Award

USW - Award of Educational Disability Assessment Services

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH WALES

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

06 Aug 2025 at 10:02

Tender

19 May 2025 at 14:36

Summary of the contracting process

The University of South Wales, located in Pontypridd, is overseeing a procurement process to provide educational neurodiversity assessment services aimed at supporting neurodivergent learners. This tender falls under the category of services, specifically within higher education and health services. The procurement follows an open procedure and has progressed to the award stage, with the contract anticipated to commence on 26 August 2025 and conclude on 25 August 2028. The awarded contract stands with People Asset Management Limited, valued at £475,000 net or £570,000 gross, subject to a standstill period ending 15 August 2025. The procurement aligns with Welsh devolved regulations, underscoring compliance with local rules.

This tender offers substantial opportunities for businesses skilled in delivering tailored and inclusive educational assessment services for neurodivergent individuals, including learners with conditions such as dyslexia, ADHD, and autism spectrum disorders. Large-scale businesses are well-positioned to compete, given the contract's wide scope for providing high-quality assessments and aligning with standards of diagnostic precision and process efficiency. Businesses that can demonstrate expertise in scalable operations, compliance with data protection laws, and a commitment to social value, as reflected in the Wellbeing of Future Generations Act (Wales) 2015, will find this tender particularly rewarding for growth in the educational services sector. The contract also endorses working towards inclusive and supportive environments, offering a profound impact on educational institutions through comprehensive diagnostics and post-assessment support.

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Notice Title

USW - Award of Educational Disability Assessment Services

Notice Description

The University of South Wales intends to award a contract for the provision of educational neurodiversity assessment services. The successful supplier will deliver specialist assessments to identify and support neurodivergent learners, including but not limited to those with dyslexia, ADHD, autism spectrum conditions, and other specific learning differences. The services aim to inform tailored educational support and promote inclusive learning environments across the institution.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-051757
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/046425-2025
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

80 - Education and training services

85 - Health and social work services


CPV Codes

80300000 - Higher education services

80430000 - Adult-education services at university level

85000000 - Health and social work services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£480,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
£480,000 £100K-£500K
Awards Value
£475,000 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
6 Aug 20256 months ago
Submission Deadline
16 Jun 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
31 Jul 20256 months ago
Contract Period
25 Aug 2025 - 25 Aug 2028 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH WALES
Contact Name
Claire Thomas, Gemma Selway
Contact Email
claire.thomas1@southwales.ac.uk, gemma.selway@southwales.ac.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
PONTYPRIDD
Postcode
CF37 1DL
Post Town
Cardiff
Country
Wales

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLL Wales
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLL5 South East Wales
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLL51 Central Valleys and Bridgend
Delivery Location
TLL15 Central Valleys

Local Authority
Rhondda Cynon Taf
Electoral Ward
Treforest
Westminster Constituency
Pontypridd

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

PEOPLE ASSET MANAGEMENT

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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                            "name": "Question 1 - Service Delivery & Process efficiency: Process - 10%",
                            "description": "Describe in detail your proposed system and process for submitting, managing, and tracking assessment referrals. Your response should address the following points: System Access and User Roles: Explain how staff will access the system, including user account setup, role-based permissions, and authentication methods. Referral Submission Process: Describe the end-to-end process for submitting a referral, including what information is required, how forms or supporting evidence are uploaded, and how long it takes to complete a typical submission. Case Tracking and Communication: Outline how users are kept informed of case progress (e.g., acknowledgements, status updates, appointment scheduling), and whether schools can track the status of each referral in real-time"
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                            "description": "Please describe your process for ensuring both the initial contact with referred students and the scheduling of full assessment appointments are completed within the required timeframes. Your response should address the following: Initial Contact: Explain how you ensure first contact with the referred student is made within 5 working days of receiving the referral, including the communication methods used and how you prioritise this process. Scheduling Full Assessments: Describe your approach for ensuring that full assessment appointments are scheduled and completed within 20 working days of initial contact, and how you manage this process across multiple referrals. Monitoring and Tracking: Outline how you track and monitor these timelines to ensure compliance with the 5-day and 20-day timeframes, including any automated or manual systems used to flag potential delays. Contingency and Mitigation Plans: Provide details of the contingency plans in place for peak periods or unforeseen delays (e.g., staff shortages, high demand) to maintain compliance with these timeframes. Include examples of how you've successfully managed similar challenges in past contracts or services. Performance Data: Show evidence of your ability to meet the 5-day and 20-day deadlines, such as performance data, case studies, or key performance indicators (KPIs) from similar services you have delivered. (Performance data can be attached separately).\""
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                            "description": "Please explain how you plan to scale your operations to meet the estimated demand of 400 assessments per academic year, with particular emphasis on handling peak periods (August-December). Your response should include: Capacity and Resources: Detail the resources (staff, technology, infrastructure) you will allocate to meet this demand, including how you ensure consistent service delivery during high-demand periods. Scalability Measures: Describe how your operations can be scaled effectively, both in terms of personnel and processes, to handle large volumes of assessments, particularly during peak months. Contingency Planning: Outline any contingency plans in place for addressing unexpected spikes in demand or operational challenges that could impact your ability to deliver assessments on time. Evidence of Past Scalability: Provide examples or data from previous contracts or services demonstrating your ability to scale your operations and meet similar volumes of demand without compromising quality or timelines. (Data can be attached separately)."
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                            "description": "Please describe the measures you will implement to ensure students can track the status of their assessment, retrieve their assessment report (within 5 working days of the assessment), and access post-assessment feedback, as well as onward support resources or signposting. Your response should cover the following: Tracking Assessment Status: Detail the process or system in place that allows students (and/or relevant staff) to track the status of their assessment, from referral through to completion. Include how students are notified of any changes to their status or delays. Report Access and Delivery: Explain how students can retrieve their assessment report, ensuring it is available within the 5-working-day timeframe. Discuss the platform or method used for secure delivery (e.g., secure portal, email) and how you ensure confidentiality. Post-Assessment Feedback and Support: Describe how students will receive personalised post-assessment feedback and the range of onward support services or resources (e.g., signposting to educational support, mental health services) available to them after the assessment is complete. Examples of Solution Capabilities: Provide specific examples of how your solution has enabled previous clients to navigate the assessment process effectively, particularly in terms of student engagement, tracking, report retrieval, and post-assessment support. Include any data or client feedback that highlights the success of your system."
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                            "type": "quality",
                            "name": "Question 5 - Technical and Platform Requirements: Data Protection- 10%",
                            "description": "Please describe your approach to ensuring the secure handling of personal and special category data in compliance with UK Data Protection Legislation (including GDPR). Your response should cover the following areas: Secure Digital Referral and Data Sharing: Detail your secure digital referral mechanism, including how it facilitates two-way data sharing with the University. Explain how the system ensures GDPR compliance and data security, including access controls, encryption methods, and auditing capabilities. Describe how your system reduces the risk of manual data entry errors and ensures the accuracy and efficiency of student record integration. Organisational Data Protection Approach: Outline your organisational approach to ensuring compliance with UK Data Protection Legislation, particularly when handling personal and special category data. Include details on your data protection policies, staff training programs, and accountability measures that ensure compliance across the service. Provide information about your incident response procedures, including how you address potential data protection breaches. Data Retention and Secure Deletion: Describe your data retention policy and how you manage secure data deletion to comply with university policies, legal requirements, and audit standards. Does your platform support scheduled data deletion, and if so, how is this managed? Data Breach Notification: Explain your process for notifying the University of a data breach involving student data, including timelines for notification (without undue delay). Provide examples from previous contracts or services that demonstrate your experience in managing data breaches, including the outcome and steps taken to prevent future incidents."
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                            "name": "Question 6 - Technical & Platform Requirements: Accessibility & Inclusivity - 10%",
                            "description": "Please describe how your solution is designed to meet digital accessibility and inclusion standards. Your response should cover the following areas: Digital Accessibility Statement: Provide a clear digital accessibility statement for your platform, including compliance with relevant accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG 2.1, ADA, or Section 508). Include details on how you ensure accessibility across different devices (e.g., desktop, mobile) and browsers. Inclusive Design Features: Explain how your platform is inclusively designed to accommodate diverse user needs. This should cover: Visual Accessibility: Tools for visually impaired users (e.g., screen reader compatibility, adjustable text sizes, high-contrast modes). Cognitive Accessibility: Features for neurodiverse users, such as simple navigation, clear language, or customisable interfaces. Hearing Accessibility: Options for users with hearing impairments, such as captioning or visual cues. Physical Accessibility: Solutions for users with motor impairments, like keyboard navigation or voice control options. Access to Resources and Tools: Describe the specific accessibility tools integrated into the platform (e.g., alternative text for images, adjustable font sizes, color contrast adjustments) that support diverse user groups in accessing educational resources and content. Ongoing Accessibility Testing and Improvement: Explain how you regularly test your platform for accessibility and inclusion, and what steps you take to address emerging accessibility issues. Include any third-party audits or certifications your platform has undergone. Examples and Impact: Provide examples or case studies where your platform has been used successfully by a diverse range of users, including those with disabilities or specific needs. Include any feedback or outcomes that demonstrate how your solution has facilitated equal access for all users."
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                            "name": "Social Value -10%",
                            "description": "In line with USW's commitment to the Wellbeing of Future Generations Act (Wales) 2015, this document provides Bidders with an opportunity to present how their organisation can support the University of South Wales in delivering against these objectives. The Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act is about improving the social, economic, environmental and cultural well-being of Wales. For further guidance please see \"Guide to the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015\" within the Tender Documents. Bidders are requested to provide details of their Social Value proposal (throughout the life of the contract and beyond) and to set targets against the measures that have been identified in line with the Wellbeing of Future Generations Act (Wales) 2015. Please only outline initatives and social value contributions that are anticipated as a direct result of being awarded this contract (if successful) and not what your organisation does as a whole. Upon award of the contract, these metrics are intended to be used as KPI's and the successful Bidder will be expected to report against delivery of these periodically. Social Value Metrics - 5% This tab enables bidders to set a target against specific measures, aligned to the 7 themes identified in the Wellbeing of Future Generations Act (Wales) 2015. Please add your target into the yellow cell found in 'Column I' for each of the measures. The unit of measure to apply is identified in Column G, and this target will then be multiplied by the 'proxy' in 'Column H' to provide a total 'Social Value Contribution figure'. This total value will then be evaluated as per the Evaluation Criteria outlined in the ITT. Where the term \"Local\" is used, this is defined as the geographical area of Wales. Social Value Method Statements - 5% This tab enables bidders to demonstrate what initiatives they intend to put in place in order to deliver Social Value as a part of this contract. Please provide a method statement that outlines the initiatives as well as provide details around how they will be managed and furthermore, how progress will be tracked. Example Initiatives are provided. This will be evaluated in line with the methodology contained within the ITT."
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                            "name": "Total Cost - 20%",
                            "description": "Please use the pricing document titled \"USW - 1981 - Educational Disability Assessment Services - Pricing Schedule\" in the Tender Pricing Schedule Folder of the attachments section, to illustrate the breakdown of the costs for this tender. Please input your total cost to fulfil the requirement here."
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                            "type": "quality",
                            "name": "Question 7 - Diagnostic Assessment Standards: Qualifications and Compliance - 5%",
                            "description": "Provide evidence that your assessors hold relevant qualifications and registrations (e.g., Educational Psychologists BPS/HCPC or specialist teacher assessors with APC). How do you ensure continuous compliance with CPD, DBS checks, and insurance requirements?"
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "quality",
                            "name": "Question 8 - Diagnostic Assessment Standards: Adherence to Guidelines- 5%",
                            "description": "Please explain how your assessments will adhere to the SASC-STEC referenced SpLD Working Party Guidelines. Your response should cover the following: Alignment with SASC-STEC Guidelines: Describe how your assessment process and methodologies are aligned with the SASC-STEC SpLD Working Party Guidelines for specific learning difficulties (SpLD). Highlight any key aspects of the guidelines (e.g., assessment protocols, eligibility criteria) that your service incorporates. Assessment Tools and Methodologies: Provide details of the tools and methodologies you use to conduct neurodiversity assessments, ensuring that they are in line with the SASC-STEC guidelines. Include any specific diagnostic tools, psychometric assessments, or observational techniques that are used to ensure robust, evidence-based conclusions. Quality Control and Assurance: Explain the quality control measures you have in place to ensure the assessments meet the highest standards of accuracy, reliability, and fairness, as outlined in the guidelines. Describe how you monitor and evaluate the quality of assessments to ensure they remain consistent with SASC-STEC requirements, and any audits or reviews you conduct. Provide a sample diagnostic report with your response. (Sample report can be attached separately)."
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