Tender

Flexible Learning Support Framework

DUDLEY METROPOLITAN BOROUGH COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Tender

27 Feb 2026 at 14:21

UK4 - Tender Notice
Planning

29 May 2025 at 14:09

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council is currently conducting an active procurement process for a Flexible Learning Support Framework aimed at enhancing the educational provision for children, young people, and young adults in Dudley. This tender is categorised under 'Education and training services', and has a procurement method identified as 'open' using a Competitive Flexible Procedure. The council is establishing a pseudo Dynamic Purchasing System, which involves an initial admission phase followed by call-off stages and will later reopen for continuous applications. The deadline for submission of tenders is set for 27th March 2026, with an enquiry period ending on 16th March 2026. The framework primarily targets providers capable of delivering education and support services in Dudley, UK.

This tender presents significant opportunities for growth for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), voluntary, community, and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations, and local providers. By joining the framework, businesses can participate in delivering high-quality, flexible, and accessible learning opportunities for diverse learners, including those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) needs. Ideal participants include education providers, specialist support services, and organisations offering vocational training and life-skills opportunities. The framework encourages innovation and partnership, positioning businesses to contribute positively to the social value and educational outcomes within the community. Given the emphasis on local needs and adaptability, companies with expertise in safeguarding, quality assurance, and effective partnership working are particularly suited to compete.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Flexible Learning Support Framework

Notice Description

Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council is setting up a Flexible Learning Support Framework to provide high-quality education and support for children, young people, and young adults who need alternative, additional, or specialist provision. The aim is to make sure every learner can access flexible, personalised support that helps them stay engaged, improve their wellbeing, make progress, and achieve positive long-term outcomes. We welcome a wide range of providers to apply. This includes education providers, alternative provision settings, specialist support services, training organisations, community and voluntary groups, therapeutic practitioners, employers, and organisations offering vocational, employability, or life-skills opportunities. We particularly encourage applications from small and medium-sized organisations (SMEs), voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations, and local providers. This framework is part of the Council's wider work to improve the availability, quality, and choice of education and support services across Dudley. We want services that respond to local needs, meet statutory responsibilities, and create positive social value for children, families, and the wider community. Providers on the framework will need to demonstrate strong safeguarding, effective partnership working, good quality assurance processes, and a commitment to ongoing improvement. We are looking for forward-thinking providers who can deliver accessible, high-quality support that helps children and young people achieve their potential and move successfully into education, employment, training, or independent adulthood. The Council reserves the right to use the powers available to it under Section 21 of the Procurement Act 2023 and Schedule 8, paragraph 1(a) of the Procurement Act 2023. This includes the Council's ability under Section 21 PA23 to issue tender notices and associated tender documents as required for the lawful conduct of the procurement process, as well as its ability under Schedule 8, paragraph 1(a) PA23 to make permitted contract modifications without commencing a new procurement procedure, where such modifications meet the statutory conditions.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: available extension of up to 5 years

Planning Information

Dudley MBC is seeking input from education and training providers, special schools, alternative provision specialists, and other relevant stakeholders to help shape the framework. We would like to hear from providers that offer specialist bespoke services that can support our children and young people. We would like to hear from all types of organisations, and companies that can become part of a wider offer. Interested organisations are invited to participate in a market engagement event where the council will provide further information about the project, listen to ideas and thoughts from providers, to help us shape future plans. It will be an opportunity to find out what the council are looking for and how you might even be able to offer something different. Market Engagement Event Details: - Date: 10.06.2025 - Time: 10.00am - 12.30pm divided into two 1 hour sessions (10.00am - 11.00am & 11.30am - 12.30pm). - Location: Online Teams meetings Organisations interested in participating in the market engagement event and receiving further updates on the framework development should register their interest by contacting: Emma Wilkes - emma.wilkes@dudley.gov.uk by the deadline of 09/06/2025. This preliminary market engagement notice is for information-gathering purposes only and does not guarantee inclusion in any future procurement process. Dudley MBC reserves the right to amend or withdraw the proposed procurement at any time Participation or non-participation in the preliminary market engagement notice process shall not prevent any supplier participating in a potential future procurement, nor is it intended that any information supplied as part of the pre-procurement process shall place any supplier at an advantage in a potential procurement process. Participation in the pre-procurement market engagement procurement process will be at each supplier's own cost. No expense in responding to this process will be reimbursed by the Council. This is not a call for competition. We encourage all interested providers to engage with us to help shape a framework that best meets the needs of learners across Dudley.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0528ff
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/017976-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Planning, Tender

Procurement Classification

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

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

80 - Education and training services

CPV Codes

80000000 - Education and training services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£68,500,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
£68,500,000 £10M-£100M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
27 Feb 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
27 Mar 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
9 Jun 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Aug 2026 - 31 Aug 2029 3-4 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
DUDLEY METROPOLITAN BOROUGH 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
DUDLEY
Postcode
DY1 1HF
Post Town
Dudley
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLG West Midlands (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLG3 West Midlands
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLG36 Dudley
Delivery Location
TLG36 Dudley
Local Authority
Dudley
Electoral Ward
St. James's
Westminster Constituency
Dudley

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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