
• Price is secondary (15% weighting), but still matters
• Demonstrate trainer qualifications and expertise
• Show evidence of successful training outcomes and employability improvements
• Consider flexible delivery models (online, blended, in-person)
• Monitor IFIRS and other joint procurement bodies for future opportunities
• Develop capabilities across multiple subject areas to compete for broader frameworks
• Build relationships with business academies and educational institutions

Key Takeaways

• IFIRS awarded a DKK 80 million training framework on behalf of Erhvervsakademi Dania
• 5 sub-agreements covering leadership, communication, administration, IT, and production
• 5 suppliers appointed: ITUCATION SMBA (all lots), Talentmatch Rekruttering (3 lots), Wattar Gruppen (2 lots), BIGUM&CO LEARNING (2 lots), VP-Momentum ApS (1 lot)
• Quality weighted 85%, Price 15%
• Framework duration: 48 months (through approximately 2030)
• Total bids received: 2-6 per lot
• Supports "6-week self-selected education" programme for unemployed individuals
• No EU funding; not covered by GPA
• ITUCATION SMBA emerged as the dominant winner across all five sub-agreements

Conclusion

This framework agreement represents a significant investment in continuing education and training for unemployed individuals in Denmark. By prioritising quality over price and appointing multiple suppliers per sub-agreement, IFIRS has ensured that Erhvervsakademi Dania and its students have access to high-quality training across key subject areas.

The dominance of ITUCATION SMBA across all five lots reflects the company's strong capabilities and market position, while the appointment of additional suppliers in most lots ensures choice and competition. For the winning suppliers, the framework provides stable, multi-year revenue and reinforces their positions in the Danish training market.

As the labour market continues to evolve, demand for continuing education and training will remain strong. Suppliers who can demonstrate pedagogical excellence, flexible delivery, and positive learner outcomes will be well-positioned for future opportunities in this sector.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is IFIRS?

Ans: Indkøbsfællesskabet IFIRS is a Danish joint procurement body that coordinates public procurement on behalf of its members, including educational institutions.

Q: What does the framework cover?

Ans: Continuing education and training services targeting the employment sector, covering leadership, communication, administration, IT, and production subjects.

Q: What is the "6-week self-selected education" programme?

Ans: A Danish employment policy initiative that allows unemployed individuals to choose up to 6 weeks of training to improve their skills and employability.

Q: Who are the winners?

Ans: ITUCATION SMBA (all lots), Talentmatch Rekruttering (3 lots), Wattar Gruppen Kognitivt Psykologcenter A/S (2 lots), BIGUM&CO LEARNING ApS (2 lots), VP-Momentum ApS (1 lot).

Q: What was the award value?

Ans: Approximately DKK 80,000,000 (maximum DKK 100,000,000).

Q: How were suppliers evaluated?

Ans: Quality (85%) and Price (15%).

Q: How long is the framework?

Ans: 48 months (4 years).

Q: Is this contract funded by the EU?

Ans: No, the procurement is not financed with EU funds.

Q: What is Erhvervsakademi Dania?

Ans: Business Academy Dania, a Danish business academy providing higher education programmes including academy education (akademiuddannelser).

Source: EU Official Journal, Contract Award Notice 541021-2026, OJ S 149/2026, published 5 August 2026.