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SEND Reform Evaluation - Supplier Networking Opportunity

Department for Education

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

21 Oct 2026 at 11:55

Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Department for Education intends to procure an evaluation of its SEND reform investments. This is research and consultancy work focused on assessing the investments; the planned procurement’s detailed evaluation scope and deliverables are not set out here. The work is associated with the United Kingdom, as well as locations listed across Europe and elsewhere. The current activity is supplier networking ahead of the separate procurement, rather than an invitation to tender.

The process is at the planning stage, with pre-market engagement continuing. The Department expects to compete the future procurement through the Crown Commercial Service Research & Insights Dynamic Purchasing System, with competition intended in November 2026. The engagement period is due to end on 20 November 2026. Suppliers may voluntarily join a networking register to connect with other interested organisations; the department will not select, recommend or match collaborators. Joining the register, or choosing not to, will not affect eligibility or evaluation in the later procurement. No contract value or budget is stated in this planning information.

This work is most relevant to research and consultancy suppliers with an interest in evaluating SEND reform or education investments. Small and medium-sized enterprises and voluntary, community and social enterprises are identified as suitable participants. Organisations considering the future competition may find the optional register useful for making contact with potential collaborators and exploring whether to work together. The department does not arrange partnerships, so suppliers will need to decide independently whether collaboration suits their capabilities and approach. The published information does not describe required research methods, accreditations, staffing levels or minimum experience, so firms should use the pre-market engagement to understand the eventual scope before assessing their fit.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

SEND Reform Evaluation - Supplier Networking Opportunity

Notice Description

The Department for Education (DfE) is continuing its pre-market engagement for the forthcoming SEND Reform Investments Evaluation procurement, which is intended to be competed through the Crown Commercial Service Research & Insights Dynamic Purchasing System (RM6126) in November Following feedback received during recent market engagement events held on 19th October, DfE is facilitating an optional supplier networking register to help organisations interested in this opportunity connect with other organisations that may be interested in collaborating in relation to the future procurement. Organisations wishing to participate are invited to complete the Supplier Networking Register form at: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=yXfS-grGoU2187O4s0qC-TcmlMtyZZVCqrgjEKtw5BRUQ0pBQTU0Q1dOQzRCQTJEV0ZGVTAxWTNMUC4u The form will ask for limited contact information, including organisation name, contact name and email address, together with consent for those details to be shared with other organisations participating in the register. The register will be distributed on a weekly basis with those who have consented, up until the end of the tender clarification period. Participation in the networking register is entirely voluntary. DfE will not recommend, endorse, select or match organisations. Organisations will remain responsible for deciding whether and how they engage or collaborate with others. Participation or non-participation in the networking register will have no bearing on eligibility to participate in, or the evaluation of, any subsequent procurement. This activity forms part of DfE's pre-market engagement and does not constitute a call for competition or an invitation to tender. Any subsequent procurement will be conducted separately in accordance with the applicable process under RM6126. Additional information: Information submitted through the form will be used for the purpose of facilitating supplier networking in connection with the SEND Reform Evaluation opportunity. Contact details will only be included in the networking register where the individual has provided consent for DfE to share them for this purpose.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-a475b491-2e89-4f7a-a858-59b59c60ce92
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/70a9bec9-fbed-4788-af63-94fdaf9b7ede
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Dynamic
Procurement Category
Not specified
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

CPV Codes

73000000 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
21 Oct 20266 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Not Specified
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Department for Education
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
COVENTRY
Postcode
CV1 2WT
Postcode Area
Coventry
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLG West Midlands (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLG3 West Midlands
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLG33 Coventry
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Coventry
Electoral Ward
St Michael's
Westminster Constituency
Coventry South

Further Information

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts.

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