✓Tender information last checkedLast checked 5 Oct 2026, 14:51.
Opportunity overview
The Department for Education (DfE) is procuring a Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and Inclusion Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Framework to support the Government's investment in workforce development and SEND reform across the education sector. The Framework will establish a route to market for the development and delivery of high-quality SEND and inclusion CPD services for education professionals and support future requirements during the Framework term.
The Framework will be divided into the following Sub-Lots:
• Sub-Lot 1.1 School Teachers and Leaders (£40m)
• Sub-Lot 1.2 Further Education Teachers and Leaders (£23m)
• Sub-Lot 1.3 Teaching Assistants (£35m)
• Sub-Lot 1.4 Further Education Support Staff (£17m)
• Sub-Lot 1.5 Combined Audiences (£235m)
The Framework will support the procurement of a range of SEND and inclusion CPD services, including research, content development, quality assurance, stakeholder engagement, digital learning solutions, participant recruitment and training delivery. The Department may commission services through future competitions conducted in accordance with the Framework Agreement.
DfE is also procuring up to seven standalone contracts, each with an initial term of two years and the option to extend for up to a further two years (1+1 years), covering the following audiences:
• Lot 2: School and Further Education Teachers and Leaders – up to five contracts will be awarded under this Lot, with an estimated initial term value of £165,500,000 and an estimated maximum extension value of £346,000,000.
• Lot 3: Teaching Assistants – one contract will be awarded under this Lot, with an estimated initial term value of £35,000,000 and an estimated maximum extension value of £70,000,000.
• Lot 4: Further Education Support Staff – one contract will be awarded under this Lot, with an estimated initial term value of £6,950,000 and an estimated maximum extension value of £14,540,000.
The estimated total Framework value is £781 million (inclusive of VAT) over the maximum Framework term and includes both the initial requirements (estimated at £430,540,000) and any future opportunities awarded under the Framework (£350,000,000). This value is an estimate only and does not constitute a commitment to spend.
The contract dates in this notice relate to the Framework term. Individual contracts awarded under Lots 2-4 will be subject to their own contract terms.
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
ITT_4068
Status
active
Procurement Method
open
Procurement Method Details
Competitive flexible procedure
Main Procurement Category
services
Above Threshold
Yes
How to submit
Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted via the Department for Education eSourcing Portal Jaggaer. If you have not yet registered on the eSourcing Portal, this can be done online at https://education.app.jaggaer.com by following the link 'To register click here'.
Link to the Jaggaer opportunity is availalbe here: https://education.app.jaggaer.com/go/3138047801A0F77ADD68
Competitive flexible procedure description
The Department for Education is conducting this procurement using a Competitive Flexible Procedure pursuant to the Procurement Act 2023 and the Light Touch Regime.
This procurement will be undertaken in two stages.
__________________________________________________________________
Stage 1: Framework and Sub-Lot Appointment
Stage 1 relates to the establishment of the SEND CPD and Inclusion Framework (Lot 1) and appointment of suppliers to one or more Framework Sub-Lots.
The Framework comprises the following Sub-Lots:
• Sub-Lot 1.1 School Teachers and Leaders
• Sub-Lot 1.2 Further Education Teachers and Leaders
• Sub-Lot 1.3 Teaching Assistants
• Sub-Lot 1.4 Further Education Support Staff
• Sub-Lot 1.5 (Combined Audiences)
To be appointed to Lot 1 of the SEND and Inclusion CPD Framework, a Potential Supplier must:
a) pass the PSQ and CoP requirements;
b) meet the applicable Economic and Financial Standing requirements;
c) achieve the Minimum Threshold for all Mandatory Framework Questions (Q1-Q4);
d) achieve the Minimum Threshold for at least one Sub-Lot Question (Q7-Q10); and
e) satisfy any other mandatory requirements set out in the Procurement Documents.
Potential Suppliers will only be approved to deliver those services for which they have satisfied the applicable assessment requirements.
There is no limitation on the number of suppliers that may be appointed to the Framework and relevant Sub-Lot(s), provided they satisfy the published requirements.
__________________________________________________________________
Stage 2: Initial Contract Competitions
Following completion of Stage 1, suppliers successfully appointed to the Framework will be invited to participate in Stage 2 competitions for the Authority's initial SEND CPD requirements.
Stage 2 will comprise the following contracts:
• Lot 2: School and Further Education Teachers and Leaders
• Lot 3: Teaching Assistants
• Lot 4: Further Education Support Staff
Only suppliers awarded to the relevant Framework Sub-Lot(s) during Stage 1 will be eligible to participate in the corresponding Stage 2 competition.
Detailed Stage 2 procurement documents, specifications, award criteria and evaluation methodology will be issued only to eligible Framework suppliers at the commencement of Stage 2.
Stage 2 evaluations are expected to include:
• Verification of eligibility to bid for the relevant contract lot;
• Quality assessment;
• Commercial assessment; and
• Determination of the Most Advantageous Tender in accordance with the published criteria.
Contracts awarded under Lots 2, 3 and 4 are contracts awarded through this procurement process and are separate from future call-off competitions conducted under the Framework.
Special regime
lightTouch
Techniques
Has Framework Agreement
Yes
Framework Agreement
Method
withReopeningCompetition
Type
closed
Description
The SEND CPD and Inclusion Framework is a single framework arrangement comprising five Sub-Lots. Suppliers may apply for one or more Sub-Lots. Appointment to the Framework will occur during Stage 1 of the Competitive Flexible Procedure. The Framework will be available for future competitions undertaken by the Department for Education in accordance with the Framework Agreement and associated call-off procedures. Initial contract competitions will be undertaken through Stage 2 of this procurement.
Submission terms
Electronic Submission Policy
allowed
Languages
en
Tender Period
Ends
29 Oct 2026, 12:00
Enquiry period
Ends
19 Oct 2026, 23:59
Expected award period
Ends
31 Mar 2027, 23:59
Contract terms
Financial Terms
Payment terms as stated within the Tender documents.
Amendments
Entry 1
Description
Delivery regions has been amended to England
Department email address and enquiry date also updated
Id
093837-2026
Lots and requirements
Entry 1
Id
1
Title
School Teachers and Leaders
Description
Provision of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and inclusion continuing professional development (CPD) services for school teachers and leaders. Services may include research, design, development, quality assurance, recruitment, digital services and delivery of SEND and inclusion CPD, together with associated support services, in accordance with the Framework Specification.
Status
active
Has Renewal
Yes
Identifiers
Entry 1
Id
Sub-Lot 1.1
Value
Including VAT
40,000,000
Amount
32,000,000
Currency
GBP
Award criteria
Weighting Description
Stage 1 is threshold based.
Stage 2 procurement documents, specifications, award criteria and evaluation methodology will be issued only to eligible Framework suppliers at the commencement of Stage 2.
Criteria
Criterion 1
Type
quality
Name
Technical Envelope
Suitability
Sme
Yes
Vcse
Yes
Contract period
Starts
1 Apr 2027, 00:00
Ends
31 Mar 2031, 23:59
Max Extent Date
31 Mar 2033, 23:59
Renewal
Description
1+1 extensions available
Entry 2
Id
Sub-Lot 1.2
Title
Further Education Teachers and Leaders
Description
Provision of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and inclusion continuing professional development (CPD) services for further education teachers and leaders. Services may include research, design, development, quality assurance, recruitment, digital services and delivery of SEND and inclusion CPD, together with associated support services, in accordance with the Framework Specification.
Status
active
Has Renewal
Yes
Value
Including VAT
23,000,000
Amount
18,400,000
Currency
GBP
Award criteria
Weighting Description
Stage 1 is threshold based.
Stage 2 procurement documents, specifications, award criteria and evaluation methodology will be issued only to eligible Framework suppliers at the commencement of Stage 2.
Criteria
Criterion 1
Type
quality
Name
Technical Envelope
Suitability
Sme
Yes
Vcse
Yes
Contract period
Starts
1 Apr 2027, 00:00
Ends
31 Mar 2031, 23:59
Max Extent Date
31 Mar 2033, 23:59
Renewal
Description
1+1 extensions available
Entry 3
Id
Sub-Lot 1.3
Title
School Teaching Assistants
Description
Provision of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and inclusion continuing professional development (CPD) services for school teaching assistants. Services may include research, design, development, quality assurance, recruitment, digital services and delivery of SEND and inclusion CPD, together with associated support services, in accordance with the Framework Specification.
Status
active
Has Renewal
Yes
Value
Including VAT
35,000,000
Amount
28,000,000
Currency
GBP
Award criteria
Weighting Description
Stage 1 is threshold based.
Stage 2 procurement documents, specifications, award criteria and evaluation methodology will be issued only to eligible Framework suppliers at the commencement of Stage 2.
Criteria
Criterion 1
Type
quality
Name
Technical Envelope
Suitability
Sme
Yes
Vcse
Yes
Contract period
Starts
1 Apr 2027, 00:00
Ends
31 Mar 2031, 23:59
Max Extent Date
31 Mar 2033, 23:59
Renewal
Description
1+1 extensions available
Entry 4
Id
Sub-Lot 1.4
Title
Further Education Support Staff
Description
Provision of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and inclusion continuing professional development (CPD) services for further education support staff. Services may include research, design, development, quality assurance, recruitment, digital services and delivery of SEND and inclusion CPD, together with associated support services, in accordance with the Framework Specification.
Status
active
Has Renewal
Yes
Value
Including VAT
17,000,000
Amount
13,600,000
Currency
GBP
Award criteria
Weighting Description
Stage 1 is threshold based.
Stage 2 procurement documents, specifications, award criteria and evaluation methodology will be issued only to eligible Framework suppliers at the commencement of Stage 2.
Criteria
Criterion 1
Type
quality
Name
Technical Envelope
Suitability
Sme
Yes
Vcse
Yes
Contract period
Starts
1 Apr 2027, 00:00
Ends
31 Mar 2031, 23:59
Max Extent Date
31 Mar 2033, 23:59
Renewal
Description
1+1 extensions available
Entry 5
Id
Sub-Lot 1.5
Title
Combined Audiences
Description
Enables a single call-off for requirements spanning multiple audience groups. All Framework Suppliers appointed to Sub-Lots 1.1 to 1.4 will also be appointed to Sub-Lot 1.5.
Status
active
Has Renewal
Yes
Value
Including VAT
235,000,000
Amount
188,000,000
Currency
GBP
Award criteria
Weighting Description
Stage 1 is threshold based.
Stage 2 procurement documents, specifications, award criteria and evaluation methodology will be issued only to eligible Framework suppliers at the commencement of Stage 2.
Buyer location · London · UKI32 · SW1P3BT · United Kingdom
Delivery location · UKC · United Kingdom
Delivery location · UKD · United Kingdom
Delivery location · UKF · United Kingdom
Delivery location · UKG · United Kingdom
Delivery location · UKH · United Kingdom
Delivery location · UKJ · United Kingdom
Delivery location · UKK · United Kingdom
Notice and amendment history
6 published notice versions reviewed by ProcuraAxis.
6 VERSIONS
1
019184-2026Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender ·
2
037266-2026Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender ·
3
078693-2026Pipeline notice on Find a Tender ·
4
092751-2026Tender notice on Find a Tender ·
5
092861-2026Tender notice on Find a Tender ·
6
093837-2026Tender notice on Find a Tender ·
PROCURAAXIS ANALYSIS
ProcuraAxis Analysis
Our approved analysis of the opportunity appears below the official tender information.
ANALYSIS PREVIEW
Opportunity intelligence at a glance
DfE is seeking providers for a SEND and inclusion CPD framework covering research, content development, quality assurance, stakeholder engagement, digital learning, participant recruitment and training delivery. It includes framework sub-lots for education workforce audiences and planned standalone contracts for selected audiences.
Who this may suit
Suitable for established education and professional-development providers with SEND/inclusion expertise, digital learning, research, content development, quality assurance, recruitment and national training-delivery capability.
Key points identified
Service scopeProvide SEND and inclusion CPD services, potentially including research, design, development, quality assurance, recruitment, digital services and delivery.Evidence: Lot descriptions state: "Services may include research, design, development, quality assurance, recruitment, digital services and delivery of SEND and inclusion CPD".
Target audiencesSchool teachers and leaders; further education teachers and leaders; school teaching assistants; further education support staff; and combined audiences.Evidence: The notice lists Sub-Lots 1.1 to 1.5 for these audience groups.
Supplier selection requirementsUnknown from the supplied notice data.Evidence: No selection criteria, financial thresholds, insurance requirements or mandatory accreditations are supplied.
95% approved-analysis confidence6 supplier criteria identified3 risks or unknowns
ProcuraAxis structures information found in published procurement records, checks the result for consistency and publishes only approved analysis. Confidence describes the completeness and consistency of the available source information; it is not a guarantee of eligibility or contract award.
DfE is seeking providers for a SEND and inclusion CPD framework covering research, content development, quality assurance, stakeholder engagement, digital learning, participant recruitment and training delivery. It includes framework sub-lots for education workforce audiences and planned standalone contracts for selected audiences.
Who this may suit
Suitable for established education and professional-development providers with SEND/inclusion expertise, digital learning, research, content development, quality assurance, recruitment and national training-delivery capability.
Key deliverables
SEND and inclusion CPD research, design and content development
Quality assurance and stakeholder engagement
Digital learning solutions
Participant recruitment
Training delivery and associated support services
SUPPLIER REQUIREMENTS
6 criteria identified
Service scope
98% confidence
Provide SEND and inclusion CPD services, potentially including research, design, development, quality assurance, recruitment, digital services and delivery.
View supporting evidence
Lot descriptions state: "Services may include research, design, development, quality assurance, recruitment, digital services and delivery of SEND and inclusion CPD".
Target audiences
99% confidence
School teachers and leaders; further education teachers and leaders; school teaching assistants; further education support staff; and combined audiences.
View supporting evidence
The notice lists Sub-Lots 1.1 to 1.5 for these audience groups.
Supplier selection requirements
99% confidence
Unknown from the supplied notice data.
View supporting evidence
No selection criteria, financial thresholds, insurance requirements or mandatory accreditations are supplied.
SME suitability
100% confidence
Unknown.
View supporting evidence
suitable_for_sme is not stated in the supplied data.
VCSE suitability
100% confidence
Unknown.
View supporting evidence
suitable_for_vcse is not stated in the supplied data.
Geographic eligibility
90% confidence
Not expressly stated; delivery locations are specified across English regions.
View supporting evidence
The supplied locations identify delivery regions but do not state bidder eligibility restrictions.
COMMERCIAL AND DELIVERY
Contract intelligence
Commercial
Estimated framework value
99% confidence
£781 million inclusive of VAT over the maximum framework term; estimate only and not a commitment to spend.
View supporting evidence
"The estimated total Framework value is £781 million (inclusive of VAT)... This value is an estimate only and does not constitute a commitment to spend."
Initial and future requirement estimate
98% confidence
Initial requirements estimated at £430.54 million; future framework opportunities estimated at £350 million.
View supporting evidence
The notice states the total includes "initial requirements (estimated at £430,540,000)" and "future opportunities awarded under the Framework (£350,000,000)".
Standalone contracts
94% confidence
Up to seven standalone contracts are described under Lots 2–4, with an initial two-year term and extension options of up to a further two years (1+1 years).
View supporting evidence
"DfE is also procuring up to seven standalone contracts, each with an initial term of two years and the option to extend for up to a further two years (1+1 years)".
Call-off commitment
98% confidence
No guaranteed call-off volume or spend is stated.
View supporting evidence
The framework value is expressly described as an estimate only and not a commitment to spend.
Delivery
Delivery coverage
94% confidence
England regions listed: North East, North West, East Midlands, West Midlands, East of England, South East and South West.
View supporting evidence
Delivery locations are recorded as UKC, UKD, UKF, UKG, UKH, UKJ and UKK.
Delivery model
98% confidence
Framework route to market, with future competitions for services; Sub-Lot 1.5 enables a single call-off spanning multiple audience groups.
View supporting evidence
The notice states that services may be commissioned through future competitions and that Sub-Lot 1.5 "Enables a single call-off for requirements spanning multiple audience groups."
Framework term dates
100% confidence
Unknown from the supplied data.
View supporting evidence
The notice says its contract dates relate to the framework term, but no start or end dates are supplied.
PROCEDURE
How to respond
Procurement status
99% confidence
Open tender.
View supporting evidence
display_status is "open" and source_status is "active".
Procedure
100% confidence
Competitive flexible procedure.
View supporting evidence
procurement_method_details is "Competitive flexible procedure".
Submission deadline
100% confidence
29 October 2026, 12:00 UTC.
View supporting evidence
submission_deadline is "2026-10-29T12:00:00+00:00" and is repeated for listed framework lots.
Framework structure
98% confidence
Sub-Lots 1.1–1.4 appoint suppliers by audience; appointment to Sub-Lot 1.5 follows appointment to one of those sub-lots.
View supporting evidence
"All Framework Suppliers appointed to Sub-Lots 1.1 to 1.4 will also be appointed to Sub-Lot 1.5."
RISKS AND UNKNOWNS
Points requiring attention
No guaranteed spend
99% confidence
Framework and future opportunity values are estimates only and do not commit DfE to expenditure.
View supporting evidence
"This value is an estimate only and does not constitute a commitment to spend."
Future competition risk
99% confidence
Framework appointment does not itself assure work; DfE may commission through future competitions.
View supporting evidence
"The Department may commission services through future competitions conducted in accordance with the Framework Agreement."
Standalone contract term wording
90% confidence
The stated initial two-year term plus up to two further years is followed by "(1+1 years)", which may need clarification against the procurement documents.
View supporting evidence
"initial term of two years and the option to extend for up to a further two years (1+1 years)".
ProcuraAxis analysis supplements, but does not replace, the original notice and tender documents. Always verify eligibility, deadlines and commercial terms with the issuing authority.
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