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PROCUREMENT OPPORTUNITY

WSCC Independent Alternative Provision (IAP) Open Framework

West Sussex County Council · Tender notice on Find a Tender

Tender information last checkedLast checked 25 Sept 2026, 07:31.

Opportunity overview

The Authority is committed to ensuring access to high-quality education for all Learners, in line with statutory duties under the Education Act. To achieve this, we commission Independent Alternative Provision (IAP) to complement mainstream education, provide short-term interventions, and deliver Education Other Than At School (EOTAS) packages where appropriate. This Framework will operate in addition to the Authority’s commissioned placements at the Ofsted-regulated West Sussex Alternative Provision College (APC), which offers full-time education. The Framework aims to secure safe, high-quality Alternative Provision that: acts as an intervention, not a destination; supports timely reintegration and/or transition of Learners into long-term education, training, or employment; and meets the individual needs of Learners, particularly Learners with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) with a particular demand on provisions supporting Learners with Social Emotional Mental Health (SEMH) and Autism. For Clarity the Framework is due to run from September 1st 2026 for an initial period of two years. Bidders can apply from September 1st 2026 until the end of the framework. Please disregard dates of award and submission deadline below. The Framework has been updated to align with the Non-School Alternative Provision Voluntary National Standards (August 2025), ensuring Suppliers meet nationally recognized benchmarks for quality and safeguarding. Structure of the Framework This opportunity does not include separate Lots. Suppliers may apply for one or more Tiers and can request to add additional Tiers at any point during the Framework term. Tier 1: Provision commissioned by schools for Learners at risk of placement breakdown (e.g., short-term intervention to maintain engagement). Tier 2: Transitional placements commissioned by the Authority while seeking a permanent education setting. Tier 3: Provision commissioned by the Authority for Learners with an agreed EOTAS package. Tier 4: Specialist targeted support commissioned by the Authority for Learners supported by a multi-disciplinary team. The Tender Document pack , including full details of the services required, can be viewed via the Authority’s e-tendering Portal. https://atamis-7669.my.site.com/s/Welcome

Classification

  • CPV80000000 — Education and training services

Lots

  • Lot 1£224.6m

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
C24913
Status
active
Procurement Method
open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Main Procurement Category
services
Above Threshold
Yes

Legal basis

Id
2023/54
Scheme
UKPGA

Special regime

lightTouch

Techniques

Has Framework Agreement
Yes

Framework Agreement

Is Open Framework Scheme
Yes
Method
withAndWithoutReopeningCompetition
Type
open
Buyer Categories
Schools
Description
Light Touch Regime Open Framework permanently open with quarterly evaluations.
Open Framework Scheme End Date
31 Aug 2034, 23:59

Buyer Location Restrictions

Entry 1

Gazetteer

Scheme
GB-ITL

Identifiers

UKJ2

Submission terms

Electronic Submission Policy
allowed

Languages

en

Tender Period

Ends
1 Oct 2026, 12:00

Enquiry period

Ends
1 Oct 2026, 12:00

Expected award period

Ends
1 Oct 2026, 23:59

Contract terms

Financial Terms
30 Days

Lots and requirements

Entry 1
Id
1
Status
active
Has Renewal
Yes
Has Options
Yes

Value

Including VAT
224,595,000
Amount
224,595,000
Currency
GBP

Award criteria

Criteria

Criterion 1
Type
quality
Name
Quality

Numbers

Entry 1
Number
100
Weight
percentageExact

Suitability

Sme
Yes
Vcse
Yes

Contract period

Starts
1 Oct 2026, 00:00
Ends
31 Aug 2028, 23:59
Max Extent Date
31 Aug 2034, 23:59

Renewal

Description
Initial term of two years with the option to extend in increments of up to two years. Maximum term of eight years.

Options

Description
The right to add additional tiers while the contract is valid.

Items and delivery

Item 1
Id
1
Related Lot
1

Additional Classifications

Entry 1
Scheme
CPV
Id
80000000
Description
Education and training services

Delivery locations

Entry 1
Region
UKJ2
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom

Published documents

Entry 1
Id
conflictOfInterest
Document Type
conflictOfInterest
Entry 2
Id
082798-2026
Document Type
tenderNotice
Notice Type
UK4
Description
Tender notice on Find a Tender
Published
1 Sept 2026, 15:57
Format
text/html

Planning and budget

No Engagement Notice Rationale
N/A

Buyer, suppliers and contacts

Organisation 1
Name
West Sussex County Council
Id
GB-PPON-PXJW-5627-QRQR

Identifier

Scheme
GB-PPON
Id
PXJW-5627-QRQR

Address

Street Address
County Hall
Locality
Chichester
Postal Code
PO19 1RG
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom
Region
UKJ27

Contact

Name
Joshua Stewart

Roles

buyer

Details

Classifications

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

Recorded locations

  • Buyer location · Chichester · UKJ27 · PO19 1RG · United Kingdom
  • Delivery location · UKJ2 · United Kingdom

Notice and amendment history

1 published notice version reviewed by ProcuraAxis.

1 VERSION
  1. 082798-2026Tender notice on Find a Tender ·