Scope
Reference
25-26.SEND-65
Description
The Education and Training Foundation wish to commission two Centres for Excellence in Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) one with the theme of 'People' and one with the theme of 'Careers'. Each Centre of Excellence in SEND will design and deliver CPD based on these themes for leaders, managers and practitioners who wish to put learners with SEND at the centre of their organisation, resulting in learners achieving the outcomes they aspire to. Each Centre for Excellence will have national reach across England.
Working closely with ETF and SEND Employer Spokes, the Centres for Excellence SEND will design and deliver live online events, Community of Practice sessions and complete Peer Reviews focused on developing a whole organisational approach to SEND. This will result in learners achieving the outcomes they aspire to. Preparation for Adulthood is a key priority for the Centres. Each Centre will be able offer a specialism in a designated theme and will have equal parity, providing peer to peer support and sharing effective practice to the other Centres and Employer Spokes and the FE sector.
Total value (estimated)
- £138,848 excluding VAT
- £173,560 including VAT
Below the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 13 August 2025 to 31 March 2026
- Possible extension to 31 March 2027
- 1 year, 7 months, 19 days
Description of possible extension:
The value of the contract for each Centre is circa 86,780 GBP inclusive of VAT. Duration of the contract is 13 August 2025 - 31 March 2026 with a possible extension of one year subject to funding.
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 80000000 - Education and training services
Contract locations
- UK - United Kingdom
Participation
Conditions of participation
The Education and Training Foundation (ETF) seeks wherever possible to take a sector led approach to recruit FE providers who have been graded 'Good' or 'Outstanding' from Ofsted and/or Care Quality Commission (CQC) for SEND provision.
There are two themes available for tenderers to bid for. Tenderers can choose to bid for one or both themes. However, if they are bidding for both themes, they will only be awarded a contract for one theme.
Particular suitability
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Submission
Enquiry deadline
4 July 2025, 5:00pm
Tender submission deadline
11 July 2025, 5:00pm
Submission address and any special instructions
Tenderer should upload their response to the mytenders website www.mytenders.co.uk by the stated deadline.
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Award criteria
| Name | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Approach and Methodology | Quality | 25.00% |
| Capability, Capacity and Skills | Quality | 15.00% |
| Equality and Diversity | Quality | 15.00% |
| Price and Total Contract Value | Cost | 15.00% |
| Project Impact and Outcomes | Quality | 10.00% |
| Communications, Recruitment and Dissemination | Quality | 10.00% |
| Added Value | Quality | 10.00% |
Procedure
Procedure type
Below threshold - open competition
Special regime
Light touch
Documents
Associated tender documents
https://www.mytenders.co.uk/Authority/NoticeBuilder/NoticeBuilder_FileDownload.aspx?id=603246
Invitation to Tender - Centres for Excellence in SEND
https://www.mytenders.co.uk/Authority/NoticeBuilder/NoticeBuilder_FileDownload.aspx?id=603247
Tender Response Document - Centres for Excellence in SEND
https://www.mytenders.co.uk/Authority/NoticeBuilder/NoticeBuilder_FileDownload.aspx?id=603248
Annex 1 - ETF's 12 principles of effective CPD in Further Education
https://www.mytenders.co.uk/Authority/NoticeBuilder/NoticeBuilder_FileDownload.aspx?id=603249
ETF Programme Learning Services Agreement
https://www.mytenders.co.uk/Authority/NoticeBuilder/NoticeBuilder_FileDownload.aspx?id=603250
ETF Delivery Partner Power BI terms and conditions
https://www.mytenders.co.uk/Authority/NoticeBuilder/NoticeBuilder_FileDownload.aspx?id=603251
ETF Delivery Partner Zoom licence terms and conditions
Contracting authority
The Education and Training Foundation
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PTPV-9936-RPRN
157 - 197 Buckingham Palace Road
London
SW1W 9SP
United Kingdom
Contact name: Commissioning and Procurement
Telephone: +442037408280
Email: tenderqueries@etfoundation.co.uk
Website: http://www.et-foundation.co.uk
Region: UKI32 - Westminster
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government