Award

DAC 84/25 - DE - CURRICULUM REFORM - IMPROVING LITERACY IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

09 Feb 2026 at 10:46

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Department of Education in Northern Ireland has concluded the procurement process with a contract award under the title "DAC 84/25 – DE – CURRICULUM REFORM – IMPROVING LITERACY IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS." This initiative, part of the broader TransformED programme, is focused on advancing literacy outcomes in primary schools through the adoption of the Read Write Inc. synthetic phonics programme. The procuring and award processes, classified in the "Education and Training Services" industry category, have progressed to completion with the contract period set from 10th February 2026 to 9th February 2029. The project was a direct award, deemed essential due to the specialist nature and proprietary status of the programme. Centralised by the CPD - Supplies & Services Division, the project is set in Bangor, Northern Ireland, with the aim of supporting literacy outcomes at Key Stage 2. Significant key dates include the scheduled signature of the contract on 9th February 2026.

This procurement creates substantial opportunities for growth within the education services industry, particularly for businesses specialising in literacy and instructional support. Companies with expertise in synthetic phonics or educational programmes at large scales may find this project integral to expanding their market presence in educational reforms. The absence of viable alternatives highlights the importance of innovative methods and materials in literacy instruction, presenting a lucrative opportunity for businesses that can offer such proprietary and specialised solutions. The buyer, Department of Education, stresses the urgency of programme implementation, providing business entrants with a defined timeline that supports long-term engagement and strategic development within the public sector education framework.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

DAC 84/25 - DE - CURRICULUM REFORM - IMPROVING LITERACY IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS

Notice Description

Literacy provision in Northern Ireland primary schools currently varies widely, with no system wide standardised approach to early reading instruction. Although the curriculum provides support and schools implement their own interventions, significant attainment gaps persist, particularly in Communication at Key Stage 2. This research project is designed to address these gaps by evaluating the impact of a structured synthetic phonics programme, Read Write Inc., across a stratified and representative sample of schools. The aim is to generate robust, generalisable evidence to inform the new literacy strategy and curriculum reform. This initiative forms a core component of the Department's TransformED programme and directly supports the Minister's priorities for raising literacy outcomes system wide.

Procurement Information

The selection of this programme as the basis of research in NI is due to a combination of factors that make it the only viable option for delivering this project to the required specification and within the necessary timeframe: * Specialist nature and proprietary status: RMT is the sole provider of the Read Write Inc. Phonics programme, which is a Department for Education (England) validated Systematic Synthetic Phonics model. The programme's intellectual property, training model, and assessment tools are exclusively owned and delivered by RMT. No other supplier is authorised to provide access to these materials or deliver the programme with fidelity. * Lack of viable alternatives: While other phonics programmes exist, none offer the same combination of structured pedagogy, embedded assessment, professional development, and implementation support. Read Write Inc. is used in over 8,000 UK primary schools and has been independently evaluated by the Education Endowment Foundation, which found measurable gains in reading, particularly for disadvantaged pupils. The Department has not been able to identify any other provider offering this level of evidence, scale and infrastructure in the current market that can deliver within the required timeline * Urgency of delivery: The Department has committed to developing a new literacy strategy as part of the TransformED programme. This research project is a key action within that strategy and must commence as soon as possible to align with the academic calendar and policy development timelines. Delaying implementation would mean missing the opportunity to generate evidence within the require timescale, which is critical to informing the new literacy strategy and curriculum reform timeline.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-064ae1
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/011280-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK5 - Transparency Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Direct award
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

80 - Education and training services

CPV Codes

80000000 - Education and training services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£220,000 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
9 Feb 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
9 Feb 20261 weeks ago
Contract Period
10 Feb 2026 - 9 Feb 2029 3-4 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
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Additional Buyers

CPD - SUPPLIES & SERVICES DIVISION

Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
ssdadmin.cpd@finance-ni.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
BANGOR
Postcode
BT19 7PR
Post Town
Northern Ireland
Country
Northern Ireland
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLN Northern Ireland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLN0 Northern Ireland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLN06 Belfast
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Belfast
Electoral Ward
Sydenham
Westminster Constituency
Belfast East

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

RUTH MISKIN LITERACY

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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