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Independent and Non-Maintained Special Schools (INMSS) Open Framework (CN260427)

Kent County Council

This public procurement record has 4 releases in its history.

Award

11 Jun 2026 at 14:26

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Tender

30 Jan 2026 at 15:39

UK4 - Tender Notice
PlanningUpdate

06 Nov 2025 at 13:24

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

13 May 2025 at 16:18

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Kent County Council is behind the establishment of a new Independent and Non-Maintained Special Schools (INMSS) Open Framework to replace the current NMISS Dynamic Purchasing System upon its expiration on 31 August 2026. This initiative aims to support the education placements for children and young people with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) requiring specific needs that mainstream or maintained special school settings cannot accommodate. The Framework starts on 1 September 2026, running initially for four years with possible extensions yielding a total duration of up to eight years. With an estimated maximum value of £876 million, the procurement is conducted under a Competitive Flexible Procedure, featuring a two-lot structure to allocate contracts. The procurement stage has advanced to the award status as of 11 June 2026, with a standstill period ending on 23 June 2026.

This tender presents extensive opportunities not only for large organisations but also for SMEs specialised in educational services who can meet stringent quality, safeguarding, and compliance standards. Businesses with the capability of providing tailored educational services for children with complex needs and those with the potential for strategic collaboration with Kent County Council have significant scope here. The competitive process involves a participation phase followed by an invitation to tender, ensuring that providers achieving a high-quality threshold can be allocated to Lot A as Strategic Partners or Lot B as Approved Providers. Thus, enterprises in the education sector, particularly those that aim to innovate and enhance service delivery, may find this framework immensely rewarding for their growth trajectory.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Independent and Non-Maintained Special Schools (INMSS) Open Framework (CN260427)

Notice Description

Kent County Council (KCC) is establishing a new Independent and Non-Maintained Special Schools (INMSS) Open Framework (reference CN260427) to replace the existing NMISS Dynamic Purchasing System when it expires on 31 August 2026. The Framework will support the placement of children and young people with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) whose needs cannot be met in mainstream or maintained special school settings, ensuring continuity of provision and compliance with the Procurement Act 2023. The Framework will commence on 1 September 2026 for an initial period of 4 years, with potential extensions up to another 4 years, and an estimated maximum total value of PS876 million across the full term. It aims to improve outcomes, strengthen quality assurance, enhance pricing transparency, and secure better value for money while ensuring placements remain focused on children with the most complex needs. Provision under this Framework includes Independent Special Schools (both Section 41 and non-Section 41) and Non-Maintained Special Schools. Providers must be appropriately registered with Ofsted or the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) and must meet statutory and contractual quality, safeguarding, and compliance requirements. The Framework uses a two-lot structure: Lot A - Strategic Partners, for Tenderers meeting a higher quality threshold and capable of close strategic collaboration with KCC, including potential consideration for longer-term arrangements such as block contracting. Lot B - Approved Providers, meeting the standard quality threshold. The procurement will be conducted via a Competitive Flexible Procedure, comprising a Conditions of Participation Stage followed by an Invitation to Tender for shortlisted providers. Quality evaluation thresholds will determine allocation to Lots. For full details, all suppliers must access the opportunity through the Kent Business Portal and download the complete document pack: https://www.kentbusinessportal.org.uk/

Lot Information

Strategic Partners

Renewal: A possibility for four possible contract extension of up to 4 year(s) (12 months each)

Approved Providers

Renewal: A possibility for four possible contract extension of up to 4 year(s) (12 months each)

Planning Information

Invitation to Providers We invite all interested suppliers to register on the Kent Business Portal (https://www.kentbusinessportal.org.uk/) Once registered, providers can express their interest by emailing inclusion@kent.gov.uk and the invitation will be shared.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-051257
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/055271-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Planning, Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Dynamic, Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Competitive flexible procedure
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Large, SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

80 - Education and training services

CPV Codes

80100000 - Primary education services

80200000 - Secondary education services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£876,000,000 £100M-£1B
Lots Value
£876,000,000 £100M-£1B
Awards Value
£876,000,000 £100M-£1B
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
11 Jun 20262 months ago
Submission Deadline
13 Feb 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
31 Jan 2026Expired
Award Date
11 Jun 20262 months ago
Contract Period
1 Sep 2026 - 31 Aug 2030 4-5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Pending
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Kent County Council
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
MAIDSTONE
Postcode
ME14 1XQ
Postcode Area
Rochester
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ4 Kent
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ45 Mid Kent
Delivery Location
TLJ4 Kent
Local Authority
Maidstone
Electoral Ward
Penenden Heath
Westminster Constituency
Maidstone and Malling

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
33
Supplier Names

ALP Schools Limited

ASD LEARNING LIMITED

ASPRIS CHILDREN'S SERVICES LIMITED

ATRIUM EDUCATION LTD

Acorn Norfolk Ltd

Barnardo Services Limited

Blue Skies School Ltd

CARMICHAEL EDUCATION LIMITED

CHALKHILL FARM YOUTH ACTIVITIES LIMITED

CURLY'S LEGACY

Compass Community Schools Limited

Cross Keys Learning Limited

ELMLEY DRAY CIC

Earley Springs School

GREAT OAKS SMALL SCHOOL

HORIZON CARE AND EDUCATION GROUP LIMITED

INTEGRATED SERVICES PROGRAMME

KINGS PARK SCHOOL LIMITED

L&P EDUCATIONAL SERVICES LTD

LIFE SKILLS ENTERPRISES LIMITED

LIFE SKILLS MANOR LTD

MAGIC (UK) LIMITED

N R EDUCATION LTD

OMG EIS LTD

OPTIONS AUTISM (7) LIMITED

OUTCOMES FIRST GROUP (OPERATIONS) 1 LIMITED

RIPPLEVALE SCHOOL LIMITED

RIPPLEVALE SCHOOL ROCHESTER LTD

THE QUEST SCHOOL

THE VIEW SCHOOL LIMITED

The Sallygate School Limited

WITHERSLACK GROUP LIMITED

YEW TREE FARM SCHOOL C.I.C.

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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