Planning

Developing a Digital and Data Skills Pathway

DEPARTMENT FOR EDUCATION

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

PlanningUpdate

20 May 2026 at 07:36

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

15 May 2026 at 08:26

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Department for Education (DfE) in London is currently in the planning stage of a procurement process titled "Developing a Digital and Data Skills Pathway." This initiative aims to enhance digital and data skills within the education sector, aligning with strategic goals outlined in the "Every child achieving and thriving" white paper. The market engagement session is scheduled for 2 June 2026, with the invitation to tender expected on 15 June 2026. The procurement covers various industry categories, including training software development, education and training services, e-learning, secondary education services, and IT services such as consulting and software development. The procurement will be conducted by public authority central government, and the contract value is set at £360,000 gross.

This tender offers significant opportunities for Small to Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) and Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprises (VCSEs), as well as other consortia and collaborative entities. Businesses experienced in professional development, especially in technology utilisation within the educational context of England, will find this tender particularly suited to their capabilities. It presents a chance for businesses to contribute to shaping a comprehensive skills pathway that integrates digital expertise into professional qualifications. Furthermore, the requirement for digital content development to adhere to Government Digital Service principles ensures that organisations with a track record in delivering robust and inclusive educational technology solutions are ideally positioned to excel. This initiative underscores a substantial growth opportunity for businesses aiming to enhance the digital infrastructure of education and training environments.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Developing a Digital and Data Skills Pathway

Notice Description

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. The Every child achieving and thriving white paper set out five strategic goals to drive up standards with the power of safe and proven technology and AI. This includes 'giving the school workforce the confidence and expertise to use digital and AI safely'. The key commitment for this goal is: 'We will set out a clear and progressive skills pathway for digital and data skills for the education workforce to increase their confidence and expertise in using digital and AI safely and effectively. We will integrate these skills into existing professional qualifications and, working with organisations that offer support which aligns with the pathway, give school leaders more certainty that they are investing in high-quality training'. The pathway will set expectations for the sector in relation to the skills and expertise needed to use technology, digital, data and AI safely and effectively, drive an ongoing professional development journey, and support alignment of sector support and the development of new training to a consistent framework. The Department for Education will shortly be publishing an 'Invitation to Tender' (ITT) to deliver this commitment. This ITT will: definitely include A) development and drafting of the content of the skills pathway. potentially include B) development of an online implementation offer to support the effective use of the pathway; and / or C) a wider support service bringing together resources, guidance, signposting and/ or networking opportunities. We are currently carrying out user and stakeholder engagement to understand what support may be needed for B and C above and will clarify this further in the ITT. Bids will be required to set out how they can deliver part A) development and drafting of the content of the skills pathway by December 2026 / January 2027, and pending results from user and stakeholder engagement, bids might also be asked to provide subsequent milestones up until March 2028 setting out how the remainder of the requirements will be delivered. Consortia and sub-contracting bids are welcomed. The contract will run until March 2027 if only part A is to be delivered. If Part B and C are also required the contract will be for two years with a break clause after the first year, pending user and stakeholder engagement and funding decisions for 2027/28. Delivery of the full requirement will need extensive experience of: the education system, professional development and the use of technology in schools in England. development of digital content using Government Digital Service principles. The tender documentation will be clear that the pathway must: be co-designed and tested with the sector. be designed for all publicly funded schools and trusts. be based on robust evidence. support self-efficacy and professional development. be aligned to the national curriculum and consider professional development standards and frameworks. be inclusive, flexible, adaptable and cognisant of workload.

Planning Information

A market engagement session will take place on 2 June 2026 from 11:00-12:00. The link for this session is: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/377473666032143?p=Km3Vwrcc6wfbbXobP1 Meeting ID: 377 473 666 032 143 Passcode: WE3Ky3uq

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0699ae
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/045995-2026
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

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

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

80 - Education and training services

CPV Codes

72000000 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

72212931 - Training software development services

73220000 - Development consultancy services

80000000 - Education and training services

80200000 - Secondary education services

80420000 - E-learning services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£300,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
20 May 20263 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
15 Jun 20264 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
30 Aug 2026 - 31 Aug 2027 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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