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Alternative Provision Arrangement

Bracknell Forest Borough Council

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Planning

25 Aug 2026 at 12:33

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

08 Apr 2026 at 11:49

UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Bracknell Forest Borough Council is considering commissioning alternative education provision for children and young people who cannot attend school because of illness, exclusion or other reasons. The service may include provision for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities, including those with Education, Health and Care Plans. This is an education and training services requirement. Delivery is intended in the United Kingdom, with the council based in Bracknell. The council is still deciding the most suitable commissioning model and final structure. Its current thinking includes a framework agreement divided into up to six lots, although this has not been finalised. The arrangement is intended to establish longer-term commissioning arrangements for alternative provision rather than a single, defined service package.

This procurement is at the planning stage and is not an invitation to tender. The council is carrying out preliminary market engagement to explain its plans, test possible commissioning arrangements and obtain provider feedback. It expects to publish a further notice on 17 February 2027. The planned contract period is 1 September 2027 to 31 August 2030, with possible renewal extending the maximum period to 31 August 2032. The estimated value is £10 million excluding VAT and £12.5 million including VAT; these figures apply to the procurement as a whole and are not a confirmed contract award. The proposed arrangement is above the applicable threshold and may use a framework agreement. Suppliers wishing to attend engagement must confirm by 17:00 on 21 September 2026.

The proposed arrangement is suited to small and medium-sized businesses and voluntary, community or social enterprises. It should be relevant to providers already delivering alternative education or other education and training services for children and young people who are unable to attend mainstream school. Organisations with experience supporting pupils affected by illness, exclusion or other barriers to school attendance may be well placed to contribute. Experience of working with children and young people with special educational needs or disabilities, including those with Education, Health and Care Plans, is also directly relevant to the stated scope. The council is seeking provider views on its proposed practice, development priorities and commissioning model, so potential suppliers can help shape the future arrangement. Providers should be prepared to discuss their services and register on the relevant e-tendering platforms.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Alternative Provision Arrangement

Notice Description

Bracknell Forest Council is considering establishing an education arrangement for the delivery of Alternative Education Provision (AP) to children & young people unable to attend school due to illness, exclusion or other reasons. This may include children & young people with Special Educational Needs or Disabilities (SEND) or Education Health Care Plans (EHCPs). The Council is currently considering the most appropriate commissioning model and has not yet determined the final structure. This may include the establishment of a framework agreement. This pre-market engagement will help determine the most appropriate commissioning model. If a framework agreement is established, then this will be made up of up to 6 lots.

Planning Information

In preparation to establish Alternative Provision commissioning arrangements, Bracknell Forest Council will be hosting pre-market engagement events to engage with potential suppliers and to seek feedback. Areas to discuss with suppliers will include: - To update providers on plans for a new Alternative provision arrangements - To outline the practice the Council intends to adopt - To explore key areas of development and to seek feedback from providers on those key areas - To provide an overview of the Proactis E-tender Portal and Central Digital Platform including registration - To allow providers the opportunity to ask questions about commissioning plans Both an in-person session at Bracknell Forest Council offices and online session via Microsoft Teams will be offered to suppliers. Please see the below details: 10:30 – 11:30 on 28th September 2026 – In person event held at Bracknell Forest Council, Time Square, Market Street, Bracknell, Berkshire, RG12 1JD. Please report to the main reception and advise you are attending the Alternative provision pre-market engagement session. 11:30 – 12:30 on 29th September 2026 – Online event via Microsoft Teams Any suppliers wishing to attend one of the above sessions should provide confirmation of the session they wish to attend, the attendee(s) name, job title, contact number and email address (if joining the online session). Please send confirmations to Childrens.Commissioning@bracknell-forest.gov.uk by 17:00 21st September 2026. Alternatively, if you are not able to attend, and you would like a copy of the materials following the session, please submit that request to Childrens.Commissioning@bracknell-forest.gov.uk by 17:00 21st September 2026.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-067dc1
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/080823-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
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

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£10,000,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
25 Aug 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
17 Feb 20276 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Sep 2027 - 31 Aug 2030 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planned
Lots Status
Planned
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Bracknell Forest Borough Council
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
BRACKNELL
Postcode
RG12 1JD
Postcode Area
Reading
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ1 Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ15 Berkshire East
Delivery Location
TLJ11 Berkshire
Local Authority
Bracknell Forest
Electoral Ward
Town Centre & The Parks
Westminster Constituency
Bracknell

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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