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Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) Level 4 & Level 5 Professional Qualifications Training Provider Framework (Light Touch)

ASTER GROUP LIMITED

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

17 Aug 2026 at 17:04

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Tender

22 May 2026 at 14:16

UK4 - Tender Notice
Planning

12 Jan 2026 at 14:13

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Aster Group Limited is procuring a flexible framework of approved training providers to deliver Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) professional housing qualifications. The scope covers CIH-recognised Level 4 and Level 5 qualifications and associated top-up modules, supporting the competence requirements for senior housing executives and senior housing managers under the Social Housing Regulation Act 2023. This is education and training services (CPV 80000000), delivered across the United Kingdom. The framework is intended to provide training at scale, on demand and through different delivery pathways, allowing learning to reflect individual learner needs and organisational priorities. Aster Group Limited is the buying organisation, with the Chartered Institute of Housing’s qualifications forming the substantive subject matter of the service.

The procurement has reached the award stage following an open competitive flexible procedure with three stages covering commercial, technical and quality assessment. One framework lot is complete, with nine providers awarded separately: The Chartered Institute of Housing, Kingdom Academy Limited, Learning Curve Group Limited, Places for People Homes Limited, Share Learning Limited, Social Landlords Crime and Nuisance Group, The Learning Foundry Limited, University of Huddersfield, and Upkeep Training Limited. The awarded value is £632,970.99 gross. The framework starts on 1 September 2026 and runs to 31 August 2040, including extension options. The award date is 17 August 2026, with standstill ending on 26 August 2026 and signature scheduled for 1 September 2026. Quality, including social value, carried 75%; commercial cost per learner carried 25%.

This requirement suits established housing-sector education and training providers able to deliver CIH-recognised Level 4 and Level 5 qualifications, top-up modules and varied learning pathways. Credible suppliers need the capability to support senior housing executives and managers, deliver consistently at scale and on demand, and adapt provision to different organisational and learner needs. Tutor availability and effective learner support are commercially important, since the buyer identified inconsistent quality, tutor shortages, weak support and extended learning durations as key risks. Providers should also be able to demonstrate strong quality and social-value performance, alongside transparent learner-cost information separated by qualification level and delivery type. The award attracted nine final-stage bids, including five from SMEs and one from a VCSE, showing that both larger organisations and specialist smaller providers can compete for this type of framework.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) Level 4 & Level 5 Professional Qualifications Training Provider Framework (Light Touch)

Notice Description

Aster seeks to appoint qualified Providers to deliver CIH-recognised housing qualifications at Level 4, Level 5, and associated top-up modules. These qualifications are aligned with the Competence and Conduct Standard under the Social Housing Regulation Act 2023. The Social Housing Regulation Act, 2023, mandates that all "relevant managers" defined as senior housing executives and senior housing managers must hold or be actively working toward (within a three-year transition period) professional qualifications that meet the Institute for Apprenticeship and Technical Education (IATE) occupational standards for Senior Housing and Property Management. Specifically: *Senior Housing Executives: Foundation Degree in Housing (CIH) or Level 5 Diploma *Senior Housing Managers: Level 4 Certificate in Housing To meet these requirements, Aster proposes establishing a Flexible Framework (under Light Touch Regime) of approved training providers capable of delivering CIH-approved qualifications at scale, on demand, and through diverse pathways. This approach ensures adaptability to individual learning needs and organizational priorities.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: Options to extend for an indefinite number of years in periods of 2 year per each extension period

Planning Information

This Preliminary Market Engagement Notice (PIN) is issued to inform the market of a potential upcoming procurement for the delivery of Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) Level 4 and Level 5 housing management qualifications. The purpose of this engagement is to: • Inform the scope and structure of the procurement • Explore suitable commercial and delivery models • Identify potential risks and opportunities • Test market capacity, capability, and interest • Inform the final specification and delivery model • Understand viable delivery approaches and timescales • Support a fair, transparent and proportionate procurement process This is not a call for competition and does not constitute a formal procurement process. Interested Providers are invited to participate by completing a Preliminary Market Engagement Questionnaire. The questionnaire seeks feedback on service capabilities, delivery models, commercial preferences, and suggestions for procurement/framework design. Please follow this link to express your interest and access the related documents: https://in-tendhost.co.uk/aster/aspx/ProjectManage/630 Responses will be used to shape the procurement strategy and documentation. Subject to the outcome of this engagement, the Aster may proceed with a formal procurement process. Providers who do not participate in this engagement will not be excluded from future opportunities. It is mandatory for any interested suppliers to register on the new CENTRAL DIGITAL PLATFORM which is part of the enhanced Find a Tender Service.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0603c7
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/078295-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Planning, Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Competitive flexible procedure
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Large, SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

80 - Education and training services

CPV Codes

80000000 - Education and training services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£527,476 £500K-£1M
Lots Value
£527,476 £500K-£1M
Awards Value
£632,970 £500K-£1M
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
17 Aug 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
29 Jun 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
9 Feb 2026Expired
Award Date
17 Aug 20261 months ago
Contract Period
1 Sep 2026 - 1 Sep 2040 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Pending
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
ASTER GROUP LIMITED
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
DEVIZES
Postcode
SN10 2AZ
Postcode Area
Swindon
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK7 Gloucestershire and Wiltshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK72 Wiltshire
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Wiltshire
Electoral Ward
Urchfont & Bishops Cannings
Westminster Constituency
Melksham and Devizes

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
9
Supplier Names

CHARTERED INSTITUTE OF HOUSING

Dutton Fisher Associates Ltd

Learning Curve Group

PLACES FOR PEOPLE HOMES LIMITED

Share Learning Limited

SOCIAL LANDLORDS CRIME AND NUISANCE GROUP

THE LEARNING FOUNDRY LIMITED

University of Huddersfield

UPKEEP TRAINING LIMITED

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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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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