Planning

Digital Configurator

DEPARTMENT FOR EDUCATION

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

07 May 2026 at 15:33

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Department for Education is in the planning stage for a procurement titled "Digital Configurator," aimed at improving the design efficiency of school buildings. The initiative involves creating a new digital tool to automate the early-stage feasibility design process. Classified under services, this project falls within the "Industry specific software package" and "Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services" categories. Market engagement events are scheduled, with a presentation planned for 21 May 2026, and a questionnaire to follow from 22 May to 3 June 2026. The procurement process is scheduled for a start date on 30 September 2026, with an overarching timeline extending until 31 March 2028, located in the United Kingdom.

This opportunity offers significant potential for businesses specialising in custom software development, project management, and construction consultancy services. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are well-suited to compete, especially those with expertise in rule-based logic, data structures, user interface development, and system compatibility in digital environments. The project promises to streamline the current manual design process, opening avenues for businesses to contribute towards innovative education infrastructure, thereby fostering potential growth through collaborative development and deployment of advanced digital tools.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Digital Configurator

Notice Description

Introduction: Digital Configurator The Digital Configurator proposes a new DfE digital tool that will automate and standardise early-stage feasibility design for school buildings. It will translate the tools developed within the Department's design standards into an intelligent rule-based digital environment, enabling the automatic generation of block models, site layouts, compliance checks, 3D visualisations and exportable design data. The tool will be a core enabler of consistent, compliant and efficient feasibility development across the school estate. The configurator shall be developed to enable 'smart' analysis of common changes and other compliance challenges. The successful supplier will undertake a programme to design, build, test and support the release of the Digital Configurator. The Digital Configurator supplier will benefit from a report, with pattern book compliant designs, which can be used, alongside the Department's New Model Designs to train and test the configurators' outputs. Design - Project Development The supplier will develop the rule-based logic, data structures, interoperability requirements and user interface concepts for the configurator. They will refine and validate functional and technical requirements emerging from the CF25 review work, and define the architecture, logic models and prototype interfaces needed for development. Build - Development and Integration The supplier will oversee or support the full development of the configurator, ensuring correct implementation of CF25 handbook and design standards. This includes logic encoding, 3D model generation, site layout tools, compliance engines, data pipelines, export formats, user interface components and secure architecture. Test - Assurance and Quality Control The supplier will lead or support structured testing of the configurator, including functional testing, compliance and rule-traceability checks, performance testing, interoperability validation and usability reviews. All defects and issues will be logged, triaged and verified in line with DfE assurance processes. Support - Release, Handover and Post-Release The supplier will support the Beta release, user training, documentation development and readiness assessment. Following go-live, the supplier will provide early post-release support to resolve defects, monitor performance and advise on future enhancements and sustainability. Background: The Construction Framework 2025 (CF25), and site configuration In January 2026, the Department for Education (DfE) awarded its PS15.4 billion Construction Framework 2025 (CF25), a closed framework established for an initial term of six years. This framework will use the CF25 handbook and our Design standards to build new schools and revitalise the Education Estate. Currently, the Department manually designs new school site plans, using the tools developed within CF25 handbook and Design standards. This process often involves a number of technically qualified people working jointly to develop initial designs. While this process is effective and results in great schools, we plan to improve its efficiency via a Digital Configurator; allowing us to accelerator our initial designs, saving DfE resource and redirecting our expertise to other activities. Relevant links: Material: Construction framework handbook 2025 Link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/school-buildings-construction-framework-2025/construction-framework-handbook-2025 Material: Design standards: employer's requirements Link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/design-standards-employers-requirements

Planning Information

Market engagement events: To register for the events below, you will need to create a Jaggaer account via the following link: Link: https://education.app.jaggaer.com/web/login.html Once you have created an account, you will need to access our opportunity notice for Event 754 – Digital Configurator Market Engagement. To do this, log in to Jaggaer and select the Published Opportunities tab, which can be found under the Sourcing drop-down menu. Our opportunity notice can be accessed via the following link: Link: https://education.app.jaggaer.com/esop/guest/go/opportunity/detail?opportunityId=61047 Once you have accessed our opportunity notice, you will be able to register your intention to participate via Event 754 - Digital Configurator, Market Engagement. Within this event, the DfE will broadcast invitations to our market engagement events, via the Jaggaer messaging function. It is your responsibility to access these broadcasts and forward our invitations to the relevant colleagues within your organisation. 1. Meet the Buyer event and Q&A session The Department will be hosting a presentation via Microsoft Teams on the dates below: 21 May 2026, 10:00 till 11:00 (deadline to register 20 May 12:00) During this event, DfE personnel involved in the project will outline our requirements, the indicative timeline and our procurement approach. There will be an opportunity to ask questions at the end of the session. The DfE will send out our final invitation message on the 20th May. It is your responsibility to access these messages, and forward the invitations to your relevant colleagues. 2. Market Engagement Questionnaire Following our market engagement presentation, the DfE will publish a market engagement questionnaire. This will be live from 22 May until 3 of June, and will be used to inform our procurement approach.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0693d6
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/042137-2026
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
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

48 - Software package and information systems

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

72 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

CPV Codes

48100000 - Industry specific software package

71000000 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

71242000 - Project and design preparation, estimation of costs

71530000 - Construction consultancy services

71540000 - Construction management services

72212331 - Project management software development services

72220000 - Systems and technical consultancy services

72230000 - Custom software development services

79415200 - Design consultancy services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£1,583,333 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
7 May 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
13 Jul 20262 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
29 Sep 2026 - 31 Mar 2028 1-2 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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