Planning

RFI relating to English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) for Herefordshire Council

HEREFORDSHIRE COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

11 Dec 2025 at 11:29

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Herefordshire Council is conducting a preliminary market engagement to assess the interest of organisations in providing English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) services. This engagement is currently in the planning stage, with a specific focus on the services industry category. Located in Hereford, the council is looking to gather information rather than initiate a procurement process at this time. The request for information (RFI) documents are accessible via the Supplying the Southwest portal, with the deadline for responses set at 12pm on Friday, 9th January 2026. This step is aimed at information gathering, crucial for shaping future tender opportunities.

This RFI presents significant business development opportunities, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSEs) specialising in language courses. Given the region's suitability for such initiatives, businesses with expertise in providing ESOL services can leverage this information stage to position themselves for potential future tenders. The contract period is tentatively planned to commence on 1st September 2026 and may extend until 2030, allowing adequate time for businesses to engage in strategic planning and resource allocation. This initiative forms part of the council's broader agenda to support community integration and skills development.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

RFI relating to English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) for Herefordshire Council

Notice Description

Herefordshire Council is issuing this Request for Information (RFI) for the purpose of establishing whether there are any organisations that are interested in providing English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) based on the requirements set out in the RFI document. This pre-market engagement exercise has been published on: https://www.supplyingthesouthwest.org.uk The RFI document can be viewed by visiting this site and searching for project reference: DN800268

Planning Information

This RFI has been published on the Supplying the Southwest portal: https://www.supplyingthesouthwest.org.uk Please note: new users will need to register an account in order to access the documents (registration is free). Any clarification questions should be raised through the portal. The deadline for responses is 12pm on Friday 9th January 2026. This RFI is for information gathering purposes only. It is not a call for competition and does not form part of a procurement process.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05f389
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/081859-2025
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

80 - Education and training services

CPV Codes

80580000 - Provision of language courses

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
11 Dec 20252 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
9 Jan 20262 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Aug 2026 - 31 Aug 2028 2-3 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
HEREFORDSHIRE COUNCIL
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
commercialservices@herefordshire.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
HEREFORD
Postcode
HR4 0LE
Post Town
Hereford
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLG West Midlands (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLG1 Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Warwickshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLG11 Herefordshire, County of
Delivery Location
TLG11 Herefordshire, County of
Local Authority
Herefordshire, County of
Electoral Ward
Widemarsh
Westminster Constituency
Hereford and South Herefordshire

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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