Accredited learning programmes across the policy profession

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                "id": "engagement",
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                "description": "If you are interested in attending this market engagement please register via Jaggaer before the event at 15:00 on 18th February 2026. Once registered, the supplier event area can be accessed by clicking \"View Opportunities\" on the main page. By registering for this market engagement event, you acknowledge that the information shared through this market engagement is provided in confidence and must not be disclosed outside your organisation. Please ensure all attendees from your organisation are aware of and comply with this requirement. Please register for Jaggaer using the URL link below: https://education.app.jaggaer.com/web/login.html Following registration, you will receive a message via the Jaggaer portal asking you to confirm this acknowledgement. You must respond in confirmation to this message before an event invite will be issued. Participants who have registered an expression of interest will receive a link to join the session via Microsoft Teams. If you do not receive the invite at least 24hrs before the event, please also email Core.PROCUREMENT@education.gov.uk to ensure you receive joining instructions in time. The event will help attendees to: * Gain a better understanding of our requirements for the proposed accredited learning programmes and how they relate to the three levels of the Policy Profession Standards. * Gain a better understanding of expected delivery timelines * Provide feedback on the feasibility of the requirements, including any constraints or pressures that may affect them- You will have the opportunity to share this feedback through a Request for Information after the event. We are aiming to develop our requirements based on market feedback and ensure our requirement is clear at the time of tender to the market. * Gain a better understanding of Cabinet Office requirements around Modern Slavery and the planned Social Value criteria This preliminary market engagement notice is for information only and is not a call for competition. This is intended to inform the market of a potential procurement exercise to appoint suppliers to work with the Department on providing the outlined service. The Department reserves the right not to enter a formal procurement process and not proceed with contract award. Accordingly, the Department will not be liable for any bid cost, expenditure, work, or effort incurred by any organisation in acting on the basis of this preliminary market engagement notice All information included in this notice is indicative and subject to change and is neither exhaustive nor binding. The authority reserves the right at its absolute discretion to amend it at the time of issue of any further notices or at any other time.",
                "dueDate": "2026-02-18T23:59:59+00:00",
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    "parties": [
        {
            "id": "GB-PPON-PDZG-3487-DPVD",
            "name": "Department for Education",
            "identifier": {
                "scheme": "GB-PPON",
                "id": "PDZG-3487-DPVD"
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            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Sanctuary Buildings, 20 Great Smith Street",
                "locality": "London",
                "postalCode": "SW1P3BT",
                "country": "GB",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom",
                "region": "UKI32"
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            "contactPoint": {
                "email": "PolicyAssurance.COMMERCIALQUERIES@education.gov.uk"
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    "tender": {
        "id": "Project_10154",
        "legalBasis": {
            "id": "2023/54",
            "scheme": "UKPGA",
            "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents"
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        "title": "Accredited learning programmes across the policy profession",
        "description": "The Civil Service Policy Profession consists of around 38,500 civil servants making it the second largest profession in government. It has a presence across the regions and nations of the UK. The work of policy professionals has a profound impact on the lives of people across the country. Upskilling policy makers will mean they develop better policies that will deliver better outcomes for the public. The Policy Profession Unit, which is part of the Department for Education but works on behalf of policy professionals across government, has responsibility for overseeing the development of the Policy Profession. This includes building the skills and capability of individual policy makers at different stages of their careers. We are seeking to partner with higher education institution(s) to develop and deliver, from September 2027, accredited programmes at postgraduate level that build the skills and capabilities of UK civil servants in line with the Policy Profession Standards. This procurement consists of two lots: Lot 1 and Lot 2. Suppliers may bid for either or both lots, and we expect any bids covering both lots to include a proposed discount structure. Lot 1 (itt_3995): The procurement of a contract for five cohorts for an accredited 180-credit Master's course, with one cohort per academic year from AY 2027/28, designed for experienced civil service policy leaders. It will aim to strengthen advanced policy capability, enabling leaders to apply academic rigour and best practice to complex government policy challenges while continuing in their roles. Lot 2 (itt_3999): Lot 2 is for a postgraduate accredited learning offer for civil service policy professionals, including standalone modules, a Postgraduate Award, Certificate and Diploma for experienced practitioners. It also includes a separate 30-credit Postgraduate Award for Government Policy Fast Streamers, delivered to an annual cohort on a structured three-year timetable. The Department for Education will hold these contracts, however the programmes must be accessible to all civil service departments. Funding estimates included within this notice are based off of historic student volumes and spending. Actual contract value will be determined by actual student volumes that will be funded by individual departments. The Department makes no commitment at this stage to the final funding envelope for contractual activity. Please see the recording of the early market engagement event here: https://youtu.be/Buv5dtEd2_4 The closing date for this procurement is 13 July 2026 at 12:00, and the clarification window will remain open until 30 June 2026 at 15:00. Please submit all clarification questions and your bid response through the Jaggaer system under project_10154, which is being used to manage this procurement.",
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                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
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                ],
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        ],
        "value": {
            "amountGross": 16550000,
            "amount": 16550000,
            "currency": "GBP"
        },
        "procurementMethod": "open",
        "procurementMethodDetails": "Open procedure",
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        "submissionTerms": {
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            "languages": [
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                "id": "1",
                "status": "active",
                "value": {
                    "amountGross": 5360000,
                    "amount": 5360000,
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                "contractPeriod": {
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                    "endDate": "2031-09-13T23:59:59+01:00",
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                "suitability": {
                    "sme": true
                },
                "description": "The procurement of a contract for five cohorts for an accredited 180-credit Master's course, with one cohort per academic year from AY 2027/28, designed for experienced civil service policy leaders. It will aim to strengthen advanced policy capability, enabling leaders to apply academic rigour and best practice to complex government policy challenges while continuing in their roles. This contract will allow for enrolment over a period of 5 academic years, from 2027-28. Final enrolments will take place before September 2032. The contract will end once all payments due have been made. The bidder must commit to allowing and supporting all learners enrolled in the course before and inclusive of the final enrolment point the opportunity to complete their programmes within the agreed delivery time frame for each qualification. Bidders must commit to supplying all teaching, assessment, and pastoral support to all enrolled learners that they are committed to providing as a part of their proposal. The bidder must ensure that they are providing the same quality of services and are committed to maintaining the rhythm of reporting against the KPIs.",
                "title": "Accredited learning offer for expert policy leaders (180 Credit Master's qualification)",
                "awardCriteria": {
                    "criteria": [
                        {
                            "type": "quality",
                            "name": "Quality Criteria (including social value)",
                            "description": "Question Q1 - Curriculum Design and Content Q2 - Assessment and Accreditation Q3 - Delivery Arrangements Q4 - Enrolment, Administration, and Payment Q5 - Learner Support, Accessibility and Inclusion Q6 - Programme Governance, Quality, and Evaluation Question - Social Value Q1 - Creating Opportunities for young people Q2 - Expanding Access for Underrepresented Groups",
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                            "type": "price",
                            "name": "Course pricing",
                            "description": "Bidders are required to provide a per-learner fee for the Expert level 180 Credit Master's qualification",
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                },
                "selectionCriteria": {
                    "criteria": [
                        {
                            "type": "economic",
                            "description": "GDPR - Pass/Fail - A pass is required for the PSQ Submission to be considered further by the Department. To pass the GDPR section, Potential Suppliers must self-certify that they have already have in place or commit to have in place by contract award, the human and technical resources to perform the Contract to ensure compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation and to ensure the protection of the rights of data subjects. A Potential Supplier who fails to satisfy this Minimum Standard will be excluded from the process and not be further considered. Financial Standing - Pass/Fail - All bidders will be asked to complete a Financial Viability Risk Assessment Tool (FVRAT) as part of this process which will be provided alongside the other bidder documentation. In order to pass the CoP, Potential Suppliers must provide all the information necessary to facilitate the assessment. Any Potential Supplier who fails to provide all the information required will, at the discretion of the Department, have been deemed to fail. Insurance - Pass/Fail - A pass is required for the PSQ Submission to be considered further by the Department. Evidence will be sought from the successful Potential Supplier prior to contract award. To pass the Insurance section, Potential Suppliers must self-certify that they already have, or can commit to obtain, prior to the commencement of the Contract, the levels of insurance indicated. A Potential Supplier who fails to satisfy this Minimum Standard will be excluded from the process and not be further considered."
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "technical",
                            "description": "Four questions on technical ability. Each criterion will be marked as either a 'pass' or a 'fail'. A pass is required for PSQ Submission to be considered further by the Department. Evidence will be sought from the successful Potential Supplier prior to contract award. Q1: Bidding as Higher Education Institution, registered with the Office for Students (OFS) with degree awarding powers. Q2: Whether the potential bidder is or previously been subject to a quality investigation with the Office for Students (OFS) where concerns have been found. Q3: Whether the potential bidder's delivery model is based on subcontracting or franchising learning delivery to third party suppliers that a) are not a HEI registered with the OFS and b) are currently or have been subject to a quality investigation with the OFS where concerns have been found. Q4: Potential bidder to provide three examples demonstrating their institution's experience in tailoring, delivering, and developing executive education to full-time working professionals"
                        }
                    ]
                },
                "hasRenewal": true,
                "renewal": {
                    "description": "DfE reserves the right to extend this Contract by any period or periods of its choosing. Any extension shall be exercised by DfE giving the Supplier no less than three (3) months' written notice prior to the expiry of the then current term. DfE further reserves the right to extend the Contract to cover additional cohorts or cohort volumes. Where such extensions are exercised, the maximum value of the Contract extension must not exceed 100% of the initial Contract value, in accordance with the pricing mechanism to be set out in Schedule 3 (Charges), provided that the overall nature of the Contract remains unchanged."
                },
                "hasOptions": true,
                "options": {
                    "description": "DfE reserves the right to extend this Contract by any period or periods of its choosing. Any extension shall be exercised by DfE giving the Supplier no less than three (3) months' written notice prior to the expiry of the then current term. DfE further reserves the right to extend the Contract to cover additional cohorts or cohort volumes. Where such extensions are exercised, the maximum value of the Contract extension must not exceed 100% of the initial Contract value, in accordance with the pricing mechanism to be set out in Schedule 3 (Charges), provided that the overall nature of the Contract remains unchanged."
                }
            },
            {
                "id": "2",
                "title": "Postgraduate level accredited learning offer for policy practitioners",
                "description": "Lot 2 (itt_3999) is for a postgraduate accredited learning offer for civil service policy professionals, including standalone modules, a Postgraduate Award, Certificate and Diploma for experienced practitioners. It also includes a separate 30-credit Postgraduate Award for Government Policy Fast Streamers, delivered to an annual cohort on a structured three-year timetable. This contract will allow for enrolment over a period of 5 academic years, from 2027-28. Final enrolments will take place before September 2032. The contract will end once all payments due have been made. The bidder must commit to allowing and supporting all learners enrolled in the course before and inclusive of the final enrolment point the opportunity to complete their programmes within the agreed delivery time frame for each qualification. Bidders must commit to supplying all teaching, assessment, and pastoral support to all enrolled learners that they are committed to providing as a part of their proposal. The bidder must ensure that they are providing the same quality of services and are committed to maintaining the rhythm of reporting against the KPIs.",
                "status": "active",
                "value": {
                    "amountGross": 11190000,
                    "amount": 11190000,
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                            "name": "Quality Criteria (including social value)",
                            "description": "Question - Technical Q1 - Curriculum Design and Content Q2 - Assessment and Accreditation Q3 - Delivery Arrangements Q4 - Enrolment, Administration, and Payment Q5 - Learner Support, Accessibility and Inclusion Q6 - Programme Governance, Quality, and Evaluation Question - Social Value Q1 - Creating Opportunities for young people Q2 - Expanding Access for Underrepresented Groups",
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                        },
                        {
                            "type": "price",
                            "name": "Module pricing",
                            "description": "Bids are required to provide a per-learner fee for each course as below: 1. Standalone modules 2. Postgraduate Award 3. Postgraduate Certificate 4. Postgraduate Diploma 5. Fast Stream Postgraduate Award",
                            "numbers": [
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                "selectionCriteria": {
                    "criteria": [
                        {
                            "type": "economic",
                            "description": "GDPR - Pass/Fail - A pass is required for the PSQ Submission to be considered further by the Department. To pass the GDPR section, Potential Suppliers must self-certify that they have already have in place or commit to have in place by contract award, the human and technical resources to perform the Contract to ensure compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation and to ensure the protection of the rights of data subjects. A Potential Supplier who fails to satisfy this Minimum Standard will be excluded from the process and not be further considered. Financial Standing - Pass/Fail - All bidders will be asked to complete a Financial Viability Risk Assessment Tool (FVRAT) as part of this process which will be provided alongside the other bidder documentation. In order to pass the CoP, Potential Suppliers must provide all the information necessary to facilitate the assessment. Any Potential Supplier who fails to provide all the information required will, at the discretion of the Department, have been deemed to fail. Insurance - Pass/Fail - A pass is required for the PSQ Submission to be considered further by the Department. Evidence will be sought from the successful Potential Supplier prior to contract award. To pass the Insurance section, Potential Suppliers must self-certify that they already have, or can commit to obtain, prior to the commencement of the Contract, the levels of insurance indicated. A Potential Supplier who fails to satisfy this Minimum Standard will be excluded from the process and not be further considered."
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "technical",
                            "description": "Four questions on technical ability. Each criterion will be marked as either a 'pass' or a 'fail'. A pass is required for PSQ Submission to be considered further by the Department. Evidence will be sought from the successful Potential Supplier prior to contract award. Q1: Bidding as Higher Education Institution, registered with the Office for Students (OFS) with degree awarding powers. Q2: Whether the potential bidder is or previously been subject to a quality investigation with the Office for Students (OFS) where concerns have been found. Q3: Whether the potential bidder's delivery model is based on subcontracting or franchising learning delivery to third party suppliers that a) are not a HEI registered with the OFS and b) are currently or have been subject to a quality investigation with the OFS where concerns have been found. Q4: Potential bidder to provide three examples demonstrating their institution's experience in tailoring, delivering, and developing executive education to full-time working professionals"
                        }
                    ]
                },
                "suitability": {
                    "sme": true
                },
                "contractPeriod": {
                    "startDate": "2026-09-14T00:00:00+01:00",
                    "endDate": "2031-09-13T23:59:59+01:00",
                    "maxExtentDate": "2032-09-13T23:59:59+01:00"
                },
                "hasRenewal": true,
                "renewal": {
                    "description": "DfE reserves the right to extend this Contract by any period or periods of its choosing. Any extension shall be exercised by DfE giving the Supplier no less than three (3) months' written notice prior to the expiry of the then current term. DfE further reserves the right to extend the Contract to cover additional cohorts or cohort volumes. Where such extensions are exercised, the maximum value of the Contract extension must not exceed 100% of the initial Contract value, in accordance with the pricing mechanism to be set out in Schedule 3 (Charges), provided that the overall nature of the Contract remains unchanged."
                },
                "hasOptions": true,
                "options": {
                    "description": "DfE reserves the right to extend this Contract by any period or periods of its choosing. Any extension shall be exercised by DfE giving the Supplier no less than three (3) months' written notice prior to the expiry of the then current term. DfE further reserves the right to extend the Contract to cover additional cohorts or cohort volumes. Where such extensions are exercised, the maximum value of the Contract extension must not exceed 100% of the initial Contract value, in accordance with the pricing mechanism to be set out in Schedule 3 (Charges), provided that the overall nature of the Contract remains unchanged."
                }
            }
        ],
        "communication": {
            "futureNoticeDate": "2026-06-05T23:59:59+01:00"
        },
        "amendments": [
            {
                "id": "017224-2026",
                "description": "Changes have been made to the notice to alter the expected tender publication date as well as correcting the expected contract award date. A UK2 notice has been published which is linked to this procurement: https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/017209-2026"
            }
        ],
        "submissionMethodDetails": "Via the Jaggaer portal - https://education.app.jaggaer.com/esop/guest/go/opportunity/detail?opportunityId=60760",
        "enquiryPeriod": {
            "endDate": "2026-06-30T15:00:00+01:00"
        },
        "documents": [
            {
                "id": "conflictOfInterest",
                "documentType": "conflictOfInterest",
                "description": "Not published"
            },
            {
                "id": "054697-2026",
                "documentType": "tenderNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK4",
                "description": "Tender notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/054697-2026",
                "datePublished": "2026-06-10T12:20:44+01:00",
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        ],
        "contractTerms": {
            "financialTerms": "The Authority expects the supplier to work directly with government departments, agencies, and ALBs to process payments for their learners. The Authority will work directly with the successful supplier to ensure that government departments, agencies, and ALBs are able to make payment directly to the successful supplier."
        }
    },
    "language": "en"
}