Scope
Reference
PROJ 12986
Description
The ASEAN-UK Supporting the Advancement of Girls’ Education (ASEAN-UK SAGE) programme is a six-year Business Case funded by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) through the UK Mission to ASEAN. Delivered in two phases, the UK Mission to ASEAN is now seeking eligible organisation(s) to deliver a three-year Phase 2.
Phase 2 will run for three UK financial years, from April 2026 to March 2029, with a total budget of £9,000,000. It will be delivered by a lead organisation under an agreement with the UK Mission to ASEAN, supported by downstream partners as needed.
The focus of ASEAN-UK SAGE is to support inclusive and equitable quality education for children across Southeast Asia Region in close collaboration with ASEAN secretariat, especially for girls and the most marginalised, contributing to regional integration and narrowing of development disparities between ASEAN Member States (AMS) .
The emphasis in Phase 2 will be on the use of evidence to improve learning outcomes and inclusion, especially for priority countries in the region.
Total value (estimated)
- £6,000,000 excluding VAT
- £6,000,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 July 2026 to 31 March 2029
- Possible extension to 31 March 2031
- 4 years, 9 months
Description of possible extension:
Optional extension of upto 2 years, and £3m value, subject to budget availability and Business Case addendum
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 80000000 - Education and training services
Contract locations
- BN - Brunei
- KH - Cambodia
- ID - Indonesia
- LA - Laos
- MY - Malaysia
- MM - Myanmar (Burma)
- PH - Philippines
- SG - Singapore
- TH - Thailand
- VN - Vietnam
Participation
Legal and financial capacity conditions of participation
Employers Liability Insurance: £5m
Professional Indemnity Insurance: £10m
Public Liability Insurance: £10m
Technical ability conditions of participation
Technical Expertise: Proven track record in designing and delivering education and foundational learning programmes, including use of evidence-based approaches and capacity to adapt and scale interventions with governments.
Regional Knowledge: Demonstrated experience working with and in ASEAN Secretariat and ASEAN Member States, particularly in priority countries, and ability to mobilise quickly with established networks or partnerships.
Programme Management Capacity: Proven track record and ability to manage a regional or multi-country programme, including fund management, governance, risk management, MEL, and coordination with regional bodies and governments.
Deployment Model: Evidence of operational presence or ability to establish presence in ASEAN, supported by clear plans for cost-effective delivery and local engagement.
Compliance and Safeguarding: Robust safeguarding policies and risk management frameworks.
Particular suitability
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Submission
Publication date of tender notice (estimated)
26 January 2026
Enquiry deadline
23 February 2026, 11:59pm
Submission type
Requests to participate
Deadline for requests to participate
23 February 2026, 11:59pm
Submission address and any special instructions
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
1 May 2026
Other information
Description of risks to contract performance
Budget Volatility & VfM: ODA cuts could affect procurement process, programme scope and delivery.
Applicable trade agreements
- Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
Procedure
Procedure type
Competitive flexible procedure
Competitive flexible procedure description
Expected to include:
Conditions to Participate/proceed to Tender stage = weighted technical questions, evaluated
Tender Stage = Top 5 (and ties) qualify for tender stage
Optional Final Negotation Stage = FCDO reserve the right to include final negotiation stage
Reduced tendering period
Yes
Qualifying planned procurement notice - minimum 10 days
Contracting authority
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PXRR-8771-PHVX
King Charles Street
London
SW1A 2AH
United Kingdom
Email: commercial.smi@fcdo.gov.uk
Website: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/foreign-commonwealth-development-office
Region: UKI32 - Westminster
Organisation type: Public authority - central government