ProcuraAxisBeta
Sign inCreate Free Account
Home / Opportunities / Opportunity
PROCUREMENT OPPORTUNITY

Non-Statutory Specialist Pre-School Provision (NSP) for Children with Complex Needs and Severe Learning Difficulties

the Education Authority · Tender notice on Find a Tender

Tender information last checkedLast checked 30 Sept 2026, 03:22.

Opportunity overview

The purpose of this Contract(s) is for the provision of Non-Statutory Specialist Pre-School Provision (NSP) for Children with Complex Needs and Severe Learning Difficulties for a period of 12 months with the option to extend for period(s) of up to and including 24 months. Value is estimated at £1,666,666 excluding VAT (£2,000,000 including VAT).

Awarded to

Amounts belong to published awards or contracts. Where several suppliers share one value, it is labelled as shared and is not a supplier-specific allocation.

Kids Together Belfast

Match pending…
Shared published award value
£1.7m
Awarded
3 Aug 2025
Suppliers
One of 5 awarded suppliers
Award ID
1
Status
active
Identifier
GB-PPON PGQL-7587-JJQH
Location
Belfast, UKN06, BT11 9JQ, United Kingdom

Royal Mencap Society (Mencap NI)

Match pending…
Shared published award value
£1.7m
Awarded
3 Aug 2025
Suppliers
One of 5 awarded suppliers
Award ID
1
Status
active
Identifier
GB-PPON PYNM-5818-WZDN
Location
Newtownbreda Belfast, UKN0E, BT8 6BT, United Kingdom

SEN Space Care and Respite Services CIC

Match pending…
Shared published award value
£1.7m
Awarded
3 Aug 2025
Suppliers
One of 5 awarded suppliers
Award ID
1
Status
active
Identifier
GB-PPON PXDG-1719-ZMZN
Location
Dunmurry Belfast, UKN06, BT17 9EJ, United Kingdom

Sensations Nest LTD

Match pending…
Shared published award value
£1.7m
Awarded
3 Aug 2025
Suppliers
One of 5 awarded suppliers
Award ID
1
Status
active
Identifier
GB-PPON PCZB-9116-PJYV
Location
Belfast, UKN0E, BT8 8AG, United Kingdom

Sólás

Match pending…
Shared published award value
£1.7m
Awarded
3 Aug 2025
Suppliers
One of 5 awarded suppliers
Award ID
1
Status
active
Identifier
GB-PPON PXLH-6963-CWXJ
Location
Belfast, UKN06, BT7 2GB, United Kingdom

Classification

  • CPV80000000 — Education and training services
  • CPV80110000 — Pre-school education services
  • CPV80490000 — Operation of an educational centre

Lots

  • Lot 1£1.7m

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
EDR-25-006
Status
complete
Above Threshold
Yes
Procurement Method
open
Main Procurement Category
services
How to submit
Tender submissions must be submitted electronically via the eTendersNI platform - https://www.etendersni.gov.uk Tenderers should review the '01 Specific Tender Instructions and Assessment Methodology' document in conjunction with the '02 Specification Schedule' document. Tenderers should also review the '05 General Instructions and the Tender Competition Rules' document.
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure

Covered By

GPA

Legal basis

Id
2023/54
Scheme
UKPGA

Expected award period

Ends
1 Aug 2025, 23:59

Tender Period

Ends
23 Jun 2025, 15:00

Enquiry period

Ends
13 Jun 2025, 15:00

Special regime

lightTouch

Submission terms

Electronic Submission Policy
allowed

Languages

en

Lots and requirements

Entry 1
Id
1
Status
complete
Has Renewal
Yes

Value

Amount
1,666,666
Currency
GBP
Including VAT
2,000,000

Renewal

Description
Any period(s) of up to and including 24 months.

Suitability

Sme
Yes
Vcse
Yes

Award criteria

Criteria

Criterion 1
Name
AC1 Key Personnel Experience
Type
quality
Description
Suppliers must provide detail on the key personnel who will be involved in the delivery of the service throughout the contract period. Suppliers must demonstrate their capacity and resources in terms of their key personnel to deliver an efficient and effective service within the requirements of the contract. Give details on: • How key personnel meet the minimum level of qualifications required as outlined in document 02 Specification Schedule. • How key personnel have accredited and non-accredited training to meet the needs of pupils with complex needs and severe learning difficulties. E.g. Augmentative Communication, Sensory Integration, Emotional Regulation, Hearing and Vision, PEG, Epilepsy Awareness, Allergy awareness, Diabetes, Oxygen, Manual Handling, Team Teach, Autism, Nurture. • How safeguarding/child protection training and policy is disseminated to key personnel within the setting. • How key personnel devise and follow risk assessments and subsequent plans appropriate to the needs of pupils with complex needs/SLD within your setting. E.g. behaviour, manual handling, medical needs etc. • Any additional training key personnel in your setting have accessed. E.g. Food hygiene, First Aid, Fire Safety, GDPR. • How key personnel engage in appropriate curriculum planning/ baselining and assessment of pupils with SEN in your setting as informed by their statement of special educational needs.

Numbers

Entry 1
Number
30
Weight
percentageExact
Criterion 2
Name
AC2 Service Delivery Plan
Type
quality
Description
Suppliers must submit a Service Delivery Plan which demonstrates how they plan to deliver an efficient and effective service within the requirements of the contract with specific reference to the following Give details on: • How classes will be staffed appropriately to meet the needs of children with SLD in Early Years. • Details of how daily, medium-term and long-term planning appropriate to Early Years will be implemented in the setting. • What adaptations will be made to the classroom environment and structures. • What additional plan/risk assessments will be put in place to meet the needs of children with SLD and complex behavioural, physical and medical needs. • An outline of a typical session within the setting appropriate to the needs of pupils with SLD in Early Years. • Provide information current and future class capacity. i.e. if your organisation plans to increase capacity by running additional sessions.

Numbers

Entry 1
Number
50
Weight
percentageExact
Criterion 3
Name
AC3 Social Value (Alternative approach)
Type
quality
Description
With reference to the Social Value Delivery Plan (Annex 6 of document 02 Specification Schedule), describe HOW you will support and ensure the delivery of: Theme 1 – SECURE EMPLOYMENT AND SKILLS Theme 4 – PROMOTING WELLBEING

Numbers

Entry 1
Number
10
Weight
percentageExact
Criterion 4
Name
AC4 Price
Type
price
Description
Suppliers must download and fully complete the document 03 Pricing Schedule. The document must then be uploaded into the financial envelope on eTendersNI.

Numbers

Entry 1
Number
10
Weight
percentageExact

Contract period

Ends
31 Aug 2026, 23:59
Starts
1 Sept 2025, 00:00
Max Extent Date
31 Aug 2028, 23:59

Selection criteria

Criteria

Criterion 1
Type
economic
Description
None.
Criterion 2
Type
technical
Description
Technical ability to perform the contract – Previous Experience

Items and delivery

Item 1
Id
1
Related Lot
1

Delivery locations

Entry 1
Region
UKN
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom

Additional Classifications

Entry 1
Id
80000000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Education and training services
Entry 2
Id
80110000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Pre-school education services
Entry 3
Id
80490000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Operation of an educational centre

Published documents

Entry 1
Id
conflictOfInterest
Description
Not published
Document Type
conflictOfInterest
Entry 2
Id
027772-2025
Format
text/html
Notice Type
UK4
Description
Tender notice on Find a Tender
Document Type
tenderNotice
Published
27 May 2025, 14:18

Planning and budget

No Engagement Notice Rationale
A Pre-Market Engagement exercise was carried in January 2025 prior to the implementation of the Procurement Act 2023. A PIN was published for this PME exercise under the FTS notice reference 2025/S 000-001740, published 17/01/2025.

Buyer, suppliers and contacts

Organisation 1
Id
GB-PPON-PPHJ-6982-JPXY
Name
the Education Authority

Roles

buyer

Address

Region
UKN06
Country
GB
Locality
Belfast
Postal Code
BT1 2NQ
Country Name
United Kingdom
Street Address
40 Academy Street

Details

Classifications

Entry 1
Id
publicAuthorityCentralGovernment
Scheme
UK_CA_TYPE
Description
Public authority - central government
Entry 2
Id
GB-NIR
Scheme
UK_CA_DEVOLVED_REGULATIONS
Description
Northern Irish devolved regulations apply

Identifier

Id
PPHJ-6982-JPXY
Scheme
GB-PPON

Contact

Organisation 2
Id
GB-PPON-PGQL-7587-JJQH
Name
Kids Together Belfast

Roles

supplier

Address

Region
UKN06
Country
GB
Locality
Belfast
Postal Code
BT11 9JQ
Country Name
United Kingdom
Street Address
134 Stewartstown Road

Details

Vcse
Yes
Scale
large
Sheltered Workshop
No
Public Service Mission Organization
No

Identifier

Id
PGQL-7587-JJQH
Scheme
GB-PPON

Contact

Organisation 3
Id
GB-PPON-PXLH-6963-CWXJ
Name
Sólás

Roles

supplier

Address

Region
UKN06
Country
GB
Locality
Belfast
Postal Code
BT7 2GB
Country Name
United Kingdom
Street Address
Parkmore Building 284A Ormeau Road

Details

Vcse
Yes
Scale
large
Sheltered Workshop
No
Public Service Mission Organization
No

Identifier

Id
PXLH-6963-CWXJ
Scheme
GB-PPON

Contact

Organisation 4
Id
GB-PPON-PCZB-9116-PJYV
Name
Sensations Nest LTD

Roles

supplier

Address

Region
UKN0E
Country
GB
Locality
Belfast
Postal Code
BT8 8AG
Country Name
United Kingdom
Street Address
1 Clontonacally Road

Details

Vcse
Yes
Scale
large
Sheltered Workshop
No
Public Service Mission Organization
No

Identifier

Id
PCZB-9116-PJYV
Scheme
GB-PPON

Contact

Organisation 5
Id
GB-PPON-PYNM-5818-WZDN
Name
Royal Mencap Society (Mencap NI)

Roles

supplier

Address

Region
UKN0E
Country
GB
Locality
Newtownbreda Belfast
Postal Code
BT8 6BT
Country Name
United Kingdom
Street Address
5 School Road

Details

Vcse
Yes
Scale
large
Sheltered Workshop
No
Public Service Mission Organization
No

Identifier

Id
PYNM-5818-WZDN
Scheme
GB-PPON

Contact

Organisation 6
Id
GB-PPON-PXDG-1719-ZMZN
Name
SEN Space Care and Respite Services CIC

Roles

supplier

Address

Region
UKN06
Country
GB
Locality
Dunmurry Belfast
Postal Code
BT17 9EJ
Country Name
United Kingdom
Street Address
4 Thornhill Road

Details

Vcse
Yes
Scale
large
Sheltered Workshop
No
Public Service Mission Organization
No

Identifier

Id
PXDG-1719-ZMZN
Scheme
GB-PPON

Contact

Award information

Award 1
Id
1
Date
4 Aug 2025, 00:00
Title
Non-Statutory Specialist Pre-School Provision (NSP) for Children with Complex Needs and Severe Learning Difficulties
Status
active
Has Options
Yes
Has Renewal
Yes
Above Threshold
Yes
Main Procurement Category
services
Assessment Summaries Date Sent
4 Aug 2025, 00:00

Items

Item 1
Id
1
Related Lot
1

Delivery locations

Entry 1
Region
UKN
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom
Entry 2
Region
UKN
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom

Additional Classifications

Entry 1
Id
80110000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Pre-school education services
Entry 2
Id
80490000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Operation of an educational centre

Value

Amount
1,666,666
Currency
GBP
Including VAT
2,000,000

Options

Description
The right to additional purchases while the contract is operational is valid. Optional additional purchases may be made under this contract, subject to the availability of budget and provided such purchases are consistent with the scope and intended purpose of the contract, and represent value for money in line with procurement regulations.

Renewal

Description
Option to extend for any periods up to and including 24 months. Prior to entering into any extension to this contract the Education Authority will assess the following: - The availability of adequate funding for the service. - Changes/increase in need in relation to the service and scope of the existing contract. - If the contract is continuing to deliver value for money.

Documents

Entry 1
Id
045804-2025
Format
text/html
Notice Type
UK6
Description
Contract award notice on Find a Tender
Document Type
awardNotice
Published
4 Aug 2025, 17:04

Suppliers

Supplier 1
Id
GB-PPON-PGQL-7587-JJQH
Name
Kids Together Belfast
Supplier 2
Id
GB-PPON-PXLH-6963-CWXJ
Name
Sólás
Supplier 3
Id
GB-PPON-PCZB-9116-PJYV
Name
Sensations Nest LTD
Supplier 4
Id
GB-PPON-PYNM-5818-WZDN
Name
Royal Mencap Society (Mencap NI)
Supplier 5
Id
GB-PPON-PXDG-1719-ZMZN
Name
SEN Space Care and Respite Services CIC

Milestones

Entry 1
Id
1
Type
futureSignatureDate
Status
scheduled
Due
15 Aug 2025, 23:59

Related lots

1

Contract period

Ends
31 Aug 2026, 23:59
Starts
1 Sept 2025, 00:00
Max Extent Date
31 Aug 2028, 23:59

Standstill Period

Ends
14 Aug 2025, 23:59

Contracts and changes

Entry 1
Id
1
Title
Non-Statutory Specialist Pre-School Provision (NSP) for Children with Complex Needs and Severe Learning Difficulties
Status
active
Award ID
1
Date Signed
15 Aug 2025, 00:00
Has Options
Yes
Has Renewal
Yes
Above Threshold
Yes

Value

Amount
1,666,666
Currency
GBP
Including VAT
2,000,000

Period

Ends
31 Aug 2026, 23:59
Starts
1 Sept 2025, 00:00
Max Extent Date
31 Aug 2028, 23:59

Options

Description
The contract includes optional provisions that allow the supplier to make additional purchases, provided these are consistent with the scope of requirements outlined in the agreement. The EA will consider the efficient use of its resources to enable a placement to be secured. This will include the provision of any additional resources that may be required to support a particular setting or in the transport resource required to enable a child/ to attend a particular setting. There may be a requirement to procure equipment specific to a pupil's individual special educational needs to enable them to access the Northern Ireland Curriculum appropriate to their age, aptitude, and ability.

Renewal

Description
Extensions are available for any period(s) up to and including 24 months. Prior to offering any extension to this contract the Buyer will assess the following: • The availability of adequate funding for the service. • Changes/increase in need in relation to the service and scope of the existing contract. • If the contract is continuing to deliver value for money.

Documents

Entry 1
Id
057940-2025
Format
text/html
Notice Type
UK7
Description
Contract details notice on Find a Tender
Document Type
contractNotice
Published
19 Sept 2025, 08:33

Recorded locations

  • Buyer location · Belfast · UKN06 · BT1 2NQ · United Kingdom
  • Delivery location · UKN · United Kingdom

Notice and amendment history

1 published notice version reviewed by ProcuraAxis.

1 VERSION
  1. ocds-h6vhtk-05271b-2025-09-19T08:33:36+01:00Tender notice on Find a Tender ·