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GMCA2197 MBacc Award (Stage 1) Evaluation & Learning Partner

Greater Manchester Combined Authority

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

20 Oct 2026 at 08:21

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Greater Manchester Combined Authority is considering an independent evaluation and learning partner for Stage 1 of the MBacc Award. The work would assess how the programme is implemented, its effectiveness and inclusivity, and its early outcomes. It would involve engagement with young people, schools, colleges, employers and other stakeholders, with particular consideration of disadvantaged learners, including young people with special educational needs and disabilities and those in alternative provision. The partner would design and deliver a proportionate mixed-method evaluation, provide learning to inform programme development, and prepare interim and final evaluation reports. This is research and evaluation consultancy in education. Delivery is in Greater Manchester.

The process is at the planning stage: GMCA is conducting preliminary market engagement to shape the potential commission, budget and procurement approach; there is no invitation to tender yet, and GMCA is not committed to proceeding with a procurement or contract. The engagement seeks feedback on the proposed scope and methodology, deliverability and timescales, data and research needs, market capacity, commercial considerations, likely procurement approach, indicative costs and pricing assumptions. GMCA expects the contract period to run from 4 January 2027 to 31 March 2028, with a possible extension to 31 March 2029. These are indicative planning dates, not bid deadlines. The potential work is presented as one lot, with renewal anticipated. Clarification questions for the engagement were due by 26 October 2026 and responses by 30 October 2026.

This commission is likely to suit evaluation, research and learning consultancies able to design and deliver proportionate mixed-method studies in education or youth programmes. Relevant strengths include assessing implementation, effectiveness, inclusion and early outcomes; gathering evidence from young people and a diverse group of education, employer and other stakeholders; and turning findings into timely, practical learning for programme development. Suppliers should be prepared to address the experiences of disadvantaged learners, including those with special educational needs and disabilities and those in alternative provision. The expected outputs include interim and final evaluation reports. GMCA is actively seeking supplier views on methodology, deliverability, data and research requirements, market capacity, commercial assumptions and cost drivers, so organisations with informed views on shaping the commission can contribute during this engagement. The work is marked as suitable for SMEs and voluntary, community and social enterprises.»} ელipse彩票大发快三? We have wrong end quote? JSON valid string includes apostrophe okay. Business benefits 100? Count around 110. notice details 120. notice_info 107. Great. But mentions engagement deadlines despite dates details okay, response deadlines are past but direct language? Part3 says indicative dates as expectations, but actual market engagement dates deadlines factual and process planning. Dates sole field. no present availability. good. Output contains » accidental closing quote character within string after enterprises, should remove. Also exact 3 fields. Need unicode no issue. Remove. ૂંક(final)示. **Wait dates engagement deadline dates likely prior to notice? dates 2026 October, release Oct 20, questions Oct 26, response Oct 30. good.** Output. No word

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

GMCA2197 MBacc Award (Stage 1) Evaluation & Learning Partner

Notice Description

Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) is considering the appointment of an independent Evaluation and Learning Partner to evaluate Stage 1 of the MBacc Award. The commission would assess the programme's implementation, effectiveness, inclusivity and early outcomes, drawing on engagement with young people, schools, colleges, employers and other key stakeholders. The partner would be expected to develop and deliver a proportionate mixed-method evaluation, provide timely learning to support programme development, and produce interim and final evaluation reports. The evaluation would include appropriate consideration of disadvantaged learners, including young people with special educational needs and disabilities and those in alternative provision. GMCA is currently undertaking preliminary market engagement to inform the scope, budget and procurement approach for this potential future opportunity.

Planning Information

Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) is inviting prospective suppliers to take part in preliminary market engagement for the potential future appointment of an independent Evaluation and Learning Partner for the MBacc Award. The potential commission would evaluate the programme’s implementation, effectiveness, inclusivity and early outcomes, drawing on engagement with young people, schools, colleges, employers and other key stakeholders. The partner would be expected to develop and deliver a proportionate mixed-method evaluation, provide timely learning to inform programme development, and produce interim and final evaluation reports. The evaluation would include appropriate consideration of disadvantaged learners, including young people with special educational needs and disabilities and those in alternative provision. Through this engagement, GMCA is seeking supplier feedback on the proposed scope and methodology, deliverability and timescales, data and research requirements, market capacity, commercial considerations and the potential procurement approach. In particular, feedback is requested on indicative costs, key pricing assumptions and principal cost drivers. How to respond Suppliers wishing to participate in this market engagement excerise can find all relevant information on the Chest via the following link: https://procontract.due-north.com/Advert?advertId=711200b2-c2cb-f111-8141-6045bdf14b1f Deadline for clarification questions: 5pm Monday 26th October 2026 Deadline for market engagement responses: 5pm Friday 30th October 2026 This market engagement exercise does not form part of a formal procurement process and does not commit GMCA to undertake a procurement, enter into a contract or reimburse suppliers for any costs incurred in responding. Any information provided at this stage is indicative, subject to change and will not be evaluated as part of any future procurement process.GMCA will consider the feedback received when refining the potential commission, but may not adopt all suggestions.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-078b55
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/098739-2026
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

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

80 - Education and training services

CPV Codes

73200000 - Research and development consultancy services

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
20 Oct 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
4 Jan 2027 - 1 Apr 2028 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
Greater Manchester Combined Authority
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
MANCHESTER
Postcode
M1 6EU
Postcode Area
Manchester
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLD North West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLD3 Greater Manchester
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLD33 Manchester
Delivery Location
TLD3 Greater Manchester
Local Authority
Manchester
Electoral Ward
Deansgate
Westminster Constituency
Manchester Central

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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