Award

Independent non-maintained specialist school Autism Spectrum condition placements

NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

12 Feb 2026 at 09:33

Summary of the contracting process

Nottingham City Council has initiated a procurement process for "Independent non-maintained specialist school Autism Spectrum condition placements," aimed at securing up to 30 annual special school placements tailored for Autism Spectrum Condition SEND. These placements are scheduled to run from September 2026 to August 2031. The procurement falls under the education and training services category and utilises a direct award method due to technical reasons that necessitate an absence of competition. With the process having reached the award stage, Autism East Midlands has been identified as the sole supplier capable of meeting the specific requirements for specialist education services. The contract period begins on 1st September 2026 and ends on 31st August 2031, with a pending award valued at £11,700,000 GBP. The procurement is classified under public authority - sub-central government, highlighting the necessity and urgency for these specialist school placements.

This procurement offers significant opportunities for large-scale businesses specialising in education and training services, particularly those able to deliver bespoke solutions for Autism Spectrum Condition SEND placements. The unique nature of the direct award, driven by technical requirements and urgency, underscores the importance of establishing expert partnerships with local authorities and essential service providers like Autism East Midlands. Businesses capable of innovating within the specialist education sector and those with expertise in providing high-quality educational solutions will find potential growth opportunities. Such partnerships can lead to long-term collaborations with local councils, enhancing their reputation and presence in the competitive education industry across the United Kingdom.

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Notice Title

Independent non-maintained specialist school Autism Spectrum condition placements

Notice Description

Up to 30 annual Autism Spectrum Condition SEND non-maintained special school placements during the period September 2026 to August 2031.

Procurement Information

In order to address the sufficiency risk relating to specialist school places for pupils transitioning from mainstream primary education from September 2026. Justification for a direct award is due to the absence of competition for technical reasons, and that there is no reasonable alternative option to secure the education services required. This provider is identified to be the only school able to meet the specific educational needs of the cohort in question, offering specialist secondary education places within Nottingham City.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-064e89
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/012688-2026
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
VCSE
Awardee Scale
Large

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
£11,700,000 £10M-£100M
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
12 Feb 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
12 Feb 20261 weeks ago
Contract Period
31 Aug 2026 - 31 Aug 2031 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
procurement@nottinghamcity.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
NOTTINGHAM
Postcode
NG2 3NG
Post Town
Nottingham
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLF East Midlands (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLF1 Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLF14 Nottingham
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Nottingham
Electoral Ward
Castle
Westminster Constituency
Nottingham East

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

AUTISM EAST MIDLANDS

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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