Scope
Description
The Department for Education (the department) are looking for a provider to scope, test and begin delivering a support offer (Centre of Excellence) to help local authorities (LAs) improve their data and digital maturity with respect to children's social care (CSC) services.
The incoming government has prioritised 'Multi Agency Information Sharing' (MAIS)as a key focus in their manifesto. To help ready the sector for MAIS technical solutions and get the foundations of data and digital knowledge and confident leadership across all LAs in place, the department will provide a support offer to help LAs improve their data and digital maturity with respect to CSC services. This includes the sector's ability to secure, use and share data; and to deliver user-centred case management systems (CMS).
The department wants to understand what and how support could be offered for maximum impact, and to begin delivering the support offer. To deliver this work, it is recognised that the successful bidder will need to work closely with the department and those working in data and digital roles related to CSC in LAs.
The supplier will:
• work with the department and LAs to co-develop a vision and action plans for a data and digitally mature sector
• provide expertise on CSC data and digital, including hands-on support with specific LAs
• help LAs optimise how they customise and procure their digital CMS
• develop tools and resources that meet the needs of users
• plan research to provide a more detailed picture of CSC data quality, identifying where to focus improvements
• facilitate knowledge sharing, innovation, and collaboration between LAs, to share guidance, best practice and ideas - creating spaces where LAs can learn from each other both about what works and what does not, and how to utilise future technologies
• plan help with career and skills development to grow capability and capacity - training programmes and guidance that support continuous professional development, upskilling (including potentially around the use of AI), and those joining the profession; with shorter data/digital skills training/courses as well as longer ones (e.g. apprenticeships) to make building a data or digital career within LAs more achievable and attractive
A Prior Information Notice for this procurement was published in February 2025 under PCR15. The links to these notices can be found here:
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/003474-2025
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/fd848d6e-7db7-4312-9121-fb26dce7be2d
Total value (estimated)
- £833,333.33 excluding VAT
- £1,000,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 August 2025 to 28 June 2026
- Possible extension to 30 September 2026
- 1 year, 1 month, 30 days
Description of possible extension:
This contract includes and optional 3 month extension. This is at the authority's descretion.
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 80000000 - Education and training services
Contract locations
- UK - United Kingdom
Participation
Legal and financial capacity conditions of participation
All listed in the tender documents
Technical ability conditions of participation
All listed in the tender documents
Particular suitability
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Submission
Enquiry deadline
24 June 2025, 12:00pm
Tender submission deadline
30 June 2025, 9:00am
Submission address and any special instructions
All tenders must be submitted via Jaggaer above. Interested bidders can create an account if they don't already have one.
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
14 July 2025
Award criteria
| Name | Description | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technical Criteria | Technical Criteria including Social Value (10%) |
Quality | 70% |
| Price Criteria | Price Criteria. Tender docs contain how this will be evaluated and scored. |
Price | 30% |
Other information
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Contracting authority
Department for Education
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PDZG-3487-DPVD
Sanctuary Buildings, 20 Great Smith Street
London
SW1P3BT
United Kingdom
Contact name: Emilie Wilkinson
Region: UKI32 - Westminster
Organisation type: Public authority - central government