Tender

Independent Complaints Adjudication Services for Ofsted

DEPARTMENT FOR EDUCATION

This public procurement record has 4 releases in its history.

TenderCancellation

15 Aug 2025 at 13:30

UK12 - Procurement Termination Notice
Tender

14 Aug 2025 at 16:44

UK4 - Tender Notice
PlanningUpdate

31 Jul 2025 at 10:50

UK3 - Planned Procurement Notice
Planning

31 Jul 2025 at 10:48

UK3 - Planned Procurement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Department for Education is seeking to contract a supplier to deliver the "Independent Complaints Adjudication Services for Ofsted". This tender, classified under the business and management consultancy sector, is located in the United Kingdom and is currently at the tender stage. The procurement process follows an open procedure and the main procurement category is services. Key dates to note include the end of the tender period on 19 September 2025, with the award period concluding on 1 October 2025. The contract, valued at up to £150,000 inclusive of VAT, is structured to commence on 1 November 2025 and conclude by 31 October 2028, with the possibility of renewal.

This tender presents a notable opportunity for businesses specialising in advisory and consultancy services, particularly those with expertise in handling and adjudicating complaints. It is an advantageous prospect for firms willing to engage with public authorities and provide a critical evaluation of institutional processes. The open procedure increases the accessibility for a range of businesses to compete, offering an equitable platform to capitalise on government contracts that demand transparency and accountability. Companies with a robust capacity for independent assessment and reporting will find themselves well-suited to fulfil the requirements of this contract, driving potential business growth within the public sector.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Independent Complaints Adjudication Services for Ofsted

Notice Description

The Department for Education (DfE) requires a supplier to provide an independent adjudication service in relation to Ofsted's handling of complaints about its work including: handling individual complaints, the provision of advice, regular reporting regarding the volume and nature of the complaint, and publication of an annual report. The adjudication service is independent of Ofsted. Conclusions and recommendations are independent of both Ofsted and DfE. The supplier will refer to the service as the Independent Complaints Adjudication Service for Ofsted (ICASO) and is required to identify themselves as the supplier of this service and provide information regarding the service with a webpage that can be referred to on Ofsted's webpage.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: if deemed necessary by the department and OFSTED

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-056a04
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/049173-2025
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Planning, Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK12 - Procurement Termination Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

CPV Codes

79400000 - Business and management consultancy and related services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£125,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
£125,000 £100K-£500K
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
15 Aug 20256 months ago
Submission Deadline
19 Sep 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
11 Aug 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Nov 2025 - 31 Oct 2028 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Cancelled
Lots Status
Cancelled
Awards Status
Cancelled
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
DEPARTMENT FOR EDUCATION
Additional Buyers

MISSING

Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
policyassurance.commercialqueries@education.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
LONDON
Postcode
SW1P 3BT
Post Town
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

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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