Scope
Description
The Department for Education (DfE) requires a supplier to provide an independent adjudication service in relation to Ofsted's handling of complaints about its work including: handling individual complaints, the provision of advice, regular reporting regarding the volume and nature of the complaint, and publication of an annual report. The adjudication service is independent of Ofsted. Conclusions and recommendations are independent of both Ofsted and DfE.
The supplier will refer to the service as the Independent Complaints Adjudication Service for Ofsted (ICASO) and is required to identify themselves as the supplier of this service and provide information regarding the service with a webpage that can be referred to on Ofsted's webpage.
Total value (estimated)
- £125,000 excluding VAT
- £150,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 November 2025 to 31 October 2028
- Possible extension to 31 October 2029
- 4 years
Description of possible extension:
if deemed necessary by the department and OFSTED
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 79400000 - Business and management consultancy and related services
Contract locations
- UK - United Kingdom
Submission
Enquiry deadline
11 September 2025, 12:00pm
Tender submission deadline
19 September 2025, 12:00pm
Submission address and any special instructions
n/a
Tenders may be submitted electronically
No
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
1 October 2025
Award criteria
| Name | Type |
|---|---|
| Most Adventageous Tender | Quality |
Weighting description
Most Advantageous Tender. Please see ITT documentation fo further details.
Other information
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Justification for not publishing a preliminary market engagement notice
No Frameworks to work from
Documents
Associated tender documents
2025_08_14 ICASO Bid Pack.docx
2025_08_14 How to Bid pack_ICASO.docx
(PA2023) ITT - Model Invitation to Tender.docx
2025_08_14 ICASO_SoR.docx
ICASO 2025 Contract_T&C_2025.docx
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