Official UK procurement notice
Open Framework for Alternative Provision
Authority: Westmorland and Furness Council (Local council)·Consortium: 2 public authorities
What is being bought3 lots · detail below
Published requirement descriptionService Description
The vision for the service is to ensure that all children, regardless of circumstance or setting, receive a good education. The service therefore is committed to ensuring all alternative provision commissioned for a child or young person in Westmorland and Furness is of good quality, registered where appropriate, and delivered by high quality staff with suitable training, experience and safeguarding checks.
All alternative provision that is commissioned must be suitable to a child or young person's age, ability and aptitude and any special educational needs (SEN) they may have.
All children and young people will make good progress against outcomes, identified prior to the start of a placement with a Provider and will have access to meaningful qualifications. This will mean they are equipped to progress onto the next stage in their educational career and are enabled to participate and contribute positively to society in the future.
Placements into alternative provision will always be made with the child or young person's reintegration back into mainstream education or move onto a sustained post-16 destination in mind.
The placement of a child or young person with a Provider is consistent with the efficient use of resources.
The following Services are in scope of this specification:
Lot 1: Alternative Provision where the provider is registered with Ofsted (or an equivalent body). This may include providers who are registered with Ofsted, but the category of their registration does not include learners to whom they are offering alternative provision.
Lot 2: Alternative Provision where the provider is not registered with Ofsted (or an equivalent body)
Lot 3: Alternative Provision for pupils with medical conditions that prevent their attendance at school.
The Framework will be managed with providers being placed on either Provider List A or B. The criteria for being on each list is as follows:
List A is for Registered Providers and therefore those applying to Lot 1 would be placed on this list. It is also possible those applying for Lot 3 could also be a registered provider and be placed on List A.
List B is for Providers who are unregistered whether applying for Lot 2 and or Lot 3.
- The authority expects to re-tender this requirement around 31 Jan 2028, 23:59 GMT.
CPV: Education and training services · Health and social work 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 3 lots · 16 suppliers appointed
- Framework period
- 2 yrs 8 mo · up to 4 yrs 8 mo from 1 Jun 2026
- Scheme runs until
- 31 Jan 2031
Published description of the framework
Tenderers are required to complete and submit their tenders in line with the instructions to tender (ITT) document provided in the tender pack. This is available to register interest for and download from the council's tender portal The Chest (www.the-chest.org.uk ↗).
All completed tenders must be submitted electronically via the The Chest portal, a timetable is included in the ITT.
The ITT details all requirements for the selection process for the framework including quality submission requirements, pricing and commercial information requirements, the Procurement Specific Questionnaire and any other relevant schedules required.
Following the deadline for the submission of tenders the Authority will undertake assessment using the scoring and assessment methodology outlined with the tender documentation.
Lots and requirements (3)Procurement structure
3 lots · all with a published value · same conditions of participation on every lot · same evaluation weights on every lotEvery one of these 3 lots carries the same published figure, £11,500,000: 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 #1Alternative Provision where the provider is registered with Ofsted (or an equivalent body).AwardedRenewal UK, North Westceiling above
The source published no individual description for this lot.
- Technical & professional ability
Details of conditions of participation are clearly detailed in the tender documentation.
Ofsted registration is required for some framework lots.
Lot #2Alternative Provision where the provider is not registered with Ofsted (or an equivalent body)AwardedRenewal North Westceiling above
The source published no individual description for this lot.
- Technical & professional ability
Details of conditions of participation are clearly detailed in the tender documentation.
Ofsted registration is required for some framework lots.
Lot #3Alternative Provision for pupils with medical conditions that prevent their attendance at school.AwardedRenewal North Westceiling above
The source published no individual description for this lot.
- Technical & professional ability
Details of conditions of participation are clearly detailed in the tender documentation.
Ofsted registration is required for some framework lots.
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).
Published award criteria (2)
- Price
- Quality
- Technical & professional ability
Details of conditions of participation are clearly detailed in the tender documentation.
Ofsted registration is required for some framework lots.
- Price carries 40 of 100 points: a 10% discount moves about 4 points. The method statement decides this lot, not the discount.
- “Open Framework for Alternative Provision” is a framework: the contest is a place on its panel, not a single contract: call-offs may be direct or by further competition.
Price arithmetic assumes straight proportional scoring; the tender pack may use another formula.
Procedure terms & legal framework
From the official record- Procedure method
- Open 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
- Yes · next expected 31 Jan 2028
- First published
- 1 Jul 2025, 14:14 BST
- Last source update
- 3 Jun 2026, 10:17 BST
- Award evaluation window
- 10 Sept 2025 – 5 May 2026
- Authority reference
DN783408- FTS notice number
2026/S 000-021461- Latest notice
- Contract award notice (UK6)
- Classification (CPV)
- Delivery area
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-0556cdFind a Tender
How it was run
Official notice- Appointment period ends
- 10 Apr 2026, 10:00 BST
- Clarification deadline
- 26 Mar 2026, 10:00 GMT
- Submission channel
- {"electronicSubmission"}
- Electronic submission
- Allowed
- Accepted languages
- en
- Bids opened
- 10 Sept 2025, 11:00 BST
The first initial framework tender closed on 26/09/2025
The second framework of the open framework closes on the 10/04/2026
Timeline
1 Jul 2025 → 12 Jun 2026 · 11 dates- Planning notice published1 Jul 2025, 14:14 BST
- Next notice expected22 Jul 2025, 23:59 BST
- Bids opened10 Sept 2025, 11:00 BST
- Tender notice published230 days ago10 Mar 2026, 15:55 GMT
- Clarification questions by215 days ago26 Mar 2026, 10:00 GMT
- Admission / appointment period ends200 days ago · period end, not a bid countdown10 Apr 2026, 10:00 BST
- Award decision expected by174 days ago · award period from 10 Sept 20255 May 2026, 23:59 BST
- Contract starts148 days ago1 Jun 2026, 00:00 BST
- Assessment summaries sent147 days ago2 Jun 2026, 00:00 BST
- Latest notice published146 days ago3 Jun 2026, 10:17 BST
- Standstill ends136 days ago12 Jun 2026, 23:59 BST
Notice history
15 events · 8 releases on Find a Tender · since 1 Jul 2025- Pipeline notice published1 Jul 2025, 14:14 BSTUK1
- Preliminary market engagement notice published29 Jul 2025, 14:05 BSTUK2
- Published value updated29 Jul 2025, 14:05 BST
- Status changed to active29 Jul 2025, 14:56 BST
- Deadline published: 10 Sept 2025, 10:00 BST29 Jul 2025, 14:56 BST
- Buyer details updated29 Jul 2025, 14:56 BST
- Tender notice published10 Mar 2026, 15:55 GMTUK4
- Published value updated10 Mar 2026, 15:55 GMT
- Deadline moved to 4 Apr 2026, 10:00 BST10 Mar 2026, 15:55 GMT+206 days · was 10 Sept 2025, 10:00 BST
- Buyer details updated10 Mar 2026, 15:55 GMT
- Tender notice published13 Mar 2026, 09:49 GMTUK4
- Deadline moved to 10 Apr 2026, 10:00 BST13 Mar 2026, 09:49 GMT+6 days · was 4 Apr 2026, 10:00 BST
- Contract award notice published3 Jun 2026, 10:17 BSTUK6
- Status changed to complete3 Jun 2026, 10:17 BST
- Contract signature expected13 Jun 2026, 23:59 BSTscheduled
Published amendments (3 · 0 deadline changes)
| When | What | Before | After | Shift |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | Textdescription · 11.1.4 | In compliance with Section 9 (5) and 49 (1) of the PA 23, the Council intends to reopen the Framework for competition at least once during the first 3 years and before the end of the initial framework’s Term. The Council reserves the right and may reopen the framework for competition within the first 9 months of the Term. (The Council is not obligated to re-open the framework unless it requires to… | In compliance with Section 9 (5) and 49 (1) of the PA 23, the Council intends to reopen the Framework for competition at least once during the first 3 years and before the end of the initial framework’s Term. The Council reserves the right and may reopen the framework for competition within the first 9 months of the Term. (The Council is not obligated to re-open the framework unless it requires to… | |
| — | Textdescription · 11.1.4 | In compliance with Section 9 (5) and 49 (1) of the PA 23, the Council intends to reopen the Framework for competition at least once during the first 3 years and before the end of the initial framework’s Term. The Council reserves the right and may reopen the framework for competition within the first 9 months of the Term. (The Council is not obligated to re-open the framework unless it requires to… | Westmorland and Furness Council are undertaking a procurement exercise to establish a Light Touch - Open Framework of suppliers for Alternative Provision. The Services will support the delivery of Alternative Education Provision requirements for children in the Westmorland and Furness area. The framework will align with sections 9 (5) and 49 (1) of the Procurement Act 23 and support the priorities… |
Procurement timeline has been updated
2 amendments published without a description.
Routine re-releases (8)
- 2025-08: 2 releases · 11 Aug 2025, 11 Aug 2025
- 2025-07: 3 releases · 1 Jul 2025, 29 Jul 2025
Commercial outcome & contract awards
Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast£2,300,000 inc. VAT 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 · Alternative Provision where the provider is registered with Ofsted (or an equivalent body).1 award | |||
| EDClassSME, Progress SchoolsOpen Framework for Alternative Provision - Lot 115 Jun 2026 – 31 Dec 2028 · up to 31 Dec 2030Extensions: 2 x 12 month extensions available | £2,300,000 | 20 Apr 2026standstill to 12 Jun 2026 | Standstill |
| Lot 2 · Alternative Provision where the provider is not registered with Ofsted (or an equivalent body)1 award | |||
| 33 Recruitment Ltd trading as Educ8SEN, CATCH-UP ACADEMY LTDSME, Dragon Football AcademySME, HOME TUTORING LIMITED, MIGHTY OAK INITIATIVE LTD, Nudge Education LtdSME +8 moreOpen Framework for Alternative Provision - Lot 215 Oct 2026 – 31 Dec 2028 · up to 31 Dec 2030Extensions: 2 x 12 month extension | ceiling above | 20 Apr 2026standstill to 12 Jun 2026 | Standstill |
| Lot 3 · Alternative Provision for pupils with medical conditions that prevent their attendance at school.1 award | |||
| 33 Recruitment Ltd trading as Educ8SEN, CATCH-UP ACADEMY LTDSME, Dragon Football AcademySME, HOME TUTORING LIMITED, MIGHTY OAK INITIATIVE LTD, Nudge Education LtdSME +9 moreOpen Framework for Alternative Provision - Lot 315 Jun 2026 – 31 Dec 2028 · up to 31 Dec 2030Extensions: 2 x 12 month | ceiling above | 20 Apr 2026standstill to 12 Jun 2026 | Standstill |
Bid statistics published by the authority
| Lot | Bids | SME | VCSE | Valid bid range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 · Alternative Provision where the provider is registered with Ofsted (or an equivalent body). | 3final-stage tenders | 3 | 0 | — |
| 2 · Alternative Provision where the provider is not registered with Ofsted (or an equivalent body) | 32final-stage tenders · 33 at stage one | 29 | 0 | — |
| 3 · Alternative Provision for pupils with medical conditions that prevent their attendance at school. | 31final-stage tenders | 28 | 0 | — |
Contracting authority & participating public bodies
2 public bodies on the noticeDispute resolution & review bodies
- Her Majesty's CourtReview body
Framework contractors & participating bidders
16 commercial parties on the notice- 33 RECRUITMENT LTDFramework contractor
- CATCH-UP ACADEMY LTDFramework contractor
- DRAGON FOOTBALL ACADEMY LTDFramework contractor
- EDCLASS LTDFramework contractor
- HOME TUTORING LIMITEDFramework contractor
- MENTIS D LTDFramework contractor
- MIGHTY OAK INITIATIVE LTDFramework contractor
- NUDGE EDUCATION LIMITEDFramework contractor
- PROGRESS SCHOOLS LIMITEDFramework contractor
- STUDY MIND LTDFramework contractor
Show 6 more suppliers
- Study Mind LimitedFramework contractor
- TARGETED PROVISION LTDFramework contractor
- THE NATIONAL TEACHING & ADVISORY SERVICE LIMITEDFramework contractor
- THE OAKLEA TRUSTFramework contractor
- Totally RAD Schools Limited Trading as My Music LessonsFramework contractor
- Tute EducationFramework contractor
Official documents & specifications (8)
Official links; attachments are not copiedTender pack and attachments
- Bidding documents and specifications
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
- Contract award notice Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- Tender notice Tender 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
- Pipeline notice Pipeline notice on Find a Tender