Notice Information
Notice Title
Independent Complaints Adjudication Service for OFSTED (ICASO)
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. The DfE is keen to maximise opportunities to participate in procurement for Small to Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) and Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprises (VCSEs). Consideration will also be given to consortia and collaborative bids from all forms of organisations.
Lot Information
Lot 1
Renewal: The contract shall run from the effective date for an initial period of 3 years (the contract period) with an option to extend for up to 12 months reviewed at the end of the 3 year period if required.
Notice Details
Publication & Lifecycle
- Open Contracting ID
- ocds-h6vhtk-058a9f
- Publication Source
- Find A Tender Service
- Latest Notice
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/068259-2025
- Current Stage
- Award
- All Stages
- Tender, Award
Procurement Classification
- Notice Type
- UK7 - Contract Details Notice
- Procurement Type
- Standard
- Procurement Category
- Services
- Procurement Method
- Open
- Procurement Method Details
- Open procedure
- Tender Suitability
- Not specified
- Awardee Scale
- SME
Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)
- CPV Divisions
79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security
-
- CPV Codes
79422000 - Arbitration and conciliation services
Notice Value(s)
- Tender Value
- £125,000 £100K-£500K
- Lots Value
- £125,000 £100K-£500K
- Awards Value
- £124,500 £100K-£500K
- Contracts Value
- £124,500 £100K-£500K
Notice Dates
- Publication Date
- 24 Oct 20254 months ago
- Submission Deadline
- 17 Sep 2025Expired
- Future Notice Date
- Not specified
- Award Date
- 25 Sep 20255 months ago
- Contract Period
- 1 Nov 2025 - 31 Oct 2028 3-4 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
- Not specified
- Contact Email
- commercial.helpdesk@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
-
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/068259-2025
24th October 2025 - Contract details notice on Find a Tender -
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/061681-2025
2nd October 2025 - Contract award notice on Find a Tender -
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/049873-2025
19th August 2025 - Tender notice on Find a Tender
Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)
View full OCDS Record for this contracting process
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.
{
"tag": [
"compiled"
],
"id": "ocds-h6vhtk-058a9f-2025-10-24T14:59:30+01:00",
"date": "2025-10-24T14:59:30+01:00",
"ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-058a9f",
"initiationType": "tender",
"parties": [
{
"id": "GB-PPON-PDZG-3487-DPVD",
"name": "Department for Education",
"identifier": {
"scheme": "GB-PPON",
"id": "PDZG-3487-DPVD"
},
"address": {
"streetAddress": "Sanctuary Buildings, 20 Great Smith Street",
"locality": "London",
"postalCode": "SW1P3BT",
"country": "GB",
"countryName": "United Kingdom",
"region": "UKI32"
},
"contactPoint": {
"email": "Commercial.Helpdesk@education.gov.uk"
},
"roles": [
"buyer"
],
"details": {
"classifications": [
{
"scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE",
"id": "publicAuthorityCentralGovernment",
"description": "Public authority - central government"
}
]
}
},
{
"id": "GB-PPON-PBPR-5822-DRBQ",
"name": "CEDR Services Limited",
"identifier": {
"scheme": "GB-PPON",
"id": "PBPR-5822-DRBQ"
},
"address": {
"streetAddress": "100 St. Paul's Churchyard",
"locality": "London",
"postalCode": "EC4M 8BU",
"country": "GB",
"countryName": "United Kingdom",
"region": "UKI31"
},
"contactPoint": {
"email": "info@cedr.com"
},
"roles": [
"supplier"
],
"details": {
"scale": "sme",
"vcse": false,
"publicServiceMissionOrganization": false,
"shelteredWorkshop": false
}
}
],
"buyer": {
"id": "GB-PPON-PDZG-3487-DPVD",
"name": "Department for Education"
},
"planning": {
"noEngagementNoticeRationale": "Shortened timescales"
},
"tender": {
"id": "Project_9994",
"legalBasis": {
"id": "2023/54",
"scheme": "UKPGA",
"uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents"
},
"title": "Independent Complaints Adjudication Service for OFSTED (ICASO)",
"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. The DfE is keen to maximise opportunities to participate in procurement for Small to Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) and Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprises (VCSEs). Consideration will also be given to consortia and collaborative bids from all forms of organisations.",
"status": "complete",
"items": [
{
"id": "1",
"additionalClassifications": [
{
"scheme": "CPV",
"id": "79422000",
"description": "Arbitration and conciliation services"
}
],
"relatedLot": "1"
}
],
"value": {
"amountGross": 150000,
"amount": 125000,
"currency": "GBP"
},
"procurementMethod": "open",
"procurementMethodDetails": "Open procedure",
"mainProcurementCategory": "services",
"aboveThreshold": true,
"submissionMethodDetails": "https://education.app.jaggaer.com/web/login.html Tenderers will need to register via the address above",
"submissionTerms": {
"electronicSubmissionPolicy": "allowed",
"languages": [
"en"
]
},
"tenderPeriod": {
"endDate": "2025-09-17T12:00:00+01:00"
},
"enquiryPeriod": {
"endDate": "2025-09-10T12:00:00+01:00"
},
"awardPeriod": {
"endDate": "2025-09-25T23:59:59+01:00"
},
"lots": [
{
"id": "1",
"status": "complete",
"value": {
"amountGross": 150000,
"amount": 125000,
"currency": "GBP"
},
"awardCriteria": {
"criteria": [
{
"type": "quality",
"name": "Technical",
"numbers": [
{
"number": 80,
"weight": "percentageExact"
}
]
},
{
"type": "price",
"name": "Commercial",
"numbers": [
{
"number": 20,
"weight": "percentageExact"
}
]
}
]
},
"contractPeriod": {
"startDate": "2025-11-01T00:00:00+00:00",
"endDate": "2028-10-31T23:59:59+00:00",
"maxExtentDate": "2029-10-31T23:59:59+00:00"
},
"hasRenewal": true,
"renewal": {
"description": "The contract shall run from the effective date for an initial period of 3 years (the contract period) with an option to extend for up to 12 months reviewed at the end of the 3 year period if required."
}
}
],
"documents": [
{
"id": "conflictOfInterest",
"documentType": "conflictOfInterest",
"description": "Not published"
},
{
"id": "049873-2025",
"documentType": "tenderNotice",
"noticeType": "UK4",
"description": "Tender notice on Find a Tender",
"url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/049873-2025",
"datePublished": "2025-08-19T14:50:13+01:00",
"format": "text/html"
}
]
},
"language": "en",
"bids": {
"statistics": [
{
"id": "1",
"measure": "bids",
"value": 2,
"relatedLot": "1"
},
{
"id": "2",
"measure": "finalStageBids",
"value": 2,
"relatedLot": "1"
},
{
"id": "3",
"measure": "smeFinalStageBids",
"value": 2,
"relatedLot": "1"
},
{
"id": "4",
"measure": "vcseFinalStageBids",
"value": 0,
"relatedLot": "1"
}
]
},
"awards": [
{
"id": "1",
"title": "Independent Complaints Adjudication Service for OFSTED (ICASO)",
"status": "active",
"date": "2025-09-26T00:00:00+01:00",
"value": {
"amountGross": 149400,
"amount": 124500,
"currency": "GBP"
},
"mainProcurementCategory": "services",
"aboveThreshold": true,
"suppliers": [
{
"id": "GB-PPON-PBPR-5822-DRBQ",
"name": "CEDR Services Limited"
}
],
"items": [
{
"id": "1",
"additionalClassifications": [
{
"scheme": "CPV",
"id": "79422000",
"description": "Arbitration and conciliation services"
}
],
"deliveryAddresses": [
{
"region": "UK",
"country": "GB",
"countryName": "United Kingdom"
},
{
"region": "UK",
"country": "GB",
"countryName": "United Kingdom"
}
],
"relatedLot": "1"
}
],
"standstillPeriod": {
"endDate": "2025-10-13T23:59:59+01:00"
},
"contractPeriod": {
"startDate": "2025-11-01T00:00:00+00:00",
"endDate": "2028-10-31T23:59:59+00:00",
"maxExtentDate": "2029-10-31T23:59:59+00:00"
},
"hasRenewal": true,
"renewal": {
"description": "The contract shall run from the effective date for an initial period of 3 years (the contract period) with an option to extend for up to 12 months reviewed at the end of the 3 year period if required."
},
"relatedLots": [
"1"
],
"documents": [
{
"id": "061681-2025",
"documentType": "awardNotice",
"noticeType": "UK6",
"description": "Contract award notice on Find a Tender",
"url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/061681-2025",
"datePublished": "2025-10-02T12:49:22+01:00",
"format": "text/html"
}
],
"assessmentSummariesDateSent": "2025-10-01T00:00:00+01:00",
"milestones": [
{
"id": "1",
"type": "futureSignatureDate",
"dueDate": "2025-10-22T23:59:59+01:00",
"status": "scheduled"
}
]
}
],
"contracts": [
{
"id": "1",
"awardID": "1",
"status": "active",
"period": {
"startDate": "2025-11-01T00:00:00+00:00",
"endDate": "2028-10-31T23:59:59+00:00",
"maxExtentDate": "2029-10-31T23:59:59+00:00"
},
"hasRenewal": true,
"renewal": {
"description": "The contract shall run from the effective date for an initial period of 3 years (the contract period) with an option to extend for up to 12 months reviewed at the end of the 3 year period if required."
},
"value": {
"amountGross": 149400,
"amount": 124500,
"currency": "GBP"
},
"aboveThreshold": true,
"dateSigned": "2025-10-22T00:00:00+01:00",
"agreedMetrics": [
{
"id": "1",
"title": "ICASO to check eligibility of complaint with Ofsted within five working days of receipt of the complaint referral."
},
{
"id": "2",
"title": "Adjudication reports to be provided within 25 days of receipt of Ofsted's complaint summary."
},
{
"id": "3",
"title": "Recommendations made must fall within the scope of the ICASO."
},
{
"id": "4",
"title": "Adjudication reports must be completed within three months of receiving the complaint referral, unless otherwise agreed."
},
{
"id": "5",
"title": "Quarterly performance reports are produced and submitted on the dates agreed."
},
{
"id": "6",
"title": "Annual Reports are submitted to Ofsted for comments one month prior to publication."
},
{
"id": "7",
"title": "Annual Reports are published on the ICASO website by 31 March each year."
}
],
"documents": [
{
"id": "068259-2025",
"documentType": "contractNotice",
"noticeType": "UK7",
"description": "Contract details notice on Find a Tender",
"url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/068259-2025",
"datePublished": "2025-10-24T14:59:30+01:00",
"format": "text/html"
}
]
}
]
}