Scope
Description
The Department for Education (DfE) seeks a single supplier to support and maintain the transition of the T Level Ambassador Network (TAN) from a single tier national network to a national network with a regional substructure. This will be a contract for an initial 2 years with the possibility to extend for a further 1 year.
TAN currently comprises over 900 volunteer ambassadors from employers, providers, students, and other stakeholders who promote T Levels.
The purpose of the contracted service is to enhance the impact and reach of the TAN by establishing and managing three regional sub-networks (North, Midlands, South), while maintaining national consistency and strategic alignment.
Summary of key requirements:
• Introduce and embed the regional substructure in collaboration with DfE and TAN leadership.
• Develop and deliver tailored operational plans for each region.
• Coordinate and support ambassador activity to increase reach and effectiveness.
• Strengthen regional employer engagement and address local skills needs.
• Ensure regional activities align with national goals and foster sustainable local partnerships.
To bid and for full details of the Opportunity, please go to the Department for Education's eSourcing Portal, Jaggaer under project_9735 https://education.app.jaggaer.com/web/login.html
We also invite interested suppliers to register and attend a virtual bidder engagement event held on Microsoft Teams on Wednesday, 4 June 2025, to help clarify the requirements and procurement process. Please follow this link to register your attendance: https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/e1efe189-37b5-45fb-8bad-a9bd2811cb7e@fad277c9-c60a-4da1-b5f3-b3b8b34a82f9
The DfE is keen to maximise opportunities to participate in procurement for Small to Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) and Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprises (VCSEs). Consideration will also be given to consortia and collaborative bids from all forms of organisations.
Total value (estimated)
- £250,000 excluding VAT
- £300,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 September 2025 to 31 August 2027
- Possible extension to 31 August 2028
- 3 years
Description of possible extension:
Subject to performance of service and Departmental requirements review
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 80000000 - Education and training services
Contract locations
- UKC - North East (England)
- UKD - North West (England)
- UKF - East Midlands (England)
- UKG - West Midlands (England)
- UKH - East of England
- UKJ - South East (England)
- UKK - South West (England)
Justification for not using lots
In accordance with procurement best practices and the principles of proportionality and efficiency, the decision was made not to divide this contract into lots. This approach was based on the following key considerations:
Relatively Low Contract Value
The overall value of the contract was assessed to be relatively low. Dividing such a contract into multiple lots would not have delivered significant economic or operational benefits and could have introduced unnecessary complexity into the procurement process.
Limited Contract Management Resources
The DfE currently operates with limited internal resources for contract management of this service. Managing multiple lots would have required additional oversight, monitoring, and administrative effort, which would not have been proportionate to the scale or value of the contract.
Market Interest in a Single Contract
Early market engagement and supplier feedback indicated a clear preference and capability among potential bidders to deliver the full scope of the contract as a whole. There was no strong indication that dividing the contract into lots would enhance competition or improve value for money.
Given these factors, the decision to proceed with a single-lot procurement was deemed to be the most efficient and effective approach, ensuring a streamlined process while maintaining value for money and compliance with procurement regulations.
Participation
Particular suitability
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Submission
Enquiry deadline
13 June 2025, 11:59pm
Tender submission deadline
27 June 2025, 10:00am
Submission address and any special instructions
https://education.app.jaggaer.com/web/login.html
Go to project_9735 or ITT_3466 and submit bid responses via the Portal
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
6 August 2025
Recurring procurement
Publication date of next tender notice (estimated): 1 June 2028
Award criteria
| Name | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Delivery solution | Quality | 30% |
| Pricing Schedule | Price | 20% |
| Capacity and resourcing | Quality | 10% |
| Recruitment | Quality | 10% |
| Project Delivery, Contract Management, and Quality of Output | Quality | 10% |
| Experience of working with employers, intermediary organisations, providers, and students | Quality | 10% |
| Social Value: Tackling Economic Inequality | Quality | 10% |
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
Region: UKI32 - Westminster
Organisation type: Public authority - central government