UGAP Secures €211.7 Million Framework for Vocational Training Services

A multi-lot framework agreement for vocational training services worth up to €211.7 million has been awarded by the Union des Groupements d'Achats Publics (UGAP). The contract, spanning five lots with multiple winners including CEGOS, Bureau Veritas, GoFluent, and Cilevel Partners, demonstrates how France's central purchasing body is supporting public sector workforce development through structured, competitive procurement of training services.

Introduction

Every public sector employee in France requires ongoing professional development to maintain and enhance their skills. From generalist training and IT courses to health and safety compliance, language learning, and digital learning, vocational training is essential for a skilled and effective public workforce. UGAP, France's central public purchasing body, has taken a significant step to ensure these services are available by awarding a new multi-lot framework agreement for vocational training services.

While not a headline-grabbing infrastructure deal, this contract is fundamental to ensuring that France's public sector workforce has access to high-quality, cost-effective training. It reveals a great deal about how French public procurement supports workforce development through structured framework agreements.

Why This Contract Matters

UGAP (Union des Groupements d'Achats Publics) is France's central public purchasing body, serving a wide range of public sector organisations including central government, local authorities, hospitals, and public institutions. By aggregating demand, UGAP achieves better pricing and service levels than individual organisations could secure alone.

This framework agreement covers five distinct training categories, providing public sector organisations with access to pre-qualified training providers across a comprehensive range of professional development needs. The framework structure streamlines procurement, reduces administrative burden, and ensures consistency in training quality.

Contract Timeline

• Previous notice referenced: 667850-2025
• Contract award notice published: 30 July 2026 (OJ S 145/2026)
• Contracts concluded: 30 June 2026

Contract Overview

UGAP conducted an open procedure for the provision of vocational training services and associated services. The contract is divided into five lots:

• Lot 1 – Generalist and IT Training (off-the-shelf): Generalist and IT training courses with associated services (estimated value: €180,000,000).
• Lot 2 – Health and Safety at Work Training (off-the-shelf): Health and safety at work training with associated services (estimated value: €13,500,000).
• Lot 3 – Distance Foreign Language and French as a Foreign Language (FLE) Training: Distance language training with associated services (estimated value: €4,200,000).
• Lot 4 – Custom Digital Learning Training: Bespoke digital learning training with associated services (estimated value: €9,000,000).
• Lot 5 – Specialised Training and Professional Training Solutions Integrator: Specialist training and training solution integration with associated services (estimated value: €5,000,000).

The total maximum value of the framework is €211,700,000. The framework is a multi-supplier framework with reopening of competition for individual call-offs. Each lot has two winners (Rank 1 and Rank 2), with the exception that each lot has two winners. The framework includes a renewal option.

Key Contract Details

Detail	Information
Contracting Authority	Union des Groupements d'Achats Publics (UGAP)
Contract Subject	Vocational training services (CPV 80530000)
Procedure Type	Open procedure
Legal Basis	Directive 2014/24/EU
Total Maximum Framework Value	€211,700,000.00
Number of Lots	5
Winners per Lot	2 (Rank 1 and Rank 2)
Award Criteria	Service Quality (30%), Technical Value (30%), Sustainable Development Performance (10%), Price (30%)
EU Funding	None disclosed
Covered by GPA	Yes
Review Organisation	Tribunal administratif de Melun

Lots and Winners

Lot	Description	Rank 1 Winner	Rank 2 Winner	Max Value (€)	Bids Received
LOT-0001	Generalist and IT Training (off-the-shelf)	CEGOS	M2i FORMATION (with CFPJ, EFE FORMATION, ISM, PYRAMYD NTCV, YESNYOU, ACP FORMATION)	180,000,000	3
LOT-0002	Health and Safety at Work Training	BUREAU VERITAS EXPLOITATION (with AFTRAL)	APAVE EXPLOITATION France	13,500,000	2
LOT-0003	Distance Foreign Language and FLE Training	GOFLUENT	KERN Training	4,200,000	11
LOT-0004	Custom Digital Learning Training	CILEVEL PARTNERS (with INEAD, M2I Formation)	AVENIR CONSEIL	9,000,000	10
LOT-0005	Specialised Training and Training Solutions Integrator	GROUPE CIMES	PRO CONDUITE	5,000,000	2

About the Contracting Authority

Union des Groupements d'Achats Publics (UGAP) is France's central public purchasing body, a public undertaking controlled by a central government authority. UGAP serves a wide range of public sector organisations, including central government, local authorities, hospitals, and public institutions. By aggregating demand, UGAP achieves better pricing and service levels than individual organisations could secure alone. UGAP's mission is to support the public sector in achieving efficient, cost-effective procurement across a wide range of categories, including training services.

About the Winning Companies

CEGOS is a large French training and consulting company, part of the international Cegos Group, one of Europe's leading providers of professional training and development solutions. Cegos offers a comprehensive range of training programmes across management, IT, and professional skills.

M2i FORMATION is a French training company with a consortium of co-contractors including CFPJ, EFE FORMATION, PEDAGOGIE DU MANAGEMENT (ISM), PYRAMYD NTCV, YESNYOU, and ACP FORMATION. This consortium combines expertise across multiple training domains.

BUREAU VERITAS EXPLOITATION is a large French company, part of the global Bureau Veritas Group, specialising in testing, inspection, and certification, including health and safety training. The company operates with co-contractor AFTRAL, a specialist in transport and logistics training.

APAVE EXPLOITATION France is a large French company specialising in health, safety, and environmental risk management, offering comprehensive training services in workplace safety.

GOFLUENT is a French SME specialising in language training, providing digital and distance learning solutions for foreign languages and French as a Foreign Language (FLE).

KERN Training is a large French training company specialising in language and professional development training.

CILEVEL PARTNERS is a large French company, operating with co-contractors INEAD (digital learning specialists) and M2I Formation, specialising in custom digital learning solutions.

AVENIR CONSEIL is a large French consulting and training company, specialising in professional development and digital learning solutions.

GROUPE CIMES is a large French training and consulting group, specialising in professional training and training solution integration.

PRO CONDUITE is a French SME specialising in specialised training and professional development solutions.

Procurement Analysis

Procedure: An open procedure was used, following the French Public Procurement Code. Bids received ranged from 2 to 11 per lot, indicating varying levels of competition across different training categories.

Competition: Lot 3 (language training) received the most bids (11), reflecting a highly competitive market for language training services. Lot 1 (generalist/IT) received 3 bids, Lot 2 (health and safety) received 2 bids, Lot 4 (digital learning) received 10 bids, and Lot 5 (specialist/integrator) received 2 bids.

Award Criteria:

• Service Quality (30%): The quality of service delivery.
• Technical Value (30%): The technical quality and relevance of the proposed training solutions.
• Sustainable Development Performance (10%): Environmental and social sustainability considerations.
• Price (30%): The cost of the training services.

Quality Emphasis: The 70% combined weighting for quality criteria (service quality, technical value, and sustainable development) reflects the importance of training quality, pedagogical effectiveness, and sustainability in public sector workforce development. Price, while important, is not the dominant factor.

Framework Structure: The agreement is a multi-supplier framework with reopening of competition for individual call-offs. Each lot has two winners (Rank 1 and Rank 2), ensuring competition for individual training assignments while providing a pool of pre-qualified suppliers.

Strategic Procurement: The contract includes strategic procurement objectives focused on reducing environmental impacts and promoting social objectives, reflecting UGAP's commitment to sustainable procurement.

GPA Status: The procurement is covered by the World Trade Organization's Government Procurement Agreement (GPA), meaning it was, in principle, open to qualifying international bidders. However, all winning bidders were French companies.

Additional Procurement Facts

• The framework covers five training categories with two winners per lot.
• The contract includes a renewal option.
• Bids received ranged from 2 to 11 per lot.
• All winning bidders are French companies.
• No subcontracting was used by any of the winning bidders.
• No EU funding was used for this procurement.
• Disputes or review requests fall to the Tribunal administratif de Melun.

Market & Industry Perspective

The French vocational training market is large and competitive, with numerous providers offering services across a wide range of categories. The UGAP framework demonstrates how public sector organisations can leverage central purchasing to access high-quality training services at competitive prices.

The 70% weighting for quality criteria (service quality, technical value, and sustainable development) reflects the importance of training effectiveness and pedagogical quality in public sector workforce development. Public sector organisations invest in training to improve employee skills and performance, making quality a critical factor.

The two-winner per lot structure ensures competition for individual training assignments while providing a pool of pre-qualified suppliers. This approach balances the benefits of framework agreements (streamlined procurement, pre-qualified suppliers) with the benefits of competition for individual assignments.

Economic Significance

At up to €211.7 million, this framework agreement represents a significant investment in public sector workforce development. The contract ensures that public sector organisations across France have access to high-quality, cost-effective training services across a comprehensive range of categories.

For the winning training providers, the framework provides a stable, multi-year revenue stream and the opportunity to serve a broad range of public sector clients.

Future Procurement Opportunities

This framework agreement covers vocational training services through the contract period. Related procurement opportunities may include:

• Specialist training programmes for specific sectors
• Training consultancy and needs analysis
• Training facility and equipment provision
• E-learning platform and content development

Opportunities for Suppliers

Training providers active in the French public sector should note the emphasis on quality (70% combined weighting) over price (30%) in this framework. Suppliers must demonstrate strong pedagogical quality, technical expertise, and sustainability credentials to compete successfully.

Key success factors include: proven training expertise, high-quality pedagogical methods, technical innovation, sustainability credentials, and competitive pricing.

What Businesses Should Watch

• Individual call-offs under this framework from UGAP member organisations.
• Similar training frameworks from other French public purchasing bodies.
• The evolution of training requirements and pedagogical methods.
• Opportunities for subcontracting or partnership with the framework winners.

FranceTender Procurement Intelligence

This contract is a significant case study in how France's central purchasing body supports public sector workforce development through structured framework agreements. UGAP has secured a €211.7 million framework for vocational training services, with multiple winners across five lots selected through a quality-focused open procedure.

The most notable feature of this tender is the 70% weighting for quality criteria (service quality, technical value, and sustainable development). This reflects the importance of training effectiveness and pedagogical quality in public sector workforce development. Price, while important at 30%, is not the dominant factor, recognising that the value of high-quality training far exceeds the cost savings of lower-priced alternatives.

The two-winner per lot structure provides a balanced approach to framework agreements. Individual training assignments are awarded through mini-competitions between the two winners, ensuring price competition while maintaining a pool of pre-qualified, high-quality suppliers.

The variation in competition across lots (2 to 11 bids) reflects the different market dynamics for different training categories. Language training (Lot 3) attracted the most bids, while health and safety (Lot 2) and specialist/integrator (Lot 5) attracted fewer bids, reflecting the more specialised nature of these markets.

For suppliers, the lesson is that quality, pedagogical expertise, and sustainability credentials are critical success factors in public sector training procurement. Companies that can demonstrate these capabilities are well-positioned for these frameworks, even if they are not the lowest-cost bidders.

Supplier Takeaways

• Quality is the dominant factor (70% combined weighting).
• Service quality (30%) and technical value (30%) are equally important.
• Sustainable development performance (10%) is increasingly valued.
• Price (30%) is important but secondary to quality.
• Two-winner per lot structure provides ongoing opportunities.
• Competition levels vary by training category (2-11 bids).

Key Takeaways

• UGAP awarded a €211.7 million framework for vocational training services across five lots.
• Major winners include CEGOS, Bureau Veritas, GoFluent, and Cilevel Partners.
• Award criteria: Service Quality (30%), Technical Value (30%), Sustainable Development (10%), Price (30%).
• Bids received ranged from 2 to 11 per lot.
• The framework supports public sector workforce development across France.
• All winning bidders are French companies.

Conclusion

This is not a contract that will make national headlines, but it reflects something structurally important about how France supports public sector workforce development through strategic procurement. By awarding a €211.7 million framework for vocational training services across five lots, UGAP ensures that public sector organisations across France have access to high-quality, cost-effective training. The contract demonstrates the importance of quality, pedagogical expertise, and sustainability in training procurement, and the value of structured framework agreements in supporting workforce development.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is UGAP?

It is France's central public purchasing body (Union des Groupements d'Achats Publics), serving public sector organisations including central government, local authorities, and hospitals.

Q: What does this framework cover?

It covers vocational training services across five categories: generalist/IT, health and safety, foreign languages, digital learning, and specialist/integrator services.

Q: How many lots are there?

Five lots, each with two winners (Rank 1 and Rank 2).

Q: What is the value of this framework?

The total maximum value is €211.7 million.

Q: Is this contract funded by the EU?

No. The notice confirms the project is not financed with EU funds, though it is governed by EU Directive 2014/24/EU.

Source: EU Official Journal, Contract Award Notice 527028-2026, OJ S 145/2026, published 29 July 2026.