--- title: "Special Schools Network" ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-65362407-9fdc-4fe4-9ab1-3cdda4136e85" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-65362407-9fdc-4fe4-9ab1-3cdda4136e85" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-65362407-9fdc-4fe4-9ab1-3cdda4136e85.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-65362407-9fdc-4fe4-9ab1-3cdda4136e85.json" source: "Contracts Finder" current_stage: "Planning" buyer: "DEPARTMENT FOR EDUCATION" published: "2020-01-14" --- # Special Schools Network Buyer: DEPARTMENT FOR EDUCATION Current stage: Planning OCID: ocds-b5fd17-65362407-9fdc-4fe4-9ab1-3cdda4136e85 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-65362407-9fdc-4fe4-9ab1-3cdda4136e85) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-65362407-9fdc-4fe4-9ab1-3cdda4136e85.json) ## Summary The Department for Education is seeking suppliers to establish and operate a national network for School Business Professionals (SBPs) within special schools. The contract, titled "Special Schools Network," falls under the administrative educational services category and is currently in the planning stage. An engagement event is scheduled for 14th January 2020, with the deadline for engagement set for 21st January 2020. Suppliers will need to create a network that enables peer-to-peer engagement and professional development for SBPs, addressing the unique challenges faced in this sector. The procurement is intended to support SBPs in sharing best practices and facilitating meetings across various locations. This tender presents a valuable opportunity for businesses, particularly those specialising in educational services, networking solutions, or event management. Companies well-versed in professional development, online forum management, and innovative business planning will be particularly well-suited to compete for this contract. The focus on inclusivity means that both small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs) are encouraged to participate, enhancing the potential for business growth within the special education sector. ## Notice Department for Education require a supplier to create and deliver a national network for School Business Professionals in the special school sector. Supporting peer-to-peer engagement, professional development and sharing of best practice for the School Business Professional. The supplier should create a bespoke professional network for SBPs in special schools that addresses topics and challenges unique to the sector, that are not covered through existing networks. The supplier will be required to: 1. Organise, plan, arrange venues to facilitate face-to-face network meetings/conference of a high standard. Minimum of two national meetings per year. Face-to-face meetings held in locations that ensure coverage across the country. 2. Provide and facilitate an online forum for network members. Forum to be based on the needs of the membership. 3. Develop a business plan that includes steps for ensuring network sustainability with a low/no cost membership fee model and appropriate network governance established. 4. Help SBPs to share expertise, best practice and CPD opportunities in all areas of the ISBL school business professional standards. 5. Attend termly meetings of the DfE network leaders' forum, connecting with other network leaders. 6. Ensure the network is inclusive to all SBPs in the special schools sector, for example LA maintained schools, academies (SATs & MATs) and free schools. Please submit any clarification questions to Schools Commercial email: schools.commercial@education.gov.uk There will also be an opportunity to ask clarification questions at a market engagement event which we will run by Skype. The Skype Market Engagement Event providing more information for interested parties will be held on the 14th January 2020. To register your interest in attending this (by Skype) please contact SCT via email: schools.commercial@education.gov.uk ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Contracts Finder | | Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/8532eae3-1f64-48f8-b597-0f57f5adfdaf | | Notice type | Market Engagement Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | 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 | 14 Jan 2020 | | Submission deadline | Not specified | | Future notice date | 21 Jan 2020 | | 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 | MANCHESTER | | Post town | Manchester | | Postcode | M1 2WD | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLD North West (England) | | ITL 2 | TLD3 Greater Manchester | | ITL 3 | TLD33 Manchester | | Local authority | Manchester | | Electoral ward | Piccadilly | | Westminster constituency | Manchester Central | | Delivery location | Not specified | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 75 - Administration, defence and social security services - 80 - Education and training services ### Codes - 75121000 - Administrative educational services - 80340000 - Special education services ## Release History - 14 Jan 2020 at 15:27 - Planning - Market Engagement Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/8532eae3-1f64-48f8-b597-0f57f5adfdaf - 23 Dec 2019 at 13:56 - Planning - Market Engagement Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/8532eae3-1f64-48f8-b597-0f57f5adfdaf - 17 Dec 2019 at 15:33 - Planning - Market Engagement Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/8532eae3-1f64-48f8-b597-0f57f5adfdaf ## Documents - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/8532eae3-1f64-48f8-b597-0f57f5adfdaf 14th January 2020 - Early engagement notice on Contracts Finder - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/fe088ccc-b93b-4d33-85fb-5f6aa71cd003 - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/2cf52337-5963-4663-8f52-2f4f9e75df4e Clarification Q&A - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/9f13239f-8503-48d3-920f-05886e9793e3 ## 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-b5fd17-65362407-9fdc-4fe4-9ab1-3cdda4136e85. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-65362407-9fdc-4fe4-9ab1-3cdda4136e85.json.