Scope
Description
The Schools Water Strategy is an "invest to save" strategy aimed at reducing the risk of flooding in schools. This planned procurement is to enable the expansion of the current Property Flood Resilience (PFR) installations across the school estate, specifically targeting members of the Risk Protection Arrangement (RPA) for schools in high-risk flood areas and schools that have suffered repeated flooding disruption.
These works are anticipated to include design and build of grey, green (nature- based) and blue property flood resilience solutions.
The DfE is looking to award 5 regional contracts that will deliver PFR measures in specific schools (selected by the DfE based upon flood risk) in each region.
The procurement will be structured into five regional Lots to ensure equal coverage across England. Each Lot will be split into regions as follow:
• Lot 1: North West
• Lot 2: North East
• Lot 3: West Midlands and South (excluding London)
• Lot 4: London
• Lot 5: East Midlands and East of England
Each Lot will have a target to complete a minimum of 10 schools per year over the contract period; however, suppliers would be expected to work on more than 10 projects a year to achieve the targets, accounting for potential slippage.
Bidders will be able to apply for all five Lots but will only be awarded a maximum of three Lots. The planned procurement will follow an Open Competitive Procedure, and the evaluation will use a price-per-quality-point methodology.
The planned procurement will include social value as part of the evaluation criteria weighted at 10% and may cover MAC2a: Skills for Growth, focusing on skills development in property flood resilience, and MAC4b: Influence staff, suppliers, customers and communities through the delivery of the contract to support climate and nature protection and improvement.
Total value (estimated)
- £57,000,000 excluding VAT
- £68,400,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 September 2026 to 31 March 2030
- Possible extension to 31 March 2032
- 5 years, 7 months
Description of possible extension:
1year + 1year after the initial contract period
Main procurement category
Works
CPV classifications
- 45246400 - Flood-prevention works
- 44212382 - Floodgates
- 71242000 - Project and design preparation, estimation of costs
- 44112000 - Miscellaneous building structures
- 45214200 - Construction work for school buildings
- 71356000 - Technical services
- 45240000 - Construction work for water projects
Contract locations
- UK - United Kingdom
Lot Lot 1. England - North West
Description
These works are anticipated to include design and build of grey, green (nature- based) and blue property flood resilience solutions in the North West region
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 Lot 2. England - North East
Description
These works are anticipated to include design and build of grey, green (nature- based) and blue property flood resilience solutions in the North East region.
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 Lot 3. England - West Midlands and South (excluding London)
Description
These works are anticipated to include design and build of grey, green (nature- based) and blue property flood resilience solutions in the West Midlands and South (excluding London) region
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 Lot 4. England - London
Description
These works are anticipated to include design and build of grey, green (nature- based) and blue property flood resilience solutions in the London region
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 Lot 5. England - East Midlands and East of England
Description
These works are anticipated to include design and build of grey, green (nature- based) and blue property flood resilience solutions in the East Midlands and East of England region
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.
Participation
Particular suitability
Lot Lot 1. England - North West
Lot Lot 2. England - North East
Lot Lot 3. England - West Midlands and South (excluding London)
Lot Lot 4. England - London
Lot Lot 5. England - East Midlands and East of England
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
Submission
Publication date of tender notice (estimated)
4 February 2026
Enquiry deadline
4 March 2026, 11:59pm
Tender submission deadline
18 March 2026, 11:59pm
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
3 July 2026
Award criteria
| Name | Type |
|---|---|
| Price-per-Quality-Point | Quality |
Weighting description
The planned procurement will follow an Open Competitive Procedure, and the evaluation will use a price-per-quality-point methodology.
The planned procurement will include social value as part of the evaluation criteria weighted at 10% and may cover MAC2a: Skills for Growth, focusing on skills development in property flood resilience, and MAC4b: Influence staff, suppliers, customers and communities through the delivery of the contract to support climate and nature protection and improvement.
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
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