Scope
Reference
project_9917
Description
This prior information notice is to notify suppliers of an upcoming market engagement related to a planned DfE Property Flood Resilience procurement.
The Schools Water Strategy is an "invest to save" strategy aimed at reducing the risk of flooding in schools. This planned procurement is to enable the expansion of the current Property Flood Resilience (PFR) installations across the school estate, specifically targeting members of the Risk Protection Arrangement (RPA) for schools in high-risk flood areas and schools that have suffered repeated flooding disruption.
These works are anticipated to include design and build requirements of grey, green (nature-based) and blue property flood resilience solutions, with installation expected to be predominantly aligned to the school summer holiday period, subject to school access arrangements and the nature of the works.
The Department for Education's SWS Team is seeking further engagement with suppliers in the specialist PFR and construction design and build markets related to the planned PFR procurement.
The DfE will be hosting an online market engagement session on 4th February 2026 -10:00-11:00 to share further details on the scope of works and seek feedback on the DfE's approach.
Please see the additional information for details on how to register your interest in attending the market engagement.
Total value (estimated)
- £57,000,000 excluding VAT
- £68,400,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 September 2026 to 31 March 2030
- Possible extension to 31 March 2032
- 5 years, 7 months
Main procurement category
Works
CPV classifications
- 45246400 - Flood-prevention works
- 44212382 - Floodgates
- 71242000 - Project and design preparation, estimation of costs
- 44112000 - Miscellaneous building structures
- 45214200 - Construction work for school buildings
- 71356000 - Technical services
- 45240000 - Construction work for water projects
Contract locations
- UK - United Kingdom
Engagement
Engagement deadline
30 January 2026
Engagement process description
If you are interested in attending this market engagement event, please register your interest via Jaggaer by 15:00 on 30th January 2026.
Please register for Jaggaer using the URL link below: https://education.app.jaggaer.com/web/login.html
Once registered, the supplier event area can be accessed by clicking "View Opportunities" on the main page.
Confidentiality Notice and Acknowledgement Protocol
By registering for this market engagement event, you acknowledge that the information shared through this market engagement is provided in confidence and must not be disclosed outside your organisation. Please ensure all attendees from your organisation are aware of and comply with this requirement.
Following registration, you will receive a message via the Jaggaer portal asking you to confirm this acknowledgement. You must respond in confirmation to this message before an event invite will be issued.
Participants who have registered an expression of interest will receive a link to join the session via Microsoft Teams.
If you do not receive the invite at least 24hrs before the event, please also email SWS.COMMERCIAL@education.gov.uk to ensure you receive joining instructions in time.
The event will help attendees to:
• Gain a better understanding of deliverables and assurance requirements
• Gain a better understanding of Cabinet Office requirements around Modern Slavery and the planned Social Value criteria
• Gain a better understanding of fee mechanisms and expectations around delivery timelines
• Feed back around the feasibility of the requirements
• Discuss constraints and pressures that may impact supply chain capacity or capability to deliver the PFR requirements
We would like to invite organisations who have experience in delivering PFR within schools including grey, green and blue solutions to mitigate all types of flood risk, as well as those with experience in:
• Design and Optioneering of flood resilience solutions
• Construction and Installation of Property Flood Resilience Measures
• Project Management of construction projects
We are aiming to develop the PFR market and are actively encouraging engagement from SME organisations either directly or through subcontracting arrangements as part of the procurement process.
The final scope of the DfE's requirements have not yet been confirmed. If any procurement activity does arise, the requirements will be refined pending the results of market research. If you have any questions about suitability for the event, please contact SWS.COMMERCIAL@education.gov.uk
This PIN is for information only and is not a call for competition. This PIN is intended to inform the market of a potential procurement exercise to appoint suppliers to work with the Department on providing the outlined service. The Department reserves the right not to enter a formal procurement process and not proceed with contract award. Accordingly, the Department will not be liable for any bid cost, expenditure, work, or effort incurred by any organisation in acting on the basis of this Prior Information Notice. All information included in this notice is indicative and subject to change and is neither exhaustive nor binding. The authority reserves the right at its absolute discretion to amend it at the time of issue of any further notices or at any other time.
Participation
Particular suitability
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
Submission
Publication date of tender notice (estimated)
27 February 2026
Contracting authority
Department for Education
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PDZG-3487-DPVD
Sanctuary Buildings, 20 Great Smith Street
London
SW1P3BT
United Kingdom
Region: UKI32 - Westminster
Organisation type: Public authority - central government