Scope
Reference
25-26.SEND-65
Description
The Education and Training Foundation (ETF) is awarding a contract for a Centre for Excellence in Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) - Theme of 'People' following a competitive tender process.
The Centre of Excellence will design and deliver CPD based on the theme 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. The Centre will have national reach across England.
Working closely with ETF and SEND Employer Spokes, this Centre for Excellence will design and deliver live online events, Communities 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 Centre. It will offer a specialism in the theme of 'People' and will have equal parity, providing peer to peer support and sharing effective practice to the existing Centres of Excellence, Employer Spokes and the FE sector.
The ETF took 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.
Following a thorough evaluation process, it was decided to award a contract for the theme of 'People' only. The theme of 'Careers' will not be awarded as originally anticipated.
In the interest of transparency and fairness, ETF are observing a voluntary standstill period ending on the 15th August 2025. During this period, ETF will not enter into the contract, allowing time for any potential concerns to be raised.
The award decision remains subject to the conclusion of this standstill period and no legal proceedings being initiated.
ETF may consider a direct award contract for the theme of 'Careers' following the standstill period, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Procurement Act 2023, including any applicable direct award justifications under Schedule 5.
Contract 1. Centre for Excellence in Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) 2025
Supplier
Contract value
- £137,952 excluding VAT
- £172,440 including VAT
Below the relevant threshold
Award decision date
6 August 2025
Earliest date the contract will be signed
18 August 2025
Contract dates (estimated)
- 19 August 2025 to 7 March 2026
- Possible extension to 31 March 2027
- 1 year, 7 months, 13 days
Description of possible extension:
The value of the contract for each Centre was circa 86,780 GBP inclusive of VAT. The duration of the contract is until 31st March 2026 with a possible extension of one year subject to the availability of funding.
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 80500000 - Training services
- 80400000 - Adult and other education services
Contract locations
- UK - United Kingdom
Information about tenders
- 1 tender received
- 1 tender assessed in the final stage:
- 0 submitted by small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- 0 submitted by voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
- 1 supplier awarded contracts
- 0 suppliers unsuccessful (details included for contracts over £5 million)
Procedure
Procedure type
Below threshold - open competition
Special regime
Light touch
Supplier
City of Sunderland College
- UK Register of Learning Providers (UKPRN number): 10001475
Bede Campus, Durham Road
Sunderland
SR3 4AH
United Kingdom
Region: UKC23 - Sunderland
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): No
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Contract 1. Centre for Excellence in Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) 2025
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