Official UK procurement notice
Independent and Non-Maintained Special Schools (INMSS) Open Framework (CN260427)
Authority: Kent County Council (Local council)
What is being bought2 lots · detail below
Published requirement descriptionKent County Council (KCC) is establishing a new Independent and Non‑Maintained Special Schools (INMSS) Open Framework (reference CN260427) to replace the existing NMISS Dynamic Purchasing System when it expires on 31 August 2026. The Framework will support the placement of children and young people with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) whose needs cannot be met in mainstream or maintained special school settings, ensuring continuity of provision and compliance with the Procurement Act 2023.
The Framework will commence on 1 September 2026 for an initial period of 4 years, with potential extensions up to another 4 years, and an estimated maximum total value of £876 million across the full term. It aims to improve outcomes, strengthen quality assurance, enhance pricing transparency, and secure better value for money while ensuring placements remain focused on children with the most complex needs.
Provision under this Framework includes Independent Special Schools (both Section 41 and non‑Section 41) and Non‑Maintained Special Schools. Providers must be appropriately registered with Ofsted or the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) and must meet statutory and contractual quality, safeguarding, and compliance requirements.
The Framework uses a two‑lot structure:
Lot A - Strategic Partners, for Tenderers meeting a higher quality threshold and capable of close strategic collaboration with KCC, including potential consideration for longer‑term arrangements such as block contracting.
Lot B - Approved Providers, meeting the standard quality threshold.
The procurement will be conducted via a Competitive Flexible Procedure, comprising a Conditions of Participation Stage followed by an Invitation to Tender for shortlisted providers. Quality evaluation thresholds will determine allocation to Lots.
For full details, all suppliers must access the opportunity through the Kent Business Portal and download the complete document pack: www.kentbusinessportal.org.uk ↗
- How the procedure runs: The procurement process the Council is undertaking to procure the required services is a Competitive Flexible Procedure, as permitted under Section 20 of the Procurement Act 2023. the Council may hereon refer to this planned Competitive Flexible Procedure as a 'Traditional Negotiated' Procedure. The process will consist of multiple stages as follow: 1. Conditions of Participation Stage 2. Invitation to Tender (ITT) - Tender Questionnaire 3. Site Visits 4. Optional Negotiation Stage 5. Contract Award (including verification of Self-Certifications) Please see the Invitation to Conditions of Participation Stage document for further details.
CPV: Primary education services · Secondary education services
How this framework works
From the published notice- Type
- Closed framework · open framework scheme (admission reopens)
- Call-offs
- call-offs may be awarded directly or by further competition
- Bids received
- 32 bids on the busiest of 2 lots · 33 suppliers appointed
- Framework period
- 4 yrs · up to 8 yrs from 1 Sept 2026
- Scheme runs until
- 31 Aug 2034
Published description of the framework
Please see Pricing Guidance in the Invitation to Tender (ITT) pack and the Call-Off Process as described in the Open Framework Agreement Pack.
Lots and requirements (2)Procurement structure
2 lots · all with a published value · win at most 1 of themEvery one of these 2 lots carries the same published figure, £876,000,000: it is the framework's maximum for the whole notice, not each lot's own budget, and no share per lot is published. The cards below say ceiling above rather than repeat it.
Lot #1Strategic PartnersAwardedRenewalceiling above
The source published no individual description for this lot.
Lot #2Approved ProvidersAwardedRenewalceiling above
The source published no individual description for this lot.
What it takes to wini
How this buyer will score bids.
The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).
Evaluation split and conditions of participation as published; the tender pack may add morei
How this buyer will score bids.
The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).
- “Independent and Non-Maintained Special Schools (INMSS) Open Framework…” is a framework: the contest is a place on its panel, not a single contract: call-offs may be direct or by further competition.
Procedure terms & legal framework
From the official record- Procedure method
- Competitive flexible procedure
- Legal basis
- UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023
- Procurement category
- Services
- Notice status
- Awarded
- Procurement threshold
- Above threshold (FTS publication)
- Regulatory regime
- Light touch regime
- Commercial structure
- Open framework scheme
- Who may use this agreement
- Not stated in the notice; call-off rights may be limited to the establishing authority
- Competition type
- Competitive procedure
- GPA / WTO covered
- Yes (GPA)
- Recurring procurement
- Unspecified in notice
- First published
- 13 May 2025, 16:18 BST
- Last source update
- 11 Jun 2026, 14:26 BST
- Award evaluation window
- Submission end – 23 Jun 2026
- Authority reference
CN260427- FTS notice number
2026/S 000-008594- Latest notice
- Contract award notice (UK6)
- Classification (CPV)
- Delivery area
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-051257Find a Tender
- How it runs
The procurement process the Council is undertaking to procure the required services is a Competitive Flexible Procedure, as permitted under Section 20 of the Procurement Act 2023. the Council may hereon refer to this planned Competitive Flexible Procedure as a 'Traditional Negotiated' Procedure.
The process will consist of multiple stages as follow:
- Conditions of Participation Stage
- Invitation to Tender (ITT) - Tender Questionnaire
- Site Visits
- Optional Negotiation Stage
- Contract Award (including verification of Self-Certifications)
Please see the Invitation to Conditions of Participation Stage document for further details.
How it was run
Official notice- Requests to participate (first stage)
- 20 Feb 2026, 12:00 GMT
- Appointment period ends
- 20 Feb 2026, 12:00 GMT
- Clarification deadline
- 13 Feb 2026, 23:59 GMT
- Submission channel
- Official e-sourcing portal
- Electronic submission
- Allowed
- Accepted languages
- en
www.kentbusinessportal.org.uk ↗
To respond to this opportunity, please use the access code: D2SK4KN582 or use the following link: www.kentbusinessportal.org.uk/respond/D2SK4KN582 ↗
Timeline
13 May 2025 → 1 Sept 2026 · 11 dates- Planning notice published13 May 2025, 16:18 BST
- Market engagement327 days ago4 Dec 2025, 23:59 GMT
Invitation to Providers
We invite all interested suppliers to register on the Kent Business Portal (www.kentbusinessportal.org.uk ↗)
Once registered, providers can express their interest by emailing inclusion@kent.gov.uk and the invitation will be shared.
- Tender notice published270 days ago30 Jan 2026, 15:39 GMT
- Next notice expected269 days ago31 Jan 2026, 23:59 GMT
- Clarification questions by256 days ago13 Feb 2026, 23:59 GMT
- Admission / appointment period ends250 days ago · period end, not a bid countdown20 Feb 2026, 12:00 GMT
- Assessment summaries sent139 days ago11 Jun 2026, 00:00 BST
- Latest notice published139 days ago11 Jun 2026, 14:26 BST
- Award decision expected by126 days ago23 Jun 2026, 23:59 BST
- Standstill ends126 days ago23 Jun 2026, 23:59 BST
- Contract starts57 days ago1 Sept 2026, 00:00 BST
Notice history
9 events · 4 releases on Find a Tender · since 13 May 2025- Preliminary market engagement notice published13 May 2025, 16:18 BSTUK2
- Preliminary market engagement notice published6 Nov 2025, 13:24 GMTUK2
- Tender notice published30 Jan 2026, 15:39 GMTUK4
- Published value updated to £876,000,00030 Jan 2026, 15:39 GMTwas £70,000,000
- Status changed to active30 Jan 2026, 15:39 GMT
- Procurement method changed30 Jan 2026, 15:39 GMT
- Contract award notice published11 Jun 2026, 14:26 BSTUK6
- Status changed to complete11 Jun 2026, 14:26 BST
- Contract signature expected17 Jul 2026, 23:59 BSTscheduled
Published amendments (1)
Amendments have been made to the Scope section to include additional dates for market engagement activities. Additionally, the instructions for requesting an invitation have been updated in the Scope and Engagement sections. Kent County Council has transitioned to a new eTendering portal, rendering previous instructions inaccurate. Interested providers should now email Inclusion@kent.gov.uk to req…
Routine re-releases (4)
- 2025-05: 1 release · 13 May 2025
Commercial outcome & contract awards
Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast£876,000,000 is the framework's published maximum, restated by the publisher on 2 award rows. It is one ceiling, not 2 separate sums, and no share per lot is published; those rows read “ceiling above”.
| Awarded to | Value | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lot 1 · Strategic Partners1 award | |||
| Barnardo Services LimitedVCSE, Blue Skies School LtdLot A. Strategic Partners1 Sept 2026 – 31 Aug 2030 · up to 31 Aug 2034Extensions: A possibility for four (4) extensions of up to 12 month each. Total extension period available is therefore four (4) years (48 months). | ceiling above | 11 Jun 2026standstill to 23 Jun 2026 | Standstill |
| Lot 2 · Approved Providers1 award | |||
| Acorn Norfolk Ltd, CHALKHILL FARM YOUTH ACTIVITIES LIMITED, CURLY'S LEGACY, GREAT OAKS SMALL SCHOOL, Horizon Care and Education, OPTIONS AUTISM (7) LIMITED +25 moreLot B. Approved Providers1 Sept 2026 – 31 Aug 2030 · up to 31 Aug 2034Extensions: A possibility for four (4) extensions of up to 12 month each. Total extension period available is therefore four (4) years (48 months). | ceiling above | 11 Jun 2026standstill to 23 Jun 2026 | Standstill |
Bid statistics published by the authority
| Lot | Bids | SME | VCSE | Valid bid range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 · Strategic Partners | 2final-stage tenders | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2 · Approved Providers | 32final-stage tenders | 16 | 0 | — |
Who bid
- wonBarnardo Services Limited · Greater London · 1
- wonBlue Skies School Ltd · South East England · 1
- wonAcorn Norfolk Ltd · North West England · 2
- did not winALP Schools Limited · South East England · 2
- did not winASD LEARNING LIMITED · South East England · 2
- did not winASPRIS CHILDREN'S SERVICES LIMITED · East Midlands · 2
- did not winATRIUM EDUCATION LTDSME · South East England · 2
- did not winCARMICHAEL EDUCATION LIMITEDSME · South East England · 2
- wonCHALKHILL FARM YOUTH ACTIVITIES LIMITED · South East England · 2
- did not winThe Sallygate School Limited · South East England · 2
- did not winMAGIC (UK) LIMITED · South East England · 2
- did not winCompass Community Schools Limited · East Midlands · 2
- did not winCross Keys Learning LimitedSME · South East England · 2
- wonCURLY'S LEGACY · South East England · 2
- did not winEarley Springs School · South East England · 2
- did not winELMLEY DRAY CIC · South East England · 2
- wonGREAT OAKS SMALL SCHOOL · South East England · 2
- wonHORIZON CARE AND EDUCATION GROUP LIMITED · North West England · 2
- did not winINTEGRATED SERVICES PROGRAMMESME · West Midlands · 2
- did not winKINGS PARK SCHOOL LIMITED · South East England · 2
- did not winL&P EDUCATIONAL SERVICES LTD · South East England · 2
- did not winLIFE SKILLS ENTERPRISES LIMITED · Greater London · 2
- did not winLIFE SKILLS MANOR LTD · Greater London · 2
- did not winN R EDUCATION LTDSME · South East England · 2
- did not winOMG EIS LTD · Greater London · 2
- wonOPTIONS AUTISM (7) LIMITED · North West England · 2
- did not winOUTCOMES FIRST GROUP (OPERATIONS) 1 LIMITED · North West England · 2
- wonRIPPLEVALE SCHOOL ROCHESTER LTD · Greater London · 2
- did not winRIPPLEVALE SCHOOL LIMITEDSME · Greater London · 2
- wonTHE QUEST SCHOOL · South East England · 2
- did not winTHE VIEW SCHOOL LIMITED · South East England · 2
- did not winWITHERSLACK GROUP LIMITED · North West England · 2
- did not winYEW TREE FARM SCHOOL C.I.C. · South East England · 2
- did not winVOCATIONAL TRAINING CENTRE LIMITEDSME · South East England · 2
Bidders as named on the Procurement Act 2023 award notice. “Won” means the bidder holds an award on this notice.
Contracting authority & participating public bodies
Framework contractors & participating bidders
34 commercial parties on the notice · 33 awarded- ALP Schools LimitedFramework contractor
- ASD LEARNING LIMITEDFramework contractor
- ASPRIS CHILDREN'S SERVICES LIMITEDFramework contractor
- ATRIUM EDUCATION LTDFramework contractor
- Acorn Norfolk LtdFramework contractor
- Barnardo Services LimitedFramework contractor
- Blue Skies School LtdFramework contractor
- CARMICHAEL EDUCATION LIMITEDFramework contractor
- CHALKHILL FARM YOUTH ACTIVITIES LIMITEDFramework contractor
- CURLY'S LEGACYFramework contractor
Show 24 more suppliers
- Compass Community Schools LimitedFramework contractor
- Cross Keys Learning LimitedFramework contractor
- ELMLEY DRAY CICFramework contractor
- Earley Springs SchoolFramework contractor
- GREAT OAKS SMALL SCHOOLFramework contractor
- HORIZON CARE AND EDUCATION GROUP LIMITEDFramework contractor
- INTEGRATED SERVICES PROGRAMMEFramework contractor
- KINGS PARK SCHOOL LIMITEDFramework contractor
- L&P EDUCATIONAL SERVICES LTDFramework contractor
- LIFE SKILLS ENTERPRISES LIMITEDFramework contractor
- LIFE SKILLS MANOR LTDFramework contractor
- MAGIC (UK) LIMITEDFramework contractor
- N R EDUCATION LTDFramework contractor
- OMG EIS LTDFramework contractor
- OPTIONS AUTISM (7) LIMITEDFramework contractor
- OUTCOMES FIRST GROUP (OPERATIONS) 1 LIMITEDFramework contractor
- RIPPLEVALE SCHOOL LIMITEDFramework contractor
- RIPPLEVALE SCHOOL ROCHESTER LTDFramework contractor
- THE QUEST SCHOOLFramework contractor
- THE VIEW SCHOOL LIMITEDFramework contractor
- The Sallygate School LimitedFramework contractor
- VOCATIONAL TRAINING CENTRE LIMITEDBidder / tenderer
- WITHERSLACK GROUP LIMITEDFramework contractor
- YEW TREE FARM SCHOOL C.I.C.Framework contractor
Official documents & specifications (7)
Official links; attachments are not copiedTender pack and attachments
Notices published for this procedure
- Contract award notice Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- Contract award notice Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- Tender notice Tender notice on Find a Tender
- Preliminary market engagement notice Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
- Preliminary market engagement notice Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender