Tender

Invitation to Tender to join the Framework for Education - Alternative Education Provision (AP) in Herefordshire

HEREFORDSHIRE COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 4 releases in its history.

Tender

12 Nov 2025 at 14:42

Planning

12 Jun 2025 at 12:05

Planning

14 May 2025 at 13:38

Planning

30 Apr 2025 at 14:50

Summary of the contracting process

Herefordshire Council is conducting an open tender for the establishment of a Framework for Education - Alternative Education Provision (AP) in Herefordshire. This procurement falls under the "services" category and uses the open procedure method according to the Procurement Act 2023. The council is inviting suppliers to contribute to the framework, which includes three lots: Education and Engagement Activities, Mentoring, and Tuition. The framework is strategically designed to cater to children and young people without a school place or with specific educational needs. The contracting process is currently in the "tender" stage, with a deadline for submissions on 17 December 2025 and contracts expected to commence in March 2026, running up to seven years with potential extensions.

This tender presents a substantial opportunity for businesses, particularly those specialising in education and training services, social and personal services, to engage in long-term partnerships with Herefordshire Council. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs) are encouraged to participate, as the diversity of services required across the three lots allows for a wide range of expertise, from face-to-face educational engagements to online tuition and mentoring services. The significant financial scope, with a maximum contract value of £20,000,000 (ex VAT), provides an excellent growth prospect for qualified providers capable of delivering education that enhances student engagement, achievement, and reintegration into mainstream studies.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Invitation to Tender to join the Framework for Education - Alternative Education Provision (AP) in Herefordshire

Notice Description

Herefordshire Council is seeking to establish an Open Framework of suitably qualified providers to deliver alternative education for those children and young people for whom it has a statutory responsibility, who are without a school place; or where a maintained school or academy has been unable to fully provide an appropriate individualised education package. Alternative provision may also be put in place for students who are at the point of permanent exclusion, have been permanently excluded from school or signed off from school on medical grounds. The Alternative Education Provision Framework will contain 3 Lots: * Lot 1 - Education and engagement activities * Lot 2 - Mentoring (face to face and/or online) * Lot 3 - Tuition (face to face and/or online) Providers are permitted to bid for one, two or three lots depending upon the service(s) they are able to offer. Contracts will be awarded to multiple providers under each Lot. The contract will commence in March 2026 and will be in place for up to 7 years. In accordance with the PA 2023, the Council will re-open the Open Framework at least once before the third anniversary of the First Open Framework Commencement Date and at least once every five years thereafter. The maximum total value of this framework is PS20,000,000 (ex VAT) across all 3 Lots. The procurement is being conducted in accordance with the open procedure under the Procurement Act 2023. It is being carried out under the Light Touch Regime (LTR) permissible under PA 2023, Section 9, and therefore applies the flexibilities afforded under above regulation.

Lot Information

Education and Engagement Activities

This lot covers face-to-face educational and engagement provision delivered outside the mainstream school setting. The purpose is to complement and enrich the school curriculum and/or vocational placements, providing flexible, targeted support that meets the individual needs of children and young people. Provision must be age-appropriate, inclusive, and focused on improving engagement, attainment and progress. This includes opportunities to achieve: * Accredited qualifications * Additional English and Maths support * Academic and wider learning outcomes * Vocational skills development * Bespoke activities that re-engage child and/or young persons in learning * Short-term interventions that build social and emotional well-being and support reintegration into mainstream education

Renewal: Extensions are subject to demand and further internal governance

Mentoring

Providers will deliver 1:1 mentoring via face-to-face sessions, secure online platforms, or a hybrid model. Where service delivery is in the home environment a responsible adult must always be present. Programmes will be individualised and interactive, addressing educational gaps, building confidence, developing life skills, and promoting a positive and proactive attitude to learning.

Renewal: Extensions are subject to demand and further internal governance

Tuition

Tuition may cover all key stages, core and option subjects, and vocational qualifications. Provision will cover subjects such as English, maths and science etc. Service delivery in person and/or online must be safe, interactive, and flexible, allowing a tailored programme for each learner to meet their need.

Renewal: Extensions are subject to demand and further internal governance

Planning Information

Herefordshire Council will be running a Market Engagement event for all businesses interested in delivering Alternative Education Provision for children and young people in Herefordshire. The event will be on 17th June 2:00pm - 3:00pm via Microsoft teams. The event will cover a range of topics including information of where to find council opportunities, how to successfully bid for them and specific information about this project along with opportunities to ask questions and network. ALL SUPPLIERS WHO WISH TO ATTEND WOULD NEED TO EXPRESS THEIR INTEREST by 4:00pm on Monday 16th June and confirm the name and email address that we should send the Microsoft Teams invitation to.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-050a89
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/073243-2025
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Planning, Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

80 - Education and training services

98 - Other community, social and personal services


CPV Codes

80000000 - Education and training services

98000000 - Other community, social and personal services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£20,000,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
£20,000,000 £10M-£100M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
12 Nov 20253 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
17 Dec 20252 weeks to go
Future Notice Date
3 Sep 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
30 Mar 2026 - 30 Mar 2031 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Active
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
HEREFORDSHIRE COUNCIL
Contact Name
Ms Aksana Hironak
Contact Email
commercialservices@herefordshire.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
HEREFORD
Postcode
HR4 0LE
Post Town
Hereford
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLG West Midlands (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLG1 Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Warwickshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLG11 Herefordshire, County of
Delivery Location
TLG11 Herefordshire, County of, TLG12 Worcestershire CC, TLG22 Shropshire, TLK13 Gloucestershire CC, TLL21 Monmouthshire and Newport, TLL24 Powys

Local Authority
Herefordshire, County of
Electoral Ward
Widemarsh
Westminster Constituency
Hereford and South Herefordshire

Further Information

Notice Documents

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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