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PROCUREMENT OPPORTUNITY

Open Light Touch Framework for Independent and Alternative Education Support for Children and Young People in Devon

Devon County Council · Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender

Tender information last checkedLast checked 29 Sept 2026, 22:33.

Opportunity overview

Devon County Council will be setting up an open framework for Independent and Alternative Education Support for Children and Young People in Devon. The framework will comprise the following Lots: Lot 1a - Pre-16 Education Placements for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) with independent schools, independent special schools or non-maintained special schools. Lot 1b - Post-16 Education Placements for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) with independent post-16 settings and independent special post-16 settings schools and colleges. Lot 2a - Bespoke packages of Alternative Education Provision support which form part of an educated other than at school (EOTAS) which has been named within a child or young person's statutory Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). Lot 2b - Bespoke packages of Alternative Education Provision support to enable children and young people to reintegrate to their school or move onto another education setting.

Classification

  • CPV80000000 — Education and training services
  • CPV85000000 — Health and social work services

Lots

  • Pre-16 Education Placements£357.1m
  • Post-16 Education Placements£163.4m
  • Alternative Education Provision (EOTAS)£59.2m
  • Alternative Education Provision (Reintegration)£34.3m

Documents and notices

Published notice details

Additional information from the published procurement release. Fields appear only when supplied by the source; check the original notice and tender documents before acting.

Scope, procedure and submissions

Id
CP2491-24
Status
active
Has Recurrence
Yes
Above Threshold
Yes
Procurement Method
open
Main Procurement Category
services
How to submit
Submissions must be made via the Supplying the South West tendering portal. https://www.supplyingthesouthwest.org.uk/ Further information regarding submissions can be viewed in Section 5 (Submission Instructions) of the Invitation to Tender (ITT) document.
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure

Covered By

GPA

Legal basis

Id
2023/54
Scheme
UKPGA

Recurrence

Dates

Entry 1
Starts
1 Sept 2026, 23:59

Techniques

Has Framework Agreement
Yes

Framework Agreement

Type
closed
Method
withAndWithoutReopeningCompetition
Description
An 'open framework' is a scheme of successive frameworks awarded on substantially the same terms. New providers can Bid and be added each time the framework is reopened. The existing framework ends and a new framework begins after each reopening process. In compliance with Section 49 of the Act an Open Framework must re-open at least once during the first three (3) years and then at least once during the following five (5) year period. Each time a Framework is reopened for Bids, this will be known as an Entry Point. The Framework Agreements entered into after each Entry Point will be known by the successive Framework number. e.g. the initial Framework linked to Entry Point 1 will be known as Framework One, the subsequent Framework linked to Entry Point 2 will be known as Framework Two and so on. After this Entry Point it is anticipated that there will be one (1) Entry Point in each of the following years as from 2025 for the duration of the Open Framework. However, the Authority reserves the right to have more Entry Points at its discretion. A Tender Notice will be published on the Platform each time the Framework is re-opened. Existing Providers who were previously appointed onto one or more Lot(s) of the Open Framework will automatically be appointed onto the subsequent Framework(s) and will not need to take any action in response to the re-opening of the Framework unless: - they choose to submit a new Bid in response to an Entry Point, or - they request in writing that the Authority does not appoint them onto one or more Lot(s) of the new Framework following the re-opening of an Entry Point Bidders who are successful in a bid will be appointed onto the open framework by entering into a Framework Agreement, with Devon County Council (DCC) Placements and packages of work under any of the Lots will then be awarded via a mini competition process or a direct award. A full explanation of the processes can be found within the Framework Agreement, Note that DCC cannot give any guarantee of business or of the actual value of any Contracts awarded under the Framework. Usage and values of Contracts may be affected by the implementation of Local Government Reorganisation (LGR). Further information on LGR can be found in the ITT document. Bidders are required to complete a pricing schedule for the Lot(s) they are bidding for, The prices submitted will not be evaluated, however they will be used at call-off Contract stage where costs submitted cannot exceed those stated in the relevant Lot Pricing Schedule (taking into account any agreed fee increase as per the Fee and Inflationary Uplift Protocol). This Protocol can be viewed in Appendix 9 of the Invitation to Tender (ITT) document.
Is Open Framework Scheme
Yes
Open Framework Scheme End Date
10 Dec 2033, 23:59

Expected award period

Ends
29 Jan 2026, 23:59

Tender Period

Ends
19 Dec 2025, 12:00

Communication

Future Notice Date
3 Jun 2025, 00:59

Enquiry period

Ends
12 Dec 2025, 12:00

Special regime

lightTouch

Submission terms

Electronic Submission Policy
allowed

Languages

en

Lots and requirements

Entry 1
Id
1
Title
Pre-16 Education Placements
Status
active
Has Renewal
Yes
Description
Pre-16 Education Placements for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) with independent schools, independent special schools or non-maintained special schools.

Value

Amount
357,063,000
Currency
GBP
Including VAT
428,475,600

Identifiers

Entry 1
Id
1a

Suitability

Sme
Yes
Vcse
Yes

Award criteria

Criteria

Criterion 1
Name
Quality
Type
quality

Numbers

Entry 1
Number
100
Weight
percentageExact

Contract period

Ends
7 Dec 2026, 23:59
Starts
19 Feb 2026, 00:00
Max Extent Date
29 Jan 2034, 23:59
Entry 2
Id
1b
Title
Post-16 Education Placements
Status
active
Description
Post-16 Education Placements for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) with independent post-16 settings and independent special post-16 settings schools and colleges.

Value

Amount
163,437,000
Currency
GBP
Including VAT
192,124,400

Suitability

Sme
Yes

Award criteria

Criteria

Criterion 1
Name
Quality
Type
quality

Numbers

Entry 1
Number
100
Weight
percentageExact

Contract period

Ends
7 Dec 2026, 23:59
Starts
19 Feb 2026, 00:00
Entry 3
Id
2a
Title
Alternative Education Provision (EOTAS)
Status
active
Description
Bespoke packages of Alternative Education Provision support which form part of an educated other than at school (EOTAS) which has been named within a child or young person's statutory Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).

Value

Amount
59,179,170
Currency
GBP
Including VAT
71,015,004

Suitability

Sme
Yes

Award criteria

Criteria

Criterion 1
Name
Quality
Type
quality

Numbers

Entry 1
Number
100
Weight
percentageExact

Contract period

Ends
7 Dec 2026, 23:59
Starts
19 Feb 2026, 00:00
Entry 4
Id
2b
Title
Alternative Education Provision (Reintegration)
Status
active
Description
Bespoke packages of Alternative Education Provision support to enable children and young people to reintegrate to their school or move onto another education setting.

Value

Amount
34,310,830
Currency
GBP
Including VAT
41,172,996

Suitability

Sme
Yes

Award criteria

Criteria

Criterion 1
Name
Quality
Type
quality

Numbers

Entry 1
Number
100
Weight
percentageExact

Contract period

Ends
7 Dec 2026, 23:59
Starts
19 Feb 2026, 00:00

Items and delivery

Item 1
Id
1
Related Lot
1

Delivery locations

Entry 1
Region
UKK
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom
Entry 2
Region
UKK
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom
Entry 3
Region
UKK
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom

Additional Classifications

Entry 1
Id
80000000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Education and training services
Entry 2
Id
85000000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Health and social work services
Item 2
Id
1b
Related Lot
1b

Delivery locations

Entry 1
Region
UKK
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom

Additional Classifications

Entry 1
Id
80000000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Education and training services
Entry 2
Id
85000000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Health and social work services
Item 3
Id
2a
Related Lot
2a

Delivery locations

Entry 1
Region
UKK
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom

Additional Classifications

Entry 1
Id
80000000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Education and training services
Entry 2
Id
85000000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Health and social work services
Item 4
Id
2b
Related Lot
2b

Delivery locations

Entry 1
Region
UKK
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom

Additional Classifications

Entry 1
Id
80000000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Education and training services
Entry 2
Id
85000000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Health and social work services

Published documents

Entry 1
Id
conflictOfInterest
Description
Not published
Document Type
conflictOfInterest
Entry 2
Id
066261-2025
Format
text/html
Notice Type
UK4
Description
Tender notice on Find a Tender
Document Type
tenderNotice
Published
17 Oct 2025, 12:02

Planning and budget

Documents

Entry 1
Id
008285-2025
Format
text/html
Notice Type
UK2
Description
Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
Document Type
marketEngagementNotice
Published
7 Mar 2025, 07:20
Entry 2
Id
034658-2025
Format
text/html
Notice Type
UK2
Description
Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
Document Type
marketEngagementNotice
Published
24 Jun 2025, 11:25

Milestones

Entry 1
Id
engagement
Type
engagement
Status
scheduled
Due
3 Jul 2025, 23:59
Description
Devon County Council would like to invite providers to attend upcoming online events via Microsoft Teams on Thursday 3rd July 2025. There will be two events with the purpose of both events being: - To provide an update on the current position and timeline for the tender process - To share outcomes of our engagement and how this has helped us shape the future approach - To discuss our Information Security Questionnaire with the market Event 1 - The future commissioning of bespoke education placements within the independent sector for children and young people with Education, Health and Care Plans, with Devon County Council. To be held on Thursday 3rd July 2025 from 11am to 1pm This event is intended for the the following settings (including Section 41 approved and non-Section 41 approved providers): - Independent schools - Independent special schools - Non maintained special schools - Special independent post-16 provision Event 2 - The future commissioning of alternative education provision services with Devon County Council. To be held on Thursday 3rd July 2025 from 1.30pm to 3.30pm This event is intended for providers who are currently delivering or who are intending to deliver alternative education support services to children and young people in Devon for the Council. To book for either event please complete the following Microsoft Forms booking form https://forms.office.com/e/CCr6fSS4kZ. You will then be sent a booking confirmation email with links and any other information you may need. Please note these events are not for discussion of any current operational issues or queries that providers may have, These queries should be directed to the applicable team member with Devon County Council Operations.

Buyer, suppliers and contacts

Organisation 1
Id
GB-PPON-PJRC-4623-RJBH
Name
Devon County Council

Roles

buyer

Address

Region
UKK43
Country
GB
Locality
Exeter,
Postal Code
EX2 4QD
Country Name
United Kingdom
Street Address
County Hall, Topsham Road,

Details

Classifications

Entry 1
Id
publicAuthoritySubCentralGovernment
Scheme
UK_CA_TYPE
Description
Public authority - sub-central government

Identifier

Id
PJRC-4623-RJBH
Scheme
GB-PPON

Contact

Name
Miss Louise Baker
Telephone
+44 1392383000

Recorded locations

  • Buyer location · Exeter, · UKK43 · EX2 4QD · United Kingdom
  • Delivery location · UKK · United Kingdom

Notice and amendment history

1 published notice version reviewed by ProcuraAxis.

1 VERSION
  1. ocds-h6vhtk-04ea53-2025-10-17T12:02:06+01:00Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender ·