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con_27599 - Children's Social Care Private Dashboard Early Adopters Scheme: Pilot CMS API

Department for Education

This public procurement record has 4 releases in its history.

Award

13 Jan 2026 at 10:55

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Award

14 Aug 2025 at 16:42

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Award

02 Jul 2025 at 10:33

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Award

15 May 2025 at 15:46

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Department for Education, located at Sanctuary Buildings, Great Smith Street in London, is overseeing a procurement project titled "Children's Social Care Private Dashboard Early Adopters Scheme: Pilot CMS API." This procurement initiative falls under the IT services industry category and aims to modernise Children's Social Care data collections by implementing a pilot scheme. The project involves testing automated data ingestion and is structured to collaborate with local authorities and case management system suppliers. It will use a direct award procurement method, justified under Schedule 5 of the Procurement Act 2023, focusing on prototypes and development. The awarded contract started on 12 January 2026 and will span 18 months, ending on 11 July 2027, involving an active contract with LIQUIDLOGIC LIMITED to facilitate timely data access and analysis. The contract is valued at £291,840 gross, with a net value of £243,200.

This procurement creates substantial growth opportunities for businesses specialising in IT services, particularly those with capabilities in API development and data systems integration. It is well-suited for companies like LIQUIDLOGIC LIMITED, which have existing relationships with local authorities and necessary data permissions, ensuring compliance and compatibility with project objectives. The pilot project, through its focus on scalability and efficiency, will also appeal to businesses looking to establish themselves in public service sectors, as it sets the foundation for future broader implementations based on its success. The initiative supports businesses in gaining insights into the viability and scalability of solutions that can subsequently be scaled up following this pilot phase.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

con_27599 - Children's Social Care Private Dashboard Early Adopters Scheme: Pilot CMS API

Notice Description

The Department is launching an early adopter pilot scheme as part of its work to modernise Children's Social Care (CSC) data collections. The goal is to address longstanding inefficiencies in existing annual data collection processes by assessing the feasibility, scalability, and value of the department's newly developed application programming interface (API). The pilot will test automated data ingestion, working collaboratively with a sample of local authorities (LAs) and case management system (CMS) suppliers to allow for more timely data access, and analysis. Data will flow into a private access version of the CSC dashboard, facilitating measurement of children's social care outcomes. Key objectives include: 1. Assessing the burden and cost implications for LAs and DfE when implementing more timely data flows. 2. Evaluating the accuracy of data extracted through the API. 3. Determining the scalability of the solution for potential implementation across all LAs. This initiative supports the CSC reform agenda and the Keeping Children Safe Mission by addressing critical data gaps, enabling faster benchmarking of National Framework indicators, and improving access to timely, evidence-based insights.

Procurement Information

The Department has entered into a contract to support the delivery of the early adopter scheme, a pilot designed to modernise the collection of children's social care (CSC) data. The DfE relies on the justification at para. 2 (Prototypes & Development) of Schedule 5 to the Procurement Act 2023 for the direct award of this contract. This pilot involves the testing of a newly developed DfE automated infrastructure to assess the suitability and scalability of automated data flows and timely data access for CSC. The supplier will be required to develop a bespoke technical solution to connect to the newly developed DfE system and enable data transfers. The contract will enable the connection between the selected supplier systems and the DfE API, allowing data to flow between a sample local authority to the private CSC dashboard. The outputs of contract delivery will support research into the feasibility of producing and supplying frequent CSC data at scale, while assessing data quality, technical viability, and burdens on both DfE and local authorities. The duration of the contract will be 18 months, which includes the time needed for the supplier to connect to departmental infrastructure and a 12-month period for data ingestion, due to commence April 2026. It is necessary for data ingestion to run over statutory collection cycles, as it will provide insights into how this technical solution compares to existing statutory returns. Conducting a full competition would have introduced disproportionate costs and delays, given the limited number of suppliers with the necessary data permissions and the need to ensure timely delivery of the pilot's objectives. It would also potentially have wasted public funds in the event that the technical solution does not work as envisaged. The decision to award this contract ensures the pilot progresses efficiently and provides the insights needed to inform decisions on future scalability. The supplier selected for this pilot is able to provide the required solution as they hold existing contracts with local authorities and have the necessary permissions to access CSC data, ensuring compatibility with the pilot's objectives and timelines. The supplier selected demonstrated alignment with the pilot's objectives and timescales, providing a solution that represents proportional value for the scope and purpose of the pilot. Following the conclusion of the pilot, if the solution is proven viable and scalable, the Department will consider conducting a competitive procurement process for broader implementation.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0514da
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/002544-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Direct award
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large, SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

72 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

CPV Codes

72000000 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£387,500 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
£333,200 £100K-£500K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
13 Jan 20267 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
1 May 20251 years ago
Contract Period
12 Jan 2026 - 11 Jul 2027 1-2 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

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
LONDON
Postcode
SW1P 3BT
Postcode Area
South West London
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI3 Inner London - West
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI35 Westminster and City of London
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Westminster
Electoral Ward
St James's
Westminster Constituency
Cities of London and Westminster

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
2
Supplier Names

Azeus UK Limited

Liquidlogic Limited

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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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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