P12819 - National School of Government and Public Services
- Cabinet Office
Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-06f2de
Description
This notice is not an official launch of our procurement(s), it is to alert the market to future opportunities and allow us to begin conversations that will shape plans for multiple future requirements.
The Cabinet Office (Government Skills Group) is transforming the way learning and development (L&D) is designed, procured, and delivered across the Civil Service. Following the announcement by the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister, the government is establishing the new National School of Government and Public Services (hereon The National School).
The National School is tasked with delivering high-quality, targeted training to approximately 558,000 civil servants, developing executive leadership in the wider public sector, and to partner with public sector training bodies.
The strategic goal of the National School is to shift away from the historically outsourced prime-supplier managed-service model. In its place, the Cabinet Office is building an insourced, hybrid capability. Under this new Future Operating Model (FOM), the Cabinet Office will directly manage core operations, standard curricula, and stakeholder engagement. However, expert external provision will remain a critical element of the programme.
The National School transformation programme relies on three core, interdependent pillars to transition Civil Service training away from fully outsourced prime-supplier models toward an in-house, hybrid operating model by April 2028.
Together, these pillars work to build direct relationships with suppliers, provide a modern digital learning infrastructure, and establish robust in-house operational workflows.
Pillar 1: Future Supplier Partnerships (FSP)
The FSP project serves as the commercial enabler of the new operating model, building the in-house capability required to buy learning services and manage supply chains directly. We aim to establish direct, value-driven contractual relationships with UK-based SMEs, universities, business schools, and niche providers.
The project team have identified an indicative Three-Stage Roadmap to enable this delivery:
Stage 1 (Immediate - April 2027): Procuring urgent digital and specialist training needs that cannot be fulfilled through existing frameworks.
Stage 2 (April 2027-March 2028): Phased procurement for core, National School-sponsored curriculum, coaching, and talent programmes.
Stage 3 (March 2028 onwards): On-going phased procurements falling out of Stages 1 and 2, depending on the length of contracts identified.
The scope of the requirements will cover several key procurement categories, including, but not limited to, specialised coaching pools (including for neuro-diverse leaders), blended training delivery, learning design (retaining Crown Intellectual Property), access to subject matter experts including within academia, independent research and evaluation, helpdesk/admin surge, and off-the-shelf qualifications.
Pillar 2: Future Technologies (FT)
The Future Technologies project focuses on designing and implementing the digital architecture required to run a personalised training operation for approximately 558,000 civil servants. The core objective here is the setting up and integration of platforms to manage the access, booking, payments, and evaluation of learning materials. This involves transitioning away from heavy manual processes to maximise technological efficiencies.
At this stage the project team has identified the central deliverable as a unified online portal allowing learners to access the full National School offering. Key technologies in scope for procurement include, but are not limited to, a new Learning Management System (LMS)/ Learning Experience Platform (LXP), Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems to centralise stakeholder engagement, and design/delivery tools.
Pillar 3: Future Learning Operations (FLO)
The Learning Operations project is responsible for building the actual systems, processes, and internal capabilities required to run the day-to-day training operations in-house. Their core objective is establishing an integrated operational function by April 2028 that supports over 558,000 civil servants in completing their learning journeys. It is highly dependent on the digital and commercial pillars to develop the underlying platforms that support operations.
Market Involvement
As part of the initial phases of the programme, the project teams are keen to connect with the market and gain insight into current trends, operations and barriers. With this in mind, Cabinet Office and the project team have planned the following Sector Connector events. To register your interest in attending, please follow the links provided:
Academia
Manchester - Friday 25 September 2026 - 10am - 1pm
The Studio, Level St, Manchester
Book your place here:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1999025378720?aff=oddtdtcreator
London - 06 October 2026 - 3:30pm - 6:30pm
The Restaurant Town Hall, 10 SC, Canary Wharf Estate, E14 4PU
Book your place here:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1999026827052?aff=oddtdtcreator
Edinburgh - 09 October 2026 - 10am - 1pm
The Scotsman Hotel, 20 North Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1TR
Book your place here:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1999027524137?aff=oddtdtcreator
Coaching
London - 15 September 2026 - 11am-2pm
The Restaurant Town Hall, 10 South Colonnade, Canary Wharf Estate, E14 4PU
Book your place here:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1999022609437?aff=oddtdtcreator
Virtual - 16 September 2026 - 3pm - 5pm
Book your place here:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1999294630058?aff=oddtdtcreator
Learning & Development
London - 23 September 2026 - 11am- 2pm
The Restaurant Town Hall, 10 SC, Canary Wharf Estate, E14 4PU
Book your place here:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1999024350645?aff=oddtdtcreator
Manchester - 25 September 2026 - 11am - 2pm
The Studio, Level St, Manchester
Book your place here:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1999024763881?aff=oddtdtcreator
Edinburgh - 09 October 2026 - 2pm - 5pm
The Scotsman Hotel, 20 North Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1TR
Book your place here:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1999027524137?aff=oddtdtcreator
Senior Leadership
London - 23 September 2026 2:30pm - 5pm
The Restaurant Town Hall, 10 SC, Canary Wharf Estate, E14 4PU
Book your place here:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1999023733800?aff=oddtdtcreator
Off the Shelf Learning
London - 28 September 2026 - 11am - 2pm
The Restaurant Town Hall, 10 SC, Canary Wharf Estate, E14 4PU
Book your place here:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1999026628458?aff=oddtdtcreator
Virtual - 02 October 2026 - 10am - 12pm
Book your place here:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1999295572878?aff=oddtdtcreator
Digital
Virtual - 11 September 2026 - 11am - 12:30pm
Book your place here:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1999286310173?aff=oddtdtcreator
DigiGov Expo at London Excel on 24 and 25 September
Representatives from the Future Learning Technology Team will be at the DigiGov Expo at London Excel on 24 and 25 September.
Book your place here:
https://www.digital-government.co.uk/registration/?utm_campaign=24142620-TECH26 - Visprom&utm_source=GCA&utm_medium=Partner&utm_content=Reg
Current Thinking for Programme Delivery
The National School Programme are in the early stages of exploring routes to market and have listed below some of the models reviewed for potential use:
RM6219 Learning and Training Services DPS.
A Dynamic Purchasing System allows for suppliers to register throughout the life cycle. If you would like to apply to become a registered supplier on this DPS, please follow this link:
https://supplierregistration.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/dps/RM6219?nav=0
NEPO514 - External Training
Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) for the provision of External Training
https://www.nepo.org/solutions/professional-services/external-training
RM6126 - Research & Insights DPS
This dynamic purchasing system (DPS) is available to all UK central government departments, to procure social, economic and market research, and behavioural insights services for projects of all sizes and values.
https://supplierregistration.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/dps/RM6126?nav=0
RM6419 Innovation Marketplace - Dynamic Marketplace
It will provide a place for buyers to access suppliers who specialise in innovation. The Innovation Marketplace will cover a wide range of services
Innovation Marketplace UK1: Pipeline Notice
This list is not exhaustive and does not cover all of the routes to market we are exploring. The above routes are those where suppliers can review and register to become part of any potential future opportunities and we would encourage suppliers to follow the registration processes if it is of interest.
The CPV codes selected within this notice have been selected to reflect the current understanding of services and capabilities that are envisaged to fall within scope. These codes are indicative only and may be refined.
Funding estimates Included in this notice are based on historic student volumes and spending. Actual contract values will be determined by actual student volumes.
Notices
UK1: Pipeline notice
- Notice identifier
- 2026/S 000-084135
- Published
- 4 September 2026, 5:59pm