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Software VAR for Schools

DEPARTMENT FOR EDUCATION

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Planning

07 Jul 2026 at 12:41

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

12 May 2026 at 13:29

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Department for Education (DfE) is engaged in a planning stage for two procurement processes, focusing on software value-added reseller (VAR) services and IT hardware for schools. The software VAR initiative, titled "Software VAR for Schools," is part of the Maximising Value for Pupils programme and is intended to address significant challenges in software procurement by improving pricing transparency and simplifying routes. Key engagement milestones are scheduled with a due date of 31 July 2026. In parallel, a separate procurement titled "IT Hardware for Schools" seeks to develop a procurement route for classroom IT hardware that enhances affordability and transparency. Market engagement for this hardware procurement is scheduled, with expressions of interest due by 5 June 2026. Both initiatives are classified within the services and goods categories, respectively, and are planned to be implemented across various regions within the United Kingdom, with anticipated contract periods starting in 2027 and 2026, depending on the programme.

These procurement opportunities provide significant business prospects for suppliers capable of delivering end-to-end services and innovative solutions within the education sector. The software VAR model aims to foster better value and efficiency, presenting opportunities for companies experienced in software support and reselling to partner with the DfE and support educational institutions. Meanwhile, the IT hardware procurement invites diverse businesses, including SMEs and VCSEs, to contribute innovative solutions for the provision of computers and related hardware for schools. These initiatives are particularly suited for businesses with robust pricing models, sustainability practices, and the ability to manage large-scale supply chains across varied regions. Engaging in these procurements can enable suppliers to strengthen their market presence and support the education sector in meeting its evolving technology needs.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Software VAR for Schools

Notice Description

The Maximising Value for Pupils (MaxVP) programme (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/maximising-value-for-pupils/maximising-value-for-pupils), launched in December 2025, aims to support schools and trusts in achieving better value across their spending, ensuring that resources are used as effectively as possible to improve outcomes for pupils. Software and digital services are a key area of focus within this programme, given their growing importance in the day-to-day operation of schools. Through a combination of recent engagement with the education sector and established market insight, the Department for Education (DfE) recognises that software procurement and management present a number of significant challenges. These range from increasing and often opaque costs, to complexities in licensing models, and, in some cases, practices that do not consistently deliver fair value to schools and trusts. In response, the DfE has identified an opportunity to explore the implementation of a Value Added Reseller (VAR) model. Such a model has the potential to simplify procurement routes, improve pricing transparency, and provide more consistent support to schools in managing their software requirements. It could also enable the aggregation of demand, leading to stronger commercial outcomes and reduced burden on individual institutions. In parallel, the DfE has been considering the application of a VAR model to support its own internal software requirements for a number of years. Aligning these ambitions presents an opportunity to create a unified commercial approach that delivers benefits at both departmental and sector levels. The overarching objective is therefore to establish a VAR model that effectively meets the needs of both the education sector and the DfE, driving improved value, greater efficiency, and more sustainable software procurement practices.

Planning Information

The exact scope of the market engagement is being developed, and will be communicated in due course.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0696c8
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/063653-2026
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

48 - Software package and information systems

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

CPV Codes

48100000 - Industry specific software package

48190000 - Educational software package

72261000 - Software support services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£300,000,000 £100M-£1B
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
7 Jul 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
1 Dec 20265 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Mar 2027 - 31 Mar 2030 3-4 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
TLC North East (England), TLD North West (England), TLF East Midlands (England), TLG West Midlands (England), TLH East (England), TLJ South East (England), TLK South West (England)
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

JSON Markdown

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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