Contract

Specialist Education Framework Phase 1 – Independent Non-Maintained Special Schools Lots 1 and 2

  • Nottinghamshire County Council

F03: Contract award notice

Notice identifier: 2025/S 000-000901

Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-041a55

Published 10 January 2025, 3:57pm



Section one: Contracting authority

one.1) Name and addresses

Nottinghamshire County Council

County Hall, Loughborough Road Westbridgford

Nottinghamshire

NG2 7QP

Contact

Mrs Katie Greenhalgh

Email

katie.greenhalgh@nottscc.gov.uk

Telephone

+44 1159774761

Country

United Kingdom

Region code

UKF15 - North Nottinghamshire

Internet address(es)

Main address

http://www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk

Buyer's address

http://www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk

one.4) Type of the contracting authority

Regional or local authority

one.5) Main activity

General public services


Section two: Object

two.1) Scope of the procurement

two.1.1) Title

Specialist Education Framework Phase 1 – Independent Non-Maintained Special Schools Lots 1 and 2

Reference number

DN694393

two.1.2) Main CPV code

  • 80000000 - Education and training services

two.1.3) Type of contract

Services

two.1.4) Short description

This is a new competitive procurement using a open procedure conducted in accordance

with the light touch regime of the Public Procurement 2015 Regulations.

Nottinghamshire County Council (‘the Council’) are running an open tender process to

establish a new framework under which the Council are looking to commission Independent

non-maintained special schools (INMSS) and Post-16 (where the provision is delivered in

house by the school) for the provision of specialist school placements for pupils who are not

attending mainstream or maintained schools and who have an Education Health Care (EHC)

Plan.

The establishment of a framework agreement for INMSS is the first phase of the

recommissioning of the Specialist Education provision for the Council as set out in the Vision

document. Ultimately the framework will be extended to include Alternative Education

Provision and Post-16 institutions (e.g., further education colleges that are not part of the

INMSS), that will be the second/third phases of the recommissioning project and new

procurement processes will be run at later dates which are yet to be decided.

The new framework will replace the current Independent / non-maintained special schools

Approved Provider List for Nottinghamshire (NAPL).

two.1.6) Information about lots

This contract is divided into lots: Yes

two.1.7) Total value of the procurement (excluding VAT)

Value excluding VAT: £250,000,000

two.2) Description

two.2.1) Title

Independent Non-Maintained Special School Block Arrangement

Lot No

1

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 80000000 - Education and training services

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UKF15 - North Nottinghamshire
  • UKF16 - South Nottinghamshire

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

Nottinghamshire County Council (NCC) 'the Council' ran an open tender process in accordance with the light touch regime of the Public Procurement regulations 2015 to establish a new framework for Specialist Education.

Under this lot the Council is looking to commission block contracts, known as “call-offs” from the Framework Agreement in each of the Nottinghamshire districts. The Block contracts will start from the beginning of the new school academic year commencing from September 2024. Note due to the limited number of bids the start date of the framework was put back to the 1st January 2025 and the commencement date of block contracts would be from the 1st January 2025.

Schools could bid to operate in an area. The areas known as districts/boroughs are as follows:

Sub Lot Area

A Ashfield

B Bassetlaw

C Broxtowe

D Gedling

E Mansfield

F Newark and Sherwood

G Rushcliffe

The scope and nature of the services required by the Council are set out in more detail in the

Specification. The service is required across the whole of Nottinghamshire County

(excluding Nottingham City).

The term of the framework agreement will be for a period of 5 years and will commence from 01 January 2025 to the 31 December 2029. The earliest date “call-off” contracts can commence under Lot 1 is the 1st of January 2025.

There is potential to extend this Framework Agreement for up to a further 6 years in increments of 24 months

The tender was published on https://www.eastmidstenders.org/: Reference DN694393

two.2.5) Award criteria

Quality criterion - Name: Service Delivery / Weighting: 30

Quality criterion - Name: Resilient Workforce / Weighting: 10

Quality criterion - Name: Service Improvement / Weighting: 10

Quality criterion - Name: Physical and Sensory Environment / Weighting: 10

Quality criterion - Name: Preparing for Adulthood and Transitions / Weighting: 10

Quality criterion - Name: Social Value / Weighting: 10

Quality criterion - Name: Implementation / Weighting: 10

Quality criterion - Name: Changes in Provision / Weighting: 10

Cost criterion - Name: Contact Hours / Weighting: 50

Cost criterion - Name: Direct Staff Ratio / Weighting: 50

two.2.11) Information about options

Options: Yes

Description of options

There are three optional extensions to the framework agreement each of 24 months, a total of 6 years.

two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds

The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No

two.2.14) Additional information

There are three optional extensions to the framework agreement each of 24 months, a total of 6 years.

The procurement involves the establishment of a framework agreement

In the case of framework agreements, provide justification for any duration exceeding 4 years:

The initial term of the framework agreement is for five years and will end on the 31st December 2029. There is potential to extend this Framework Agreement for up to a further six years in increments of twenty four months. This process is a competitive procurement conducted in accordance with the Light Touch Regime Regulations 74 to 77 of the Public Procurement Regulations 2015, the subject matter is Specialist Education for children and young people with special education needs who have an Education Health Care Plan and the extended duration of the Framework Agreement is justified due to the type of service being sourced and the nature of the market. This is to ensure continuity in the provision of specialist education school places for the children and young people and to minimise disruption to the children and young people.

two.2) Description

two.2.1) Title

Approved INMSS Provider List

Lot No

2

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 80000000 - Education and training services

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UKF15 - North Nottinghamshire
  • UKF16 - South Nottinghamshire

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

Nottinghamshire County Council (NCC) 'the Council' is running an open tender process in accordance with the light touch regime of the Public Procurement regulations 2015 to establish a new framework for Specialist Education.

This lot will see the establishment of a new approved INMSS provider list for placements that replaces the current Independent / non-maintained special schools Approved Provider List for Nottinghamshire (NAPL). This provider list will be effective from the 1st of January 2025 ** from which placements can be commissioned. **Note due to the limited number of bids the start date of the framework was put back to the 1st January 2025 from the 1st April 2024

Bidders that are successful in demonstrating that they are able to meet the Council’ standards, as set out in the service specification, will be added to the Approved INMSS Provider List and will be subsequently invited to offer places that match the needs of the children and young people.

Full details of the provision required are detailed in the service specification.

The term of the framework agreement will be for a period of 5 years and will commence from 01 January 2025 to the 31 December 2029. There is potential to extend this Framework Agreement for up to a further 6 years in increments of 24 months

The tender was published on https://www.eastmidstenders.org/ Reference DN694393

two.2.5) Award criteria

Quality criterion - Name: Service Delivery / Weighting: 30

Quality criterion - Name: Resilient Workforce / Weighting: 10

Quality criterion - Name: Service Improvement / Weighting: 10

Quality criterion - Name: Physical and Sensory Environment / Weighting: 10

Quality criterion - Name: Preparing for Adulthood and Transitions / Weighting: 10

Quality criterion - Name: Social Value / Weighting: 10

Quality criterion - Name: Response to referrals / Weighting: 20

Price - Weighting: 0

two.2.11) Information about options

Options: Yes

Description of options

There are three optional extensions to the framework agreement each of 24 months, a total of 6 years.

two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds

The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No

two.2.14) Additional information

There are three optional extensions to the framework agreement each of 24 months, a total of 6 years.

The procurement involves the establishment of a framework agreement

In the case of framework agreements, provide justification for any duration exceeding 4 years:

The initial term of the framework agreement is for five years and will end on the 31st December 2029. There is potential to extend this Framework Agreement for up to a further six years in increments of twenty four months. This process is a competitive procurement conducted in accordance with the Light Touch Regime Regulations 74 to 77 of the Public Procurement Regulations 2015, the subject matter is Specialist Education for children and young people with special education needs who have an Education Health Care Plan and the extended duration of the Framework Agreement is justified due to the type of service being sourced and the nature of the market. This is to ensure continuity in the provision of specialist education school places for the children and young people and to minimise disruption to the children and young people.


Section four. Procedure

four.1) Description

four.1.1) Type of procedure

Open procedure

four.1.3) Information about a framework agreement or a dynamic purchasing system

The procurement involves the establishment of a framework agreement

four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)

The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: No

four.2) Administrative information

four.2.1) Previous publication concerning this procedure

Notice number: 2023/S 000-033893


Section five. Award of contract

Contract No

DN694393

Lot No

1

Title

Independent Non-Maintained Special School Block Arrangement

A contract/lot is awarded: No

five.1) Information on non-award

The contract/lot is not awarded

No tenders or requests to participate were received or all were rejected


Section five. Award of contract

Contract No

DN694393

Lot No

2

Title

Approved INMSS Provider List

A contract/lot is awarded: Yes

five.2) Award of contract

five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract

23 February 2024

five.2.2) Information about tenders

Number of tenders received: 10

Number of tenders received from SMEs: 6

Number of tenders received from tenderers from other EU Member States: 0

Number of tenders received from tenderers from non-EU Member States: 0

Number of tenders received by electronic means: 10

The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

Acorn Education and Care Services Ltd

ATRIA, SPA ROAD

BOLTON

BL1 4AG

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UKD36 - Greater Manchester North West
Internet address

https://www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/

The contractor is an SME

No

five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)

Initial estimated total value of the contract/lot: £134,500,000

Total value of the contract/lot: £134,500,000


Section five. Award of contract

Contract No

DN694393

Lot No

2

Title

Approved INMSS Provider List

A contract/lot is awarded: Yes

five.2) Award of contract

five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract

23 February 2024

five.2.2) Information about tenders

Number of tenders received: 10

Number of tenders received from SMEs: 6

Number of tenders received from tenderers from other EU Member States: 0

Number of tenders received from tenderers from non-EU Member States: 0

Number of tenders received by electronic means: 10

The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

Dove Adolescent Services Ltd.

Malvern View, Saxon Business Park, Hanbury Road, Stoke Prior

Bromsgrove

B60 4AD

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UKG12 - Worcestershire
Internet address

https://www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/

The contractor is an SME

Yes

five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)

Initial estimated total value of the contract/lot: £134,500,000

Total value of the contract/lot: £134,500,000


Section five. Award of contract

Contract No

DN694393

Lot No

2

Title

Approved INMSS Provider List

A contract/lot is awarded: Yes

five.2) Award of contract

five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract

23 February 2024

five.2.2) Information about tenders

Number of tenders received: 10

Number of tenders received from SMEs: 6

Number of tenders received from tenderers from other EU Member States: 0

Number of tenders received from tenderers from non-EU Member States: 0

Number of tenders received by electronic means: 10

The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

The Place Young People's Company Limited

2 Lymevale Court Lyme Drive, Parklands

Stoke on Trent

ST4 6NW

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UKG23 - Stoke-on-Trent
Internet address

https://www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/

The contractor is an SME

No

five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)

Total value of the contract/lot: £134,500,000


Section five. Award of contract

Contract No

DN694393

Lot No

2

Title

Approved INMSS Provider List

A contract/lot is awarded: Yes

five.2) Award of contract

five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract

23 February 2024

five.2.2) Information about tenders

Number of tenders received: 10

Number of tenders received from SMEs: 6

Number of tenders received from tenderers from other EU Member States: 0

Number of tenders received from tenderers from non-EU Member States: 0

Number of tenders received by electronic means: 10

The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

Options Autism Services Ltd

Atria, Spa Road

Bolton

BL1 4AG

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UKD3 - Greater Manchester
Internet address

https://www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/

The contractor is an SME

No

five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)

Initial estimated total value of the contract/lot: £134,500,000

Total value of the contract/lot: £134,500,000


Section five. Award of contract

Contract No

DN694393

Lot No

2

Title

Approved INMSS Provider List

A contract/lot is awarded: Yes

five.2) Award of contract

five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract

23 February 2024

five.2.2) Information about tenders

Number of tenders received: 10

Number of tenders received from SMEs: 6

Number of tenders received from tenderers from other EU Member States: 0

Number of tenders received from tenderers from non-EU Member States: 0

Number of tenders received by electronic means: 10

The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

Pollyteach Limited

Rear of 18-20 Diamond Avenue,

Kirkby in Ashfield

NG17 7GR

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UKF15 - North Nottinghamshire
Internet address

https://www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/

The contractor is an SME

No

five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)

Initial estimated total value of the contract/lot: £134,500,000

Total value of the contract/lot: £134,500,000


Section five. Award of contract

Contract No

DN694393

Lot No

2

Title

Approved INMSS Provider List

A contract/lot is awarded: Yes

five.2) Award of contract

five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract

23 February 2024

five.2.2) Information about tenders

Number of tenders received: 10

Number of tenders received from SMEs: 6

Number of tenders received from tenderers from other EU Member States: 0

Number of tenders received from tenderers from non-EU Member States: 0

Number of tenders received by electronic means: 10

The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

R.E.A.L. Education Ltd

1 Kings Mill Way

Mansfield

NG18 5ER

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UKF15 - North Nottinghamshire
Internet address

https://www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/

The contractor is an SME

Yes

five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)

Initial estimated total value of the contract/lot: £134,500,000

Total value of the contract/lot: £134,500,000


Section six. Complementary information

six.4) Procedures for review

six.4.1) Review body

The Royal Courts of Justice

The Strand

London

Country

United Kingdom