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Matrix Standard administration and management

DEPARTMENT FOR EDUCATION

This public procurement record has 4 releases in its history.

Tender

03 Aug 2026 at 12:04

UK4 - Tender Notice
PlanningUpdate

14 Jul 2026 at 16:25

UK3 - Planned Procurement Notice
PlanningUpdate

23 Jun 2026 at 08:27

UK3 - Planned Procurement Notice
Planning

18 May 2026 at 12:10

UK3 - Planned Procurement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Department for Education, located in London, is currently in the tender stage for the procurement of an organisation to manage and administer the Matrix Standard. The contract focuses on the quality standard for information, advice, and guidance on learning and work. The industry category is education and training services, and the contract will be delivered across England, with assessments possibly covering the broader UK. The procurement process is open competition and involves a concession contract model, where services are funded through fees. The deadline for tender submissions is 28th August 2026, with expected contract commencement on 1st February 2027, lasting initially for one year, with options for extension up to a total of three years.

This tender presents a significant opportunity for businesses specialising in education and training services, particularly those experienced in quality assurance and accreditation processes. Firms that excel in stakeholder engagement, digital service management, and marketing will find this opportunity well-suited for their capacities. The Department for Education encourages participation from SMEs and VCSEs, promoting business growth by managing the Matrix Standard, which currently accredits approximately 1,380 organisations. This ensures ongoing demand for assessments and continuous improvement checks, thereby providing a sustained customer base and the potential for increased recognition in the industry.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Matrix Standard administration and management

Notice Description

The Department for Education is seeking to procure an organisation to manage, administer and deliver the matrix Standard, the Government's quality standard for the provision of information, advice and guidance on learning and work. The contract will cover the delivery of a nationwide assessment and accreditation service for organisations seeking certification against the matrix Standard, including initial assessments, certification reviews and annual Continuous Improvement Checks (CICs). As at December 2025, approximately 1,380 organisations are accredited, with several hundred assessments and checks undertaken annually. The successful provider will be responsible for the effective end-to-end management of the Standard, including: delivery of assessment and accreditation services through a network of qualified independent practitioners management and maintenance of the matrix Standard website and associated digital services management of the practitioner register, including recruitment, training and ongoing professional development quality assurance of assessment and certification processes to ensure consistency and integrity of the Standard provision of management information and reporting to the Department promotion and marketing of the matrix Standard to increase awareness and uptake stakeholder engagement across a range of sectors The service must be delivered across England and may include wider UK coverage, with assessments undertaken through a range of delivery methods including on-site, remote and hybrid approaches. This will be a concession contract, with the service funded through fees charged to organisations for assessments and continuous improvement checks, and registration fees paid by practitioners.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: The contract shall commence on 1 February 2027 and shall run for an initial term of one (1) year until 31 January 2028. The Authority reserves the right, at its sole discretion and subject to satisfactory performance, to extend the contract for up to two further optional extension periods of one (1) year each: * Optional Extension Period 1: 1 February 2028 to 31 January 2029 * Optional Extension Period 2: 1 February 29 to 31st January 2030 The maximum possible contract term is three (3) years

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-069af0
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/073161-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Planning, Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Below threshold - open competition
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
£3,000,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£3,000,000 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
3 Aug 20262 days ago
Submission Deadline
28 Aug 20264 weeks to go
Future Notice Date
3 Aug 2026Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Feb 2027 - 31 Jan 2028 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Active
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

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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