Scope
Reference
CP2491-24
Description
Devon County Council will be setting up an open framework for Independent and Alternative Education Support for Children and Young People in Devon. The framework will comprise the following Lots:
Lot 1a - Pre-16 Education Placements for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) with independent schools, independent special schools or non-maintained special schools.
Lot 1b - Post-16 Education Placements for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) with independent post-16 settings and independent special post-16 settings schools and colleges.
Lot 2a - Bespoke packages of Alternative Education Provision support which form part of an educated other than at school (EOTAS) which has been named within a child or young person's statutory Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).
Lot 2b - Bespoke packages of Alternative Education Provision support to enable children and young people to reintegrate to their school or move onto another education setting.
A tender launch event will be held via Microsoft Teams on 18th September 2025 from 1.30 - 3pm where information on the tender process will be shared with providers. To book a place to attend the tender launch event, please email louise.k.baker@devon.gov.uk and hannah.robinson@devon.gov.uk confirming your name, company name and email address. A Teams meeting calendar request will then be forwarded on to enable attendance.
Commercial tool
Establishes an open framework
Total value (estimated)
- £613,990,000 excluding VAT
- £736,788,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 11 December 2025 to 13 February 2026
- 2 months, 3 days
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 80000000 - Education and training services
- 85000000 - Health and social work services
Contract locations
- UKK - South West (England)
Lot 1a (was 1). Pre-16 Education Placements
Description
Pre-16 Education Placements for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) with independent schools, independent special schools or non-maintained special schools.
Lot value (estimated)
- £357,063,000 excluding VAT
- £428,475,600 including VAT
Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
Same for all lots
CPV classifications, contract locations and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot 1b. Post-16 Education Placements
Description
Post-16 Education Placements for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) with independent post-16 settings and independent special post-16 settings schools and colleges.
Lot value (estimated)
- £163,437,000 excluding VAT
- £196,124,400 including VAT
Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
Same for all lots
CPV classifications, contract locations and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot 2a. Alternative Education Provision (EOTAS)
Description
Bespoke packages of Alternative Education Provision support which form part of an educated other than at school (EOTAS) which has been named within a child or young person's statutory Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).
Lot value (estimated)
- £59,179,170 excluding VAT
- £71,015,004 including VAT
Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
Same for all lots
CPV classifications, contract locations and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot 2b. Alternative Education Provision (Reintegration)
Description
Bespoke packages of Alternative Education Provision support to enable children and young people to reintegrate to their school or move onto another education setting.
Lot value (estimated)
- £34,310,830 excluding VAT
- £41,172,996 including VAT
Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
Same for all lots
CPV classifications, contract locations and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Framework
Open framework scheme end date (estimated)
10 December 2033
Maximum number of suppliers
Unlimited
Maximum percentage fee charged to suppliers
0%
Framework operation description
An 'open framework' is a scheme of successive frameworks awarded on substantially the same terms. New providers can Bid and be added each time the framework is reopened. The existing framework ends and a new framework begins after each reopening process. In compliance with Section 49 of the Act an Open Framework must re-open at least once during the first three (3) years and then at least once during the following five (5) year period.
Each time a Framework is reopened for Bids, this will be known as an Entry Point. The Framework Agreements entered into after each Entry Point will be known by the successive Framework number. e.g. the initial Framework linked to Entry Point 1 will be known as Framework One, the subsequent Framework linked to Entry Point 2 will be known as Framework Two and so on.
It is anticipated that there will be:
- two (2) Entry Points in the first year (Entry Point 1 closing October 2025 and then Entry Point 2 opening immediately after), and
- one (1) Entry Point in each of the following years for the duration of the Open Framework. However, the Authority reserves the right to have more Entry Points at its discretion. A Tender Notice will be published on the Platform each time the Framework is re-opened.
Existing Providers who were previously appointed onto one or more Lot(s) of the Open Framework will automatically be appointed onto the subsequent Framework(s) and will not need to take any action in response to the re-opening of the Framework unless:
- they choose to submit a new Bid in response to an Entry Point, or
- they request in writing that the Authority does not appoint them onto one or more Lot(s) of the new Framework following the re-opening of an Entry Point
Bidders who are successful in a bid will be appointed onto the open framework by entering into a Framework Agreement, with Devon County Council (DCC)
Placements and packages of work under any of the Lots will then be awarded via a mini competition process or a direct award. A full explanation of the processes can be found within the Framework Agreement, Note that DCC cannot give any guarantee of business or of the actual value of any Contracts awarded under the Framework. Usage and values of Contracts may be affected by the implementation of Local Government Reorganisation (LGR). Further information on LGR can be found in the ITT document.
Bidders are required to complete a pricing schedule for the Lot(s) they are bidding for, The prices submitted will not be evaluated, however they will be used at call-off Contract stage where costs submitted cannot exceed those stated in the relevant Lot Pricing Schedule (taking into account any agreed fee increase as per the Fee and Inflationary Uplift Protocol). This Protocol can be viewed in Appendix 9 of the Invitation to Tender (ITT) document.
Award method when using the framework
Either with or without competition
Contracting authorities that may use the framework
Establishing party only
Participation
Particular suitability
Lot 1a (was 1). Pre-16 Education Placements
Lot 1b. Post-16 Education Placements
Lot 2a. Alternative Education Provision (EOTAS)
Lot 2b. Alternative Education Provision (Reintegration)
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
Submission
Enquiry deadline
10 October 2025, 12:00pm
Tender submission deadline
17 October 2025, 12:00pm
Submission address and any special instructions
Submissions must be made via the Supplying the South West tendering portal. https://www.supplyingthesouthwest.org.uk/
Further information regarding submissions can be viewed in Section 5 (Submission Instructions) of the Invitation to Tender (ITT) document.
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
24 November 2025
Award criteria
| Name | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Quality | Quality | 100% |
Other information
Applicable trade agreements
- Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Special regime
Light touch
Contracting authority
Devon County Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PJRC-4623-RJBH
County Hall, Topsham Road,
Exeter,
EX2 4QD
United Kingdom
Email: procurement-mailbox@devon.gov.uk
Website: https://www.devon.gov.uk/
Region: UKK43 - Devon CC
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government