---
title: "CBC-2107-RFI-SK Alternative Education Framework re-commission (Request for Information)"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-0784b3"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0784b3"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0784b3.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0784b3.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Planning"
buyer: "Central Bedfordshire Council"
published: "2026-10-09"
---

# CBC-2107-RFI-SK Alternative Education Framework re-commission (Request for Information)

Buyer: Central Bedfordshire Council  
Current stage: Planning  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-0784b3

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## Summary

Central Bedfordshire Council and Bedford Borough Council are jointly developing a framework for alternative education and provision. It is intended to cover education and training services, including special education, online learning, vocational training and tutoring. Delivery is expected across Central Bedfordshire and Bedford Borough. The councils are seeking provider input while they define the service requirements, aims, contract monitoring, quality assurance, social value and procurement approach. The framework is intended to support alternative provision for learners who need education outside mainstream settings. Providers interested in education or specialist support services in these areas may find the proposed scope relevant, while the final requirements are still being developed.

This is at the planning stage: the councils have announced an intention to procure but have not issued an invitation to tender. They expect to hold a pre-market engagement session online via Microsoft Teams on 27 October 2026, from 13:30 to 15:30, to explain the proposed framework and gather provider feedback. The councils aim to open applications in November 2026. The framework is intended to start on 1 September 2027 and run to 31 August 2031, with a possible extension to 31 August 2035. It is planned as a single-lot framework agreement. No estimated value or application deadline is stated. The councils have not yet set out the tender procedure or the evaluation criteria.

The councils indicate that the framework is suitable for small and medium-sized businesses and voluntary, community and social enterprises. It may suit providers able to deliver alternative education and provision, including specialist education, online learning, vocational training or tutoring, in Central Bedfordshire or Bedford Borough. The engagement agenda signals the areas providers should be ready to discuss: defining alternative education, the councils’ aims and analysis, contract monitoring, quality assurance, social value and the procurement process. This is an opportunity to help shape requirements before the formal competition, rather than to submit a bid now. Providers with relevant delivery experience and the ability to meet quality and monitoring expectations are likely to be well placed to contribute as the councils develop the framework.

## Notice

Pre-Market Engagement Notice - Alternative Education and Provision Framework Alternative Education and Provision Tender Central Bedfordshire Council and Bedford Borough Council are developing a new Alternative Education and Provision Framework, which is intended to commence on 1 September 2027. We are aiming to open the procurement opportunity for applications in November 2026 and would like to invite interested providers to attend a Pre-Market Engagement Event via Microsoft Teams on: Date: Tuesday 27 October 2026 Time: 13:30 - 15:30 The session will provide an opportunity for providers to learn more about the proposed framework, understand the councils' requirements, and ask questions ahead of the procurement process. Agenda Defining Alternative Education and Provision Our Aims and Analysis Contract Monitoring Quality Assurance Procurement Process Social Value Tender Timelines Questions and Close If you would like to attend, or have any queries regarding the event, please contact: Lynzy Stimpson-Sharpley Lynzy.Stimpson-Sharpley@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk We look forward to engaging with providers and welcoming your feedback as we develop the new framework.

### Planning Information

Central Bedfordshire Council and Bedford Borough Council are developing a new Alternative Education and Provision Framework, which is intended to commence on 1 September 2027.
We are aiming to open the procurement opportunity for applications in November 2026 and would like to invite interested providers to attend a Pre-Market Engagement Event via Microsoft Teams.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/095629-2026 |
| Notice type | UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice |
| Procurement type | Framework |
| Procurement category | Services |
| 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 Oct 2026 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | 16 Nov 2026 |
| Award date | Not specified |
| Contract period | 1 Sep 2027 - 31 Aug 2031 |
| 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 | Planning |
| Awards status | Not specified |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | Central Bedfordshire Council |
| Locality | SHEFFORD |
| Postcode area | Stevenage |
| Postcode | SG17 5TQ |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLH East (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLH2 Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire |
| ITL 3 | TLH25 Central Bedfordshire |
| Local authority | Central Bedfordshire |
| Electoral ward | Shefford |
| Westminster constituency | Hitchin |
| Delivery location | TLH24 Bedford, TLH25 Central Bedfordshire |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 80 - Education and training services

### Codes

- 80000000 - Education and training services
- 80340000 - Special education services
- 80420000 - E-learning services
- 80530000 - Vocational training services
- 80590000 - Tutorial services

## Release History

- 9 Oct 2026 at 12:26 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/095629-2026

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/095629-2026
  9th October 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- https://www.bedford.gov.uk
- https://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents

## 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-h6vhtk-0784b3. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0784b3.json.