Mandarin Programme (2027 onwards)

{
  "id": "050531-2026",
  "tag": [
    "planning"
  ],
  "date": "2026-05-28T17:12:11+01:00",
  "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-06a82e",
  "buyer": {
    "id": "GB-PPON-PDZG-3487-DPVD",
    "name": "Department for Education"
  },
  "tender": {
    "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-06a82e",
    "lots": [
      {
        "id": "1",
        "status": "planning",
        "description": null,
        "suitability": {
          "sme": true,
          "vcse": true
        },
        "contractPeriod": {
          "endDate": "2030-08-31T23:59:59+01:00",
          "startDate": "2027-09-01T00:00:00+01:00"
        }
      }
    ],
    "items": [
      {
        "id": "1",
        "relatedLot": "1",
        "additionalClassifications": [
          {
            "id": "80000000",
            "scheme": "CPV",
            "description": "Education and training services"
          }
        ]
      }
    ],
    "title": "Mandarin Programme (2027 onwards)",
    "status": "planning",
    "legalBasis": {
      "id": "2023/54",
      "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents",
      "scheme": "UKPGA"
    },
    "description": "The Mandarin Excellence Programme runs until 31 August 2027, and the Department will be seeking to award a contract from 1 September 2027 for delivery of a programme to support the teaching of Mandarin in state-funded schools in England.  \nPreliminary Market Engagement is being undertaken to inform and refine the Department's requirements as it considers options for a programme to support the teaching of Mandarin in state-funded schools in England.  \nThis engagement is intended to support the development of a programme that is deliverable, value for money, and responsive to the needs of the education sector, while encouraging innovation and effective competition within the supplier market. \nThis is a zero-value notice for early market engagement and is not a call for competition. The Department for Education reserves the right not to enter a formal procurement process and not proceed with contract award.",
    "aboveThreshold": true,
    "mainProcurementCategory": "services"
  },
  "buyerID": [],
  "parties": [
    {
      "id": "GB-PPON-PDZG-3487-DPVD",
      "name": "Department for Education",
      "roles": [
        "buyer"
      ],
      "address": {
        "region": "UKI32",
        "country": "GB",
        "locality": "London",
        "postalCode": "SW1P3BT",
        "countryName": "United Kingdom",
        "streetAddress": "Sanctuary Buildings, 20 Great Smith Street"
      },
      "details": {
        "classifications": [
          {
            "id": "publicAuthorityCentralGovernment",
            "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE",
            "description": "Public authority - central government"
          }
        ]
      },
      "identifier": {
        "id": "PDZG-3487-DPVD",
        "scheme": "GB-PPON"
      },
      "contactPoint": {
        "email": "Contact.SCHOOLSCOMMERCIAL@education.gov.uk"
      }
    }
  ],
  "language": "en",
  "planning": {
    "documents": [
      {
        "id": "050531-2026",
        "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/050531-2026",
        "format": "text/html",
        "noticeType": "UK2",
        "description": "Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender",
        "documentType": "marketEngagementNotice",
        "datePublished": "2026-05-28T17:12:11+01:00"
      }
    ],
    "milestones": [
      {
        "id": "engagement",
        "type": "engagement",
        "status": "scheduled",
        "dueDate": "2026-08-31T23:59:59+01:00",
        "description": "The purpose of this engagement notice is to notify organisations of the Department's intention to enable interested parties, including prospective bidders, to sign up for an online information session on:\nWednesday 17 June 2026, 14:00 – 15:00.\nInformation regarding this session will be available to those who register their interest on our e-tendering portal Jaggaer, https://education.app.jaggaer.com"
      }
    ]
  },
  "initiationType": "tender"
}