--- title: "EdTech Assistive Technology Testbed Programme" ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-7b706ec1-6966-425a-93bd-b22a4bc647e3" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-7b706ec1-6966-425a-93bd-b22a4bc647e3" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-7b706ec1-6966-425a-93bd-b22a4bc647e3.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-7b706ec1-6966-425a-93bd-b22a4bc647e3.json" source: "Contracts Finder" current_stage: "Planning" buyer: "DEPARTMENT FOR EDUCATION" published: "2020-02-11" --- # EdTech Assistive Technology Testbed Programme Buyer: DEPARTMENT FOR EDUCATION Current stage: Planning OCID: ocds-b5fd17-7b706ec1-6966-425a-93bd-b22a4bc647e3 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-7b706ec1-6966-425a-93bd-b22a4bc647e3) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-7b706ec1-6966-425a-93bd-b22a4bc647e3.json) ## Summary The Department for Education is initiating the EdTech Assistive Technology Testbed Programme to appoint a delivery partner for the design, management, implementation, and evaluation of the Assistive Technology (AT) Testbed programme. This procurement falls under the planning stage and involves a budget of £300,000 for the fiscal year 2020-21. The contract period is set to commence on 1st April 2020 and conclude by 31st July 2021. Interested parties must apply to be registered on the Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) by 6th February 2020, with the procurement process expected to launch the week of 17th February 2020. The procurement is classified under "Research and experimental development services" and will utilise a selective procurement method via a call-off from the DPS. This tender represents a significant opportunity for businesses in the education and assistive technology sectors, especially those with experience in research, evaluation, and working with students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Companies that can form consortia to meet the experience requirements are encouraged to apply, as the programme aims to build evidence on effective AT practices in educational settings. By participating in the AT Testbed Programme, businesses can not only contribute to invaluable research but also enhance their visibility and reputation within the education sector, positioning themselves for further growth in public procurement opportunities. ## Notice The purpose of the PIN is to initiate market engagement. It is not a call for competition. This PIN is intended to inform the market of a potential future procurement exercise to appoint a delivery partner to work with the Department on the design, management, implementation and evaluation of the Assistive Technology (AT) Testbed programme. The Testbed will support short-cycle evaluations of AT use in schools and colleges. We will be holding two webinars: Tuesday 4th and Wednesday 5th February 2020, 14:00-15:00. Please email edtech.team@education.gov.uk to express your interest and we will send on the invite. All information from the day will be made available to those who are unable to attend. **IMPORTANT** The procurement will be run using DfE's Education and Children's Social Care (ECSC) Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS). Please ensure that you are fully registered on the Redimo2 system and accepted onto the DPS in order to see the opportunity. You must have applied for the DPS by 06/02/20 at the latest to guarantee acceptance before this opportunity goes live. If you are not FULLY registered onto the DPS and have selected your category codes by the publication date you will not be able to bid. We anticipate that the opportunity will be launched on the Redimo2 system in the week commencing 17/02/20. Redimo 2 guidance: https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/db987548-9c78-4581-ad0b-fabda89bbfec DFE registration/ECSC DPS application process: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-education/about/procurement#redimo2 Redimo 2 portal: https://supplierlive.proactisp2p.com/Account/Login/?cid=DFE Procurement Description: We anticipate that the delivery partner will use up to PS300,000 of funding available in FY2020-21, to undertake short-cycle evaluations (for example an academic year or less) of AT in schools and colleges, assessing the impact of AT for students with SEND. The delivery partner would have responsibility for working with the DfE to: - Identify/recruit Testbed schools/colleges who use AT to support their pupils with SEND - Set the evaluation framework, measurement tools and baseline assessments (without using 'control groups' where AT are actively withheld from SEND pupils), and manage the evaluation process - Collect the post-intervention data and assess impact - Analyse impact data and produce a research report - Provide progress reports to ensure the conditions of contract are met and value for money is achieved - Effectively communicate key messages/emerging findings via appropriate channels to the wider sector, catering to the needs/preferences of various audiences - Evaluate the AT Testbed programme The findings and evaluation of the AT Testbed programme will provide a clearer understanding and raise awareness of what AT works in which contexts. These findings will support and steer future policy direction by identifying the factors and types of products that have the greatest impact. Additional information: We are holding market engagement events to engage with suppliers that are interested in and capable of delivering the above services. These events will provide information about the expected procurement process and the high-level commercial and financial principles applicable to the services. We would welcome applicants lacking experience in a particular area to enter as part of a consortium with partners that have the relevant experience. The lead bidder must be registered on DfE's DPS (see above). The delivery partner is expected to have experience of working with schools and colleges in England, including the special school and college sectors, have expertise in research and impact evaluation and have in-depth knowledge and understanding of pupils and students with SEND and AT. Background: DfE's EdTech Strategy (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/realising-the-potential-of-technology-in-education) recognised assistive technologies (AT), as a key area of opportunity where technology can support access, inclusion and improved educational outcomes for all. Whilst there are examples of effective AT practice across England, many parents, pupils, students, teachers, Special Educational Needs Coordinators (SENCOs), and administrators are failing to access and exploit the potential benefits. Additionally, much of the current academic evidence on the impact of AT is inaccessible, difficult to digest and too general for many to make informed decisions on the choice and implementation of AT. To help address these issues, DfE launched a challenge to the EdTech sector to "identify the best technology that is proven to help level the playing field for learners with special educational needs and disabilities". The Assistive Technology Testbed Programme is a key pillar of the EdTech strategy and is designed to meet this challenge by building the evidence base of what works and communicating key messages and findings regarding the potential of AT for pupils with SEND. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Contracts Finder | | Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/3dafae0b-2403-49e5-9427-0c4903d6463c | | Notice type | Planned Procurement Notice | | Procurement type | Dynamic | | Procurement category | Not specified | | Procurement method | Selective | | Procurement method details | Call-off from a dynamic purchasing system | | Tender suitability | SME, VCSE | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Planning | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 11 Feb 2020 | | Submission deadline | Not specified | | Future notice date | 17 Feb 2020 | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | 31 Mar 2020 - 31 Jul 2021 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £300,000 | | Lots value | Not specified | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Planned | | 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 | Not specified | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services - 79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security - 80 - Education and training services ### Codes - 73100000 - Research and experimental development services - 73210000 - Research consultancy services - 73300000 - Design and execution of research and development - 79419000 - Evaluation consultancy services - 79420000 - Management-related services - 80000000 - Education and training services ## Release History - 11 Feb 2020 at 15:15 - Planning - Planned Procurement Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/3dafae0b-2403-49e5-9427-0c4903d6463c - 6 Feb 2020 at 13:10 - Planning - Planned Procurement Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/3dafae0b-2403-49e5-9427-0c4903d6463c - 22 Jan 2020 at 12:04 - Planning - Planned Procurement Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/3dafae0b-2403-49e5-9427-0c4903d6463c ## Documents - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/3dafae0b-2403-49e5-9427-0c4903d6463c 11th February 2020 - Future opportunity notice on Contracts Finder - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/2245cc61-10e0-42ad-a5d1-ed9112374861 Webinar Q&A Log - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/0d06a103-0142-463d-a474-f46a43a29e6c Webinar Slides - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/752c7ec8-9a77-4e54-baa3-bba82a57fb2f Webinar and Follow Up Q&As ## Notice URLs - https://supplierlive.proactisp2p.com/Account/Login/?cid=DFE - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/db987548-9c78-4581-ad0b-fabda89bbfec - https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-education - https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-education/about/procurement#redimo2 - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/realising-the-potential-of-technology-in-education ## 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-b5fd17-7b706ec1-6966-425a-93bd-b22a4bc647e3. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-7b706ec1-6966-425a-93bd-b22a4bc647e3.json.