Award

Benchmarking Tool for Schools - Pilot 25/26

DEPARTMENT FOR EDUCATION

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

11 Dec 2025 at 14:07

Summary of the contracting process

The recent public procurement process initiated by the Department for Education in the United Kingdom involves the development of a "Benchmarking Tool for Schools - Pilot 25/26". This contract is categorised under the IT services and industry-specific software category, taking place in London. The contracting authority, the Department for Education, sought a supplier to create an application that enables schools to perform price comparisons for essential school supplies. The project was awarded to TCM Technology Ltd, with the procurement contracts being signed on 14th November 2025. The contract spans from 17th November 2025 to 16th November 2026, with potential extensions possible. The procurement process was conducted using a limited method under a below-threshold competitive framework.

This tender provides growth opportunities for businesses specialising in software development, especially those focusing on bespoke solutions for educational institutions. Companies with capabilities in benchmark analytics and application support are particularly well-suited to compete in similar tenders. The Department for Education's requirement for a robust, user-friendly price comparison tool indicates potential for additional contracts in the educational technology space, presenting further opportunities for companies to showcase innovative solutions designed to enhance cost-efficiency and operational effectiveness within schools. The collaboration with a government body may also enhance a company's reputation and open doors to future governmental projects.

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Notice Title

Benchmarking Tool for Schools - Pilot 25/26

Notice Description

DfE are seeking a Supplier to develop a benchmarking application that can be accessed directly by schools. This should allow schools to easily access price comparison across a key basket of school supply goods from a subset of key suppliers. The successful Supplier will work with DfE and the initial batch of participating schools to define their basket of goods. Products should be benchmarked on a weekly basis. Products should be matched on a "good, better and best" matching method to ensure, where possible, value items and brand names are captured. The application should indicate the best value option. The first iteration of the application should be available to the first wave of participating schools by the end of the first quarterly period (by approximately February 2026). The application will be free at the point of use for participating schools. The successful Supplier will hold monthly update calls with DfE and attend quarterly contract management meetings (virtual unless otherwise arranged).

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05f3f3
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/082034-2025
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Limited
Procurement Method Details
Below threshold - limited competition
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

48 - Software package and information systems

72 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support


CPV Codes

48100000 - Industry specific software package

72000000 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£82,250 Under £100K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
11 Dec 20252 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
14 Nov 20253 months ago
Contract Period
17 Nov 2025 - 16 Nov 2026 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
DEPARTMENT FOR EDUCATION
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
school.supplies@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

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

TCM TECHNOLOGY

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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