Published date: 2 November 2022

This notice was replaced on 7 March 2023

This notice does not contain the most up-to-date information about this procurement. The most recent notice is:

Awarded contract (published 7 March 2023)

Closed opportunity - This means that the contract is currently closed. The buying department may be considering suppliers that have already applied, or no suitable offers were made.


Contract summary

Industry

  • Pre-school education services - 80110000

Location of contract

SW1P 3BT

Value of contract

£825,000

Procurement reference

tender_308888/1132876

Published date

2 November 2022

Closing date

2 December 2022

Closing time

12pm

Contract start date

25 January 2023

Contract end date

31 March 2025

Contract type

Service contract

Procedure type

Open procedure (above threshold)

Any interested supplier may submit a tender in response to an opportunity notice.

This procedure can be used for procurements above the relevant contract value threshold.

Contract is suitable for SMEs?

Yes

Contract is suitable for VCSEs?

Yes


Description

The DfE is seeking to procure expert professional services support (including peer support) for local authorities (LAs) to fulfil their statutory sufficiency duties. The proposed support will be delivered in the Financial Years 2022-25 and will relate to delivery of sufficient childcare and early education places for children aged 0-14, or up to 18, where applicable.

We require a supplier who can offer support to LAs in restoring or improving childcare sufficiency in their local areas through a mixed package of tailored support to diagnose sufficiency issues and assist LAs in implementing and embedding sustainable improvements. We envisage this would be delivered by:
1. Providing reactive support and challenge to LAs identified as failing (or at imminent risk of failing) in their duty to secure sufficient childcare for parents to work or participate in education or training, and for children eligible for the early education entitlements.
2. Providing proactive preventative and improvement support and challenge to LAs to facilitate the maintenance or improvement of local childcare sufficiency.
3. Where appropriate, administering discrete projeejct funding to support LAs to implement recommendations made during the reactive or proactive support activity at 1 and 2 above where available finances are evidencable as a barrier to achieving the desired outcome.
4. Providing an overarching project management function to enable 1, 2 and 3 above. This will include organisation of contract management activity including reporting and engaging with DfE, and evaluating support activity and funding outcomes.


More information

Previous notice about this procurement

Local Authority Childcare Sufficiency Support

  • Future opportunity
  • Published 30 September 2022

Links

Additional text

This Open procurement in accordance with Regulation 27 of PCR 2015 is being conducted electronically via Jaggaer e-tendering portal. No hard copy documents will be issued; all communications with DfE are to be raised via the portal.


About the buyer

Address

Sanctuary Buildings, Great Smith Street
London
SW1P 3BT
England

Email

craig.heatley@education.gov.uk