Planning

Mandarin Programme (2027 onwards)

DEPARTMENT FOR EDUCATION

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

28 May 2026 at 16:12

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Department for Education in the United Kingdom is currently in the planning stage of a public procurement process titled "Mandarin Programme (2027 onwards)" focused on services related to education and training. The primary aim is to support the teaching of Mandarin in state-funded schools across England. While this is a preliminary engagement notice and not an open competition, interested organisations are invited to an online information session on 17 June 2026 from 14:00 to 15:00. Potential contracts are expected to start on 1 September 2027, concluding by 31 August 2030. This planning stage is a part of market engagement intended to refine the Department's requirements, with a critical milestone on 31 August 2026. The physical address of the buyer is Sanctuary Buildings, 20 Great Smith Street, London, UK.

This procurement process offers businesses specialising in education services the opportunity to influence a significant national programme. The potential contract presents avenues for SMEs and VCSEs to integrate innovative solutions into the state's educational framework. With its focus on enhancing the Mandarin proficiency in state-funded schools, businesses excelling in language education, curriculum development, or digital learning tools could find this engagement particularly aligned with their expertise. While not guaranteeing a formal competition, participation in the engagement process allows organisations to better understand the needs and dynamics of the Department for Education's tendering process.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Mandarin Programme (2027 onwards)

Notice Description

The Mandarin Excellence Programme runs until 31 August 2027, and the Department will be seeking to award a contract from 1 September 2027 for delivery of a programme to support the teaching of Mandarin in state-funded schools in England. Preliminary Market Engagement is being undertaken to inform and refine the Department's requirements as it considers options for a programme to support the teaching of Mandarin in state-funded schools in England. This engagement is intended to support the development of a programme that is deliverable, value for money, and responsive to the needs of the education sector, while encouraging innovation and effective competition within the supplier market. This is a zero-value notice for early market engagement and is not a call for competition. The Department for Education reserves the right not to enter a formal procurement process and not proceed with contract award.

Planning Information

The purpose of this engagement notice is to notify organisations of the Department's intention to enable interested parties, including prospective bidders, to sign up for an online information session on: Wednesday 17 June 2026, 14:00 – 15:00. Information regarding this session will be available to those who register their interest on our e-tendering portal Jaggaer, https://education.app.jaggaer.com

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06a82e
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/050531-2026
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

80 - Education and training services

CPV Codes

80000000 - Education and training services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
28 May 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
31 Aug 20263 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Aug 2027 - 31 Aug 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
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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