Planning

Market Engagement Event - Delivery partner for partnerships supporting early years-school transitions

DEPARTMENT FOR EDUCATION

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

PlanningUpdate

09 Mar 2026 at 14:39

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

05 Mar 2026 at 14:52

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Department for Education is engaging in the procurement process for a Delivery Partner to support early years to school transitions, focusing on children with SEND and those from disadvantaged backgrounds in the United Kingdom. This tender, in the planning stage, includes industry categories related to staff training and educational services. The department anticipates engaging with interested parties through a market engagement event scheduled on 17 March 2026, followed by a questionnaire period from 18 to 26 March 2026, and one-to-one supplier discussions in the week commencing 30 March 2026. The procurement plan foresees a contract commencing on 1 October 2026 and concluding by 31 March 2029, with a deadline for future notice set for 11 May 2026.

This tender provides significant opportunities for business growth, particularly for Small to Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) and Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprises (VCSEs), given the Department for Education's focus on inclusive participation. Businesses specialising in educational services, particularly those experienced with staff training, are well-suited to compete for this tender. The procurement process encourages consortia and collaborative bids, thereby enabling organisations to combine resources and expertise, fostering networking and partnership prospects. The Delivery Partner will play a strategic role in implementing initiatives that aim to enhance collaboration and governance standards, paving the way for sustainable outcomes beyond the funding period. This creates a fertile ground for educational service providers to establish long-term partnerships within the UK education sector.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Market Engagement Event - Delivery partner for partnerships supporting early years-school transitions

Notice Description

This is a notice seeking early engagement from interested parties in relation to the Department for Education procurement of a Delivery Partner to support effective delivery of partnerships that strengthen children's transitions from pre-reception early years settings into school. The partnerships will focus particularly on support for those children with SEND and from disadvantaged backgrounds. The Delivery Partner will play a central role in helping partnerships plan and implement their approaches, promote collaboration and good practice, and support continuous improvement across the programme. The Delivery Partner will also help ensure delivery aligns with priorities, maintains strong governance standards and contributes to sustainable outcomes for children beyond the funding period. Please note that all references to procedure, value and term length are purely illustrative and subject to change. Please note that this notice is for early market engagement and exploratory purposes and is not a call for competition. The Department reserves the right not to enter any formal processes or agreements. Accordingly, the authority will not be liable for any bid cost, expenditure, work, or effort incurred by a provider in acting based on this notice. The DfE is keen to maximise opportunities to participate in procurement for Small to Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) and Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprises (VCSEs). Consideration will also be given to consortia and collaborative bids from all forms of organisations.

Planning Information

The Department will be hosting an online event which will take place on 17 March 2026. We may host a further market engagement event following this feedback. We will share a follow-up questionnaire shortly after (18 – 26 March 2026), and we will also be hosting 1:1 discussions w/c 30 March 2026 with interested suppliers, subject to completing the questionnaire. To register and receive an invitation to attend the event on 17th March - Please visit https://education.app.jaggaer.com/web/login.html - Scroll down to view opportunities and look for ssq_735 Once registered for ssq_735 please provide contact details for attendees using the messaging system within the ssq.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-066333
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/020961-2026
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

80000000 - Education and training services

80511000 - Staff training services

Notice Value(s)

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

Notice Dates

Publication Date
9 Mar 20265 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
11 May 20262 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
30 Sep 2026 - 31 Mar 2029 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
DEPARTMENT FOR EDUCATION
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

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

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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