--- title: "Project_10223 - EdTech Testbed Programme procurement" ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-09129dc1-fb9e-4dcf-b453-41e2d6720324" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-09129dc1-fb9e-4dcf-b453-41e2d6720324" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-09129dc1-fb9e-4dcf-b453-41e2d6720324.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-09129dc1-fb9e-4dcf-b453-41e2d6720324.json" source: "Contracts Finder" current_stage: "Planning" buyer: "DEPARTMENT FOR EDUCATION" published: "2026-02-09" --- # Project_10223 - EdTech Testbed Programme procurement Buyer: DEPARTMENT FOR EDUCATION Current stage: Planning OCID: ocds-b5fd17-09129dc1-fb9e-4dcf-b453-41e2d6720324 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-09129dc1-fb9e-4dcf-b453-41e2d6720324) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-09129dc1-fb9e-4dcf-b453-41e2d6720324.json) ## Summary The Department for Education (DfE) is planning a procurement process for the "Project_10223 - EdTech Testbed Programme," under the planning stage. This initiative aims to evaluate EdTech tools in real education settings as part of a four-year research and impact programme from FY 2026-27 to FY 2029-30. The procurement is classified under "Research and development services and related consultancy services," and it is suitable for SMEs and VCSEs. It involves various regions across the United Kingdom, including the North East, North West, and London. The project, announced at Bett UK, involves a £23m investment. Interested suppliers must register on the Crown Commercial Services Dynamic Purchasing System, with an early announcement to allow enough time for registration, which typically takes 15-21 days. This procurement offers significant opportunities for businesses in the education technology sector, particularly those specialising in AI tools and Assistive Technologies aimed at reducing workload and improving outcomes. The tender is accessible to those on the Crown Commercial Services Research and Insight Dynamic Purchasing System, making it a strategic entry point for SMEs and VCSEs. Companies involved in business services such as consulting, recruitment, and marketing related to educational technologies would find this tender especially relevant for business growth. The broad regional demand and substantial investment indicate a robust potential market, encouraging suppliers to consider collaborations or consortiums for enhanced participation. ## Notice The EdTech Testbed market engagement event took place on Thursday, 5 February 2026. If you would like to see the presentation slides and the accompanying Q&A log, and/or meeting recording, please email edtech.testbed@education.gov.uk. If you are interested in being connected with other suppliers for the purpose of forming a consortium, we would be happy to collect your details and share them with other interested parties. Please include your contact information, a brief overview of the type of partnership you are seeking, and a summary of your offer. Please email this information to edtech.testbed@education.gov.uk. ****Initial early engagement notice issued 21st January 2026**** Today, at Bett UK, the Secretary of State announced (see link for further details) that the DfE will be investing an additional PS23m to expand our EdTech Impact Testbed pilot into the 4-year DfE EdTech Testbed Programme. The expanded programme will generate robust evidence over 4 years on the effectiveness of EdTech products and practice, including new AI tools and Assistive Technologies (AT), to reduce workload, improve outcomes, and support inclusion. Market Engagement Session: The Department for Education intends to procure a research and delivery supplier to evaluate the impact of EdTech tools in real education settings and deliver Lot 2 of the DfE EdTech Testbed Programme, scheduled to run from FY 2026-27 to FY 2029-30. Procurement Route: Subject to internal approvals, we intend to open the EdTech Testbed tender to suppliers registered on the Crown Commercial Services Research and Insight Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS). We are sharing this information early to ensure potential suppliers have sufficient time to complete registration should they wish to bid. DPS Registration: If you are not currently registered on the Research and Insight DPS, you are encouraged to begin the process as soon as possible via the Supplier Registration Service: Step 1 - Choose type of organisation - Supplier Registration Service Please note that registration typically takes 15-21 days to complete. Suppliers whose registration is not finalised at the point the procurement goes live may be unable to submit a bid. Additional information: Useful links ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Contracts Finder | | Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/efdd2ec6-eb05-417f-b0b7-cf97f1b54fef | | Notice type | Market Engagement Notice | | Procurement type | Dynamic | | Procurement category | Not specified | | Procurement method | Not Specified | | Procurement method details | Not specified | | Tender suitability | SME, VCSE | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Planning | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 9 Feb 2026 | | Submission deadline | Not specified | | Future notice date | 4 Feb 2026 | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | Not specified | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | Not specified | | Lots value | Not specified | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Planning | | Lots status | Not specified | | Awards status | Not specified | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | DEPARTMENT FOR EDUCATION | | Locality | LONDON ​​​​​​​ | | Post town | South West London | | Postcode | SW1P 3BT | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLI London | | ITL 2 | TLI3 Inner London - West | | ITL 3 | TLI35 Westminster and City of London | | Local authority | Westminster | | Electoral ward | St James's | | Westminster constituency | Cities of London and Westminster | | Delivery location | TLC North East (England), TLD North West (England), TLE Yorkshire and The Humber, TLF East Midlands (England), TLG West Midlands (England), TLI London, TLJ South East (England), TLK South West (England) | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services - 79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security ### Codes - 73000000 - Research and development services and related consultancy services - 79000000 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security ## Release History - 9 Feb 2026 at 15:17 - Planning - Market Engagement Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/efdd2ec6-eb05-417f-b0b7-cf97f1b54fef - 9 Feb 2026 at 14:06 - Planning - Market Engagement Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/c8b86987-fd4b-4678-aace-aabc561fd3bd - 5 Feb 2026 at 15:56 - Planning - Market Engagement Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/2d747b07-e9c9-40b7-a7d3-b6b4485b97c3 - 21 Jan 2026 at 11:45 - Planning - Market Engagement Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/786c7574-7f34-4b50-a652-1d9b8e3ab3a8 - 21 Jan 2026 at 11:43 - Planning - Market Engagement Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/b40ba505-9e3d-4f9b-a479-6f1f678fb3d9 - 21 Jan 2026 at 11:41 - Planning - Market Engagement Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/08af349c-69bb-4e7b-9770-e814a412e658 ## Documents - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/efdd2ec6-eb05-417f-b0b7-cf97f1b54fef 9th February 2026 - Early engagement notice on Contracts Finder - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/c8b86987-fd4b-4678-aace-aabc561fd3bd 9th February 2026 - Early engagement notice on Contracts Finder - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/2d747b07-e9c9-40b7-a7d3-b6b4485b97c3 5th February 2026 - Early engagement notice on Contracts Finder - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/786c7574-7f34-4b50-a652-1d9b8e3ab3a8 21st January 2026 - Early engagement notice on Contracts Finder - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/b40ba505-9e3d-4f9b-a479-6f1f678fb3d9 21st January 2026 - Early engagement notice on Contracts Finder - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/08af349c-69bb-4e7b-9770-e814a412e658 21st January 2026 - Early engagement notice on Contracts Finder - https://www.crowncommercial.gov.uk/agreements/RM6126 Link to RM6126 Dynamic Purchasing System - https://supplierregistration.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/organisation/register Link to enable supplier application to the Dynamic Purchasing System - https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/education-secretary-speech-at-bett-uk-conference Education Secretary speech at Bett UK Conference ## Provenance This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-09129dc1-fb9e-4dcf-b453-41e2d6720324. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-09129dc1-fb9e-4dcf-b453-41e2d6720324.json.