Scope
Reference
Future Academic Provision Programme
Description
Strategic Command Commercial are currently inviting responses to a Preliminary Market Engagement Notice (PMEN) on key themes surrounding the Future Academic Provision (FAP) requirement. FAP aims to continually design, develop, and deliver Professional Defence & Security Education (PDSE) and training services, including the ability to award degrees up to RQF level 7 and potentially 8, recognising prior accredited learning. There are two primary delivery sites (Shrivenham and London) in addition to a virtual footprint on the Defence Learning Environment (DLE). There are aspirations to deliver courses to other locations which may include overseas.
Total value (estimated)
- £117,000,000 excluding VAT
- £140,400,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 5 January 2027 to 31 August 2035
- 8 years, 7 months, 27 days
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 80000000 - Education and training services
Contract locations
- UK - United Kingdom
- UKI - London
- UKJ - South East (England)
Engagement
Engagement deadline
19 August 2025
Engagement process description
Dear supplier,
The Authority wishes to thank you for the interest and responses received to the Future Academic Provision (FAP) Request For Information (RFI) published on 18 December 2024. The RFI notice from 18/12/24 can be found within this notice.
The Authority has carefully reviewed the responses to the FAP RFI and wishes to outline its position regarding next steps for the FAP Programme.
The Authority wishes to explore themes raised by suppliers in response to the RFI. Due to commercial sensitivity, the Authority will be contacting suppliers who responded to the RFI individually to clarify elements of their response in greater detail.
The Authority also has several follow up questions for the entire market which it is inviting industry's view. Please see the attached document titled '20250313_Future_Academic_Provision_RFI_Follow_ Up_Questions_O' which contains instructions on how to a submit a response in addition to the specific questions asked. The aim of the updated RFI is to understand the current market position in relation to key themes as outlined in the attached document.
The Authority is also hosting an online webinar with the aim to provide an update on the FAP Programme to industry. The Authority reserves the right to hold a second online webinar and will update industry as soon as possible with confirmed details if this approach is chosen. The initial webinar will take place via Microsoft Teams on the following date:
Webinar 1 - 27 March 2025. 10:00am-10:45am GMT. Please register by 5pm on 24 March 2025 via https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/1df615cd-fa5c-4b52-b816-62a4121c1fc2@be7760ed-5953-484b-ae95-d0a16dfa09e5
Full details of the webinar are contained within the Microsoft Teams link.
Upon the conclusion of the webinar, the Authority reserves the right to engage in dialogue with industry by holding individual discussions which are optional to suppliers. The Authority is proposing that individual discussions take place virtually via Microsoft Teams or in-person at the Defence Academy in Shrivenham, dependent on supplier preference. The discussion will last approximately 45 minutes and will aim to explore key themes in relation to FAP. All conversations held will be recorded to ensure that there is a clear audit trail as part of PMEN.
Please register your interest in individual discussions by confirming via email to UKStratCom-Comrcl-JFD@mod.gov.uk by 5pm 24 March 2025. In this email, please provide up to three slots that your organisation can attend and the preferred format of the discussion. The Authority will acknowledge your response as soon as practically possible and confirm next steps to facilitate any potential discussion.
Subject to commercial sensitivity, all information conducted as part of Preliminary Market Engagement will be shared with all suppliers as soon as practically possible.
The Authority reserves the right and has no obligation to continue with the requirement following Preliminary Market Engagement, and if potential suppliers choose to act on any information they receive from during PME, it is entirely at their own risk
Participation
Particular suitability
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Contracting authority
Ministry of Defence
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PHVX-4316-ZVGZ
Faringdon Road, Greenhill House, Room 13
Shrivenham
SN6 8LA
United Kingdom
Email: UKStratCom-Comrcl-JFD@mod.gov.uk
Website: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-defence
Region: UKJ14 - Oxfordshire
Organisation type: Public authority - central government