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Framework to Provide Supply Agency Staff Services

HEART ACADEMIES TRUST

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Planning

28 Aug 2026 at 16:44

UK3 - Planned Procurement Notice
PlanningUpdate

28 Aug 2026 at 16:22

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

28 Aug 2026 at 16:20

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

HEART Academies Trust intends to reopen a framework for recruitment and supply agency staffing services across the United Kingdom, supporting eligible education-sector contracting authorities. The framework will cover teaching staff, education support staff and other non-teaching personnel for temporary assignments, fixed-term employment and permanent roles. Three service models are planned. Direct Provision suppliers will deliver recruitment services themselves. A Master Vendor will provide a managed service, sourcing and administering workers while managing the full supply chain. A Neutral Vendor will manage an approved supply chain without directly supplying its own workers, except that affiliated businesses may provide up to 20% of workers. The work is a nationwide recruitment and managed staffing service for the education sector.

This procurement is at the planning stage: the buyer has stated an intention to reopen the existing framework, but has not yet invited tenders. An open procedure is expected, with electronic submission in English through Cimple. The tender notice and procurement documents are expected on 30 October 2026; the estimated tender submission deadline is 27 November 2026 at 12 noon, and the estimated award date is 21 January 2027. The planned framework has three lots: Direct Provision, Master Vendor and Neutral Vendor. Estimated values are £425 million, £297.5 million and £127.5 million respectively, excluding VAT, with gross values of £510 million, £357 million and £153 million. Each lot will be assessed on quality at 50%, social value at 10% and price at 40%. Three one-hour online supplier engagement sessions are planned for 8, 20 and 27 October 2026; suppliers need attend only one.

This will suit recruitment agencies, education staffing specialists and managed service providers able to supply teaching and education support workers at national scale. Direct Provision suppliers will need to handle temporary, fixed-term and permanent placements and maintain a strong understanding of recruitment legislation, policy and good practice. Master Vendor applicants should be able to source workers directly or through an approved, accredited supply chain, administer the service, manage workforce technology and take responsibility for supply-chain performance. Neutral Vendor applicants should be experienced in impartial supply-chain management, talent pools and workforce fulfilment without relying on their own worker supply; affiliated businesses may provide only a limited share of workers. Relevant capabilities include compliance with the Agency Workers Regulations, IR35 and National Minimum Wage requirements, prompt regulatory communication, adaptable processes and certification from a recognised or approved accreditation body. The framework is intended to allow new, previously unsuccessful and existing suppliers to apply or revise their offering when reopened.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Framework to Provide Supply Agency Staff Services

Notice Description

This is the reopening of Framework to Provide Supply Agency Staff Services - ocds-h6vhtk-05abb2 HEART Academies Trust, supported by Value Match Services, intends to undertake the first reopening of the Framework to Provide Supply Agency Staff Services. The open framework was established to provide eligible education-sector contracting authorities with access to suppliers of temporary, fixed-term and permanent teaching and non-teaching staff across the United Kingdom. The reopening will cover: Lot 1 - Direct Provision Lot 2 - Master Vendor Lot 3 - Neutral Vendor The reopening will provide an opportunity for new suppliers, previously unsuccessful suppliers and existing framework suppliers seeking to expand or revise their offering to apply for appointment to the relevant lot or lots. The tender notice and associated procurement documents are expected to be published on 30 October 2026. The estimated deadline for tender submissions is 27 November 2026 at 12pm. The estimated contract award date is 21 January 2027. The procurement will be conducted electronically through Cimple. Suppliers will be able to express an interest, access the procurement documents and submit a tender following publication of the tender notice: https://cimple.uk/ All dates are indicative and may be amended in the tender notice and associated procurement documents.

Lot Information

Direct Provision

The appointed Supplier will be responsible for delivering recruitment services for the provision of supply teachers, education support staff, and other temporary and permanent staffing requirements. This will include: * Temporary assignments via employment agencies * Fixed-term employment via employment agencies * Permanent employment via employment agencies The Supplier must remain informed of developments within the recruitment sector, including changes in policy, legislation, and best practice. Ongoing compliance with relevant regulations-such as the Agency Workers Regulations (AWR), IR35, and National Minimum Wage-is essential. Additionally, the Supplier is required to hold and maintain certification from a recognised Accreditation Body and ensure that any regulatory or market changes are promptly communicated to the Contracting Authority. Where necessary, appropriate adjustments must be made to internal processes and procedures to reflect such changes.

Renewal: The Contracting Authority intends to operate the Framework for a maximum duration of eight (8) years, with the intention to re-open the Framework on an annual basis to allow for the inclusion of new suppliers and ensure continued value and compliance. A Re Opening Notice will be published detailing the scope of services, eligibility criteria, submission deadlines and evaluation methodology. The following types of Suppliers can apply/re-apply: -New suppliers not previously included -Previously unsuccessful suppliers -Existing suppliers seeking to expand or revise their offering Suppliers meeting the criteria will be added to the Framework and become eligible for selection in Direct Awards or Mini Competitions

Master Vendor

Managed service requirements of supply teachers, education support staff and other temporary, fixed term or permanent staffing services. The Contracting Authority is seeking a Managed Service Provider (MSP) to deliver comprehensive recruitment services that meet its workforce requirements. This includes the sourcing, engagement, and administration of supply teachers, education support staff, and other temporary, fixed term or permanent personnel through standardised processes and the effective use of technology. The appointed Master Vendor will be solely responsible for delivering recruitment services and managing the entire supply chain. This includes: * Temporary assignments via employment agencies * Fixed-term employment via employment agencies * Permanent employment via employment agencies The Supplier may fulfil staffing requirements directly from its own resource pool and may also manage additional supply through an approved and accredited supply chain. Where appropriate, the Supplier may establish and manage a talent pool on behalf of the Contracting Authority. Workers sourced via this pool may be employed either by the Employment Business or directly by the Contracting Authority. The Contracting Authority will contract with the Master Vendor, who will retain full responsibility for the performance and compliance of its supply chain. The Supplier must hold and maintain certification from a recognised Accreditation Body and ensure full compliance with all applicable legislation and regulatory requirements, including but not limited to the Agency Workers Regulations (AWR), IR35, and National Minimum Wage. The Supplier is expected to remain up to date with changes in recruitment practices, market conditions, and relevant policies and legislation. Any such changes must be communicated promptly to the Contracting Authority, with necessary adjustments made to operational processes and procedures.

Renewal: The Contracting Authority intends to operate the Framework for a maximum duration of eight (8) years, with the intention to re-open the Framework on an annual basis to allow for the inclusion of new suppliers and ensure continued value and compliance. A Re Opening Notice will be published detailing the scope of services, eligibility criteria, submission deadlines and evaluation methodology. The following types of Suppliers can apply/re-apply: -New suppliers not previously included -Previously unsuccessful suppliers -Existing suppliers seeking to expand or revise their offering Suppliers meeting the criteria will be added to the Framework and become eligible for selection in Direct Awards or Mini Competitions

Neutral Vendor

The Contracting Authority is seeking a Neutral Vendor to deliver managed recruitment services for supply teachers, education support staff, and other temporary staffing needs. The appointed Supplier will take full responsibility for meeting the Contracting Authority's workforce requirements. As a Neutral Vendor, the Supplier will not directly supply workers from its own organisation and may only source up to 20% of workers through affiliated businesses. All other staffing requirements must be fulfilled via an approved and accredited supply chain. The Supplier will manage the provision of staff for: * Temporary assignments via employment businesses * Fixed-term employment via employment agencies * Permanent employment via employment agencies The Supplier may establish and manage a talent pool on behalf of the Contracting Authority. Workers sourced through this pool may be employed either by the Employment Business or directly by the Contracting Authority. The Contracting Authority will enter into a contract with the Neutral Vendor, who will be fully responsible for the performance and compliance of its supply chain. All supply agencies within the Suppliers supply chain must hold certification from an approved Accreditation Body. The Supplier managing the supply chain is responsible for ensuring that all participating Suppliers are appropriately accredited and ensure full compliance with all relevant legislation and regulatory requirements, including but not limited to the Agency Workers Regulations (AWR), IR35, and National Minimum Wage. The Supplier is expected to remain informed of changes in recruitment practices, market conditions, and applicable policies and legislation. Any such changes must be communicated promptly to the Contracting Authority, with necessary updates made to operational processes and procedures.

Renewal: The Contracting Authority intends to operate the Framework for a maximum duration of eight (8) years, with the intention to re-open the Framework on an annual basis to allow for the inclusion of new suppliers and ensure continued value and compliance. A Re Opening Notice will be published detailing the scope of services, eligibility criteria, submission deadlines and evaluation methodology. The following types of Suppliers can apply/re-apply: -New suppliers not previously included -Previously unsuccessful suppliers -Existing suppliers seeking to expand or revise their offering Suppliers meeting the criteria will be added to the Framework and become eligible for selection in Direct Awards or Mini Competitions

Planning Information

Three one-hour online sessions will be held via Microsoft Teams: 8 October 2026, 10.00 am-11.00 am 20 October 2026, 10.00 am-11.00 am 27 October 2026, 11.00 am-12 noon Each session will cover the same information and suppliers need only attend one session. Suppliers wishing to participate should contact procurement@heartacademiestrust.co.uk, confirming their preferred session.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06eeea
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/082362-2026
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
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

CPV Codes

79000000 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£850,000,000 £100M-£1B
Lots Value
£850,000,000 £100M-£1B
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
28 Aug 20264 days ago
Submission Deadline
27 Nov 20263 months to go
Future Notice Date
30 Oct 20262 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
21 Jan 2027 - 31 Jan 2030 3-4 years
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
HEART ACADEMIES TRUST
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
BEDFORD
Postcode
MK42 9TR
Postcode Area
Milton Keynes
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLH East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLH2 Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLH24 Bedford
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Bedford
Electoral Ward
Cauldwell
Westminster Constituency
Bedford

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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