Planning

Matrix Standard administration and management

DEPARTMENT FOR EDUCATION

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

18 May 2026 at 12:10

UK3 - Planned Procurement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Department for Education has initiated a planned procurement process to secure an organisation tasked with managing, administering, and delivering the matrix Standard, which evaluates information, advice, and guidance services related to learning and work. This concession contract involves providing assessment and accreditation services across the UK, supported by a network of independent practitioners. The procurement is at the planning stage, with tender documents published on 18 May 2026. The process follows an open competition method suitable for opportunities below the threshold, with the tender period closing on 17 July 2026. The contract is valued at up to £3,600,000 and includes a base term starting on 1 October 2026, potentially extendable until 30 September 2029.

This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses specialising in system quality assurance, education, and training services. Companies with expertise in managing certification processes, digital service platforms, and practitioner training would find this contract particularly beneficial. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs) are encouraged to apply, given the competitive concession model based on economic and quality criteria. Successful bidders will benefit from providing a critical service that supports organisational compliance with the matrix Standard, creating a well-regarded impact across diverse sectors in England and beyond.

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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 October 2026 and shall run for an initial term of one (1) year until 30 September 2027. 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 October 2027 to 30 September 2028 Optional Extension Period 2: 1 October 2028 to 30 September 2029 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/045336-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK3 - Planned Procurement 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

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

80 - Education and training services

CPV Codes

72225000 - System quality assurance assessment and review services

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
18 May 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
17 Jul 20262 months to go
Future Notice Date
29 Jun 20264 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
30 Sep 2026 - 30 Sep 2027 6-12 months
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
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)

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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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