Educational Supplies · UK public procurement notice

Planned Procurement Notice.

Notice Reference (Unique ID):

PPN-DFE-SCT – LVHV - 2025-01

Title of the Procurement:

Standardisation and Supply of Tail-End Goods for Schools

Contracting Authority Name:

Department for Education (DfE)

Sanctuary Buildings, 20 Great Smith Street, London, SW1P 3BT

Email: tega.egube@education.gov.uk

Portal: education.app.jaggaer.com ↗

1. Subject-Matter of the Contract

DfE intends to procure or identify the best supply route for supply of low-value, high-variety-high volume- school consumables (tail-end goods), such as classroom stationery, hygiene supplies, and facilities consumables. The goal is to develop and supply a standardised core item list, rationalised for national use by state-funded schools in England.

1. This annual spend estimate across the school estate is between £500miliion and £1.5billion.
2. The budgets currently reside with schools who have decision authority over their procurement.
3. The DfE through this procurement is putting in place or finding a framework that will represent the best deal for schools.
4. As such award of this framework in part or all does not commit the DfE to award a contract but allows it to create or identify what it considers to be the best supply source.
5. Once the DfE finds that solution, it will work to inform and engage schools of the framework with the aim of onboarding them to the deal. DfE will collaborate with other governmental and public sector organisations to do so.
6. Planned Procurement Procedure

Competitive Flexible Procedure

Dynamic Market Membership: No

Two-envelope system (Stage 1 - quality/technical Stage 2 - pricing)

3. Procurement Stages and estimated dates

Preliminary market engagement Aug 1 -Sept 10, 2025 (40 days)

Participation stage Sept 12 -Oct 7, 2025 (25 days)

Evaluation of participation Oct 8 – Oct 14, 2025 (7 days)

Tender Stage 1 (Quality/Core Basket) Oct 21st – Nov 1, 2025 (10 days)

Tender Stage 2 (Price Competition) Nov 7 – 17 2025 (10 days)

Standstill Period Nov 20 – Nov 28 (8 days)

Contract Award & Onboarding Dec 1 2025 and onward

The above schedule is a planned schedule. Market engagements will inform the need for compliance with this schedule or the use of other compliant and commercially viable route if evidence of best value can be identified during the engagement stage or later in the process.

4. Contract Value and Duration

Estimated total value: £500 million to £1.5billion annually.

Duration: 1 year + optional 1-year extension.

Is this subdivided into lots? No – single core list lot (with option to appoint multiple suppliers if advantageous)

Market engagements may indicate the need for multiple lots.

6. Access to Procurement Documents

This will be determined following market engagements.

7. Expression of Interest

Interested suppliers are encouraged to attend a pre-market engagement session.

Deadline for registration of interest: 21 August 2025

Registration link or email: suppliers should register their interest by sending a message via Jaggaer. This opportunity is listed as Educational Supplies (Low Value, High Volume) for schools. Project Code: 10082, Reference: DFE-SCT – LVHV - 2025-01. Guidance to register and access opportunities can be found here

8. Other Relevant Information

• Contract open to: All suppliers meeting the conditions of participation
• Eligibility: SMEs and large suppliers encouraged
• Award criteria:

Stage 1

• Technical quality – (Top 4 suppliers meeting threshold will be progressed)
• Service capability and substitution handling
• Sustainability and social value: will be considered in final evaluation
• Contract performance conditions: MI reporting, price controls, substitution rules
• Geography: England-wide distribution (state-funded schools)

Stage 2

• Price Competitiveness – Most competitive bid

Market engagement will inform the number of suppliers awarded and the terms of awards such as if offers/awards will be made at the price terms of winning bidder.

The DfE is keen to maximise opportunities to participate in procurement for Small to Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) and Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprises (VCSEs). Consideration will also be given to consortia and collaborative bids from all forms of organisations.