Official UK procurement notice
Pseudo-DPS for Alternative Education Provision (AP) 2024 - 2027
Authority: Bedford Borough Council (Local council)
What is being bought3 lots · detail below
Published requirement descriptionAn Approved Provider List (APL) on a Pseudo-DPS of suitably-qualified suppliers to deliver Alternative Education Provision to children and young people who are unable to access mainstream education provision due to their social, emotional and mental health needs and/or behaviours that challenge. These services are intended to be short-term interventions aimed at enabling a child or young person to achieve good educational outcomes and reintegrate back into mainstream school in a supported way.The services to be provided comprise a mixture of education, tuition, individual support, coaching, mentoring and therapeutic services dependent on the needs of the children/young people being worked with. The local authority will determine the level of service to be provided to individual children/young people.Services will be in 3 Lots.
CPV: Guidance and counselling services · Youth education services
How this dynamic market works
From the published notice- Type
- Dynamic market
- Places
- up to 1 suppliers
- Market period
- 3 yrs from 29 Apr 2024, Framework is let under the provisions of the light touch regime
Lots and requirements (3)Procurement structure
3 lots · all with a published valueEvery one of these 3 lots carries the same published figure, £716,000: it is the dynamic market'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 #1UnregisteredRenewalceiling above
This Lot is reserved for 'unregulated' alternative provision [AP]. 'Unregulated' or 'unregistered' AP refers to settings not registered as schools or colleges (pre-16), though some may be registered for post-16 and offer education/training to school-age pupils.
Lot #2Registered SchoolsRenewalceiling above
This Lot is reserved for education providers offering a full time alternative to mainstream education, delivered in settings registered with either the Department for Education or regulated by Ofsted.
Lot #3Virtual Online ProvidersRenewalceiling above
This Lot is reserved for providers who will deliver a wholly or mainly virtual learning offer to Bedford Borough children and young people.
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).
- Suitability
Criteria are Lot specific and are published in the Tender Documents.
- “Pseudo-DPS for Alternative Education Provision (AP) 2024 - 2027” is a dynamic market: the contest is a place on its panel, up to 1 suppliers, not a single contract.
Competition analysis · published record, not a forecast of who will bid
How Bedford Borough Council buys Social work services (CPV 8531), and who usually turns up
Bedford Borough Council’s own published record, next to the published market for the same work. This notice is a framework or DPS, so only frameworks and DPS are compared. Whole-market view: Social work services (CPV 8531) →
How the contest usually goes
Winner shares use published awards; bid and price charts use contested lots.
i
How often small and medium firms win.
Share of awards where the winner’s size is known.
The counts under this question show how many awards have a known supplier size.
Small firms have won here. Neither number says whether you qualify; it describes who has been winning.
i
How often local firms win similar work.
Winners with a registered address in the delivery region, out of awards with a known address.
Here, local means registered in East of England.
A local branch does not count if the registered address is elsewhere.
Most of this buyer’s recorded winners are registered in East of England.
i
How long buyers here take to decide after bids close.
Middle value in days from the deadline to the first award notice, on competitions that published both dates.
Only decided tenders count, so slow ones still waiting are not in.
Half of these awards were announced within 40 days of the bid deadline.
i
How often work is awarded with no recorded rival.
Direct awards and tenders where every published lot count shows one bid.
Both shares are minimums: some awards have no bid count.
Thin markets produce this too; it is not proof of a tailored specification.
Direct awards or one recorded bid are common here. Check the route before spending time on a bid.
How many bids did past lots attract?
i
How many bids past lots received.
Each colour is a bid-count range. Only competed lots with a published count are included.
Past bids do not predict this tender.
1 bid18% / 0%
2–318% / 0%
4–627% / 0%
7+36% / 100%
How did awards compare with estimates?
i
Where winning prices landed against estimates.
Each colour shows awards below, close to or above the published estimate, one lot at a time.
On a framework or DPS, prices are agreed when work is called off.
Past prices are a guide, not a bid price.
Not comparable on a framework or DPS. The notice sets up a supplier panel and a ceiling value; what the work actually costs is agreed later, on each call-off or mini-competition, and those publish as contract notices of their own. The award-vs-estimate record of this market therefore sits on the call-offs; this page shows it on the contracts, not on the panel that frames them.
Assess each lot i
What past awards tell you about each lot.
See the forecast, this buyer’s earlier suppliers and firms with relevant wins.
No supplier is confirmed as a bidder.
i
What past awards tell you about each lot.
See the forecast, this buyer’s earlier suppliers and firms with relevant wins.
No supplier is confirmed as a bidder.
Open a lot for its forecast, this buyer’s previous supplier and possible competitors, from published award history, not a bid list
Lot #1UnregisteredCPV 85312300Published estimate£716k
i
How many bids this lot may attract.
The forecast uses similar past competitions. The bar shows either that forecast or past bid counts; the line below says which.
Each lot shows its own forecast based on its own category; forecasts for different lots of the same notice are not comparative.
A forecast, not a list of bidders.
1 bid1%
2–314%
4–64%
7+82%
i
Where the award price may land.
The forecast uses similar awards and the buyer’s estimate. The band covers the middle half of likely prices.
No comparable awards for this lot yet.
A statistical guide from past awards, not a price to bid.
Who has supplied this buyer on similar work? i
Who has done similar work for this buyer.
Past contracts are matched by buyer, title and type of work.
A past supplier may not bid again.
i
Who has done similar work for this buyer.
Past contracts are matched by buyer, title and type of work.
A past supplier may not bid again.
No earlier contract of this buyer matches this lot on the published record.
Who could compete for this lot? i
Who could compete for this lot?
Firms with relevant past wins. On a framework, we show firms on that agreement.
None is confirmed as a bidder.
i
Who could compete for this lot?
Firms with relevant past wins. On a framework, we show firms on that agreement.
None is confirmed as a bidder.
| Supplier | Won in this category | Live contracts | Award vs estimate |
|---|---|---|---|
| £48m27 awards in 36m · last 4 months ago | 5 live · £2.2m iPublic contracts this supplier still holds. Its awards whose published end date is still in the future, with their values. Many contracts publish no end date, so this is a floor, not the whole book. Unexpired says nothing about spare capacity. | at estimate n=17 | |
Creative Support LtdLarge | £89m35 awards in 36m · last 1 months ago | 11 live · £510m iPublic contracts this supplier still holds. Its awards whose published end date is still in the future, with their values. Many contracts publish no end date, so this is a floor, not the whole book. Unexpired says nothing about spare capacity. | at estimate n=16 |
POhWERLarge | £14m10 awards in 36m · last 4 months ago | 5 live · £6.3m iPublic contracts this supplier still holds. Its awards whose published end date is still in the future, with their values. Many contracts publish no end date, so this is a floor, not the whole book. Unexpired says nothing about spare capacity. | at estimate n=10 |
| £6.6m13 awards in 36m · last 3 months ago | 5 live · £307m iPublic contracts this supplier still holds. Its awards whose published end date is still in the future, with their values. Many contracts publish no end date, so this is a floor, not the whole book. Unexpired says nothing about spare capacity. | at estimate n=1 | |
| £2.3m4 awards in 36m · last 6 months ago | 3 live · £1.3m iPublic contracts this supplier still holds. Its awards whose published end date is still in the future, with their values. Many contracts publish no end date, so this is a floor, not the whole book. Unexpired says nothing about spare capacity. | 3% below n=3 |
Lot #2Registered SchoolsCPV 85312300Published estimate£716k
i
How many bids this lot may attract.
The forecast uses similar past competitions. The bar shows either that forecast or past bid counts; the line below says which.
Each lot shows its own forecast based on its own category; forecasts for different lots of the same notice are not comparative.
A forecast, not a list of bidders.
1 bid1%
2–315%
4–63%
7+81%
i
Where the award price may land.
The forecast uses similar awards and the buyer’s estimate. The band covers the middle half of likely prices.
No comparable awards for this lot yet.
A statistical guide from past awards, not a price to bid.
Who has supplied this buyer on similar work? i
Who has done similar work for this buyer.
Past contracts are matched by buyer, title and type of work.
A past supplier may not bid again.
i
Who has done similar work for this buyer.
Past contracts are matched by buyer, title and type of work.
A past supplier may not bid again.
No earlier contract of this buyer matches this lot on the published record.
Who could compete for this lot? i
Who could compete for this lot?
Firms with relevant past wins. On a framework, we show firms on that agreement.
None is confirmed as a bidder.
i
Who could compete for this lot?
Firms with relevant past wins. On a framework, we show firms on that agreement.
None is confirmed as a bidder.
| Supplier | Won in this category | Live contracts | Award vs estimate |
|---|---|---|---|
| £48m27 awards in 36m · last 4 months ago | 5 live · £2.2m iPublic contracts this supplier still holds. Its awards whose published end date is still in the future, with their values. Many contracts publish no end date, so this is a floor, not the whole book. Unexpired says nothing about spare capacity. | at estimate n=17 | |
Barnardo'sLarge | £167m83 awards in 36m · last this month | 31 live · £87m iPublic contracts this supplier still holds. Its awards whose published end date is still in the future, with their values. Many contracts publish no end date, so this is a floor, not the whole book. Unexpired says nothing about spare capacity. | at estimate n=38 |
Creative Support LtdLarge | £89m35 awards in 36m · last 1 months ago | 11 live · £510m iPublic contracts this supplier still holds. Its awards whose published end date is still in the future, with their values. Many contracts publish no end date, so this is a floor, not the whole book. Unexpired says nothing about spare capacity. | at estimate n=16 |
| £17m10 awards in 36m · last 3 months ago | 4 live · £1.2m iPublic contracts this supplier still holds. Its awards whose published end date is still in the future, with their values. Many contracts publish no end date, so this is a floor, not the whole book. Unexpired says nothing about spare capacity. | at estimate n=3 | |
| £6.6m13 awards in 36m · last 3 months ago | 5 live · £307m iPublic contracts this supplier still holds. Its awards whose published end date is still in the future, with their values. Many contracts publish no end date, so this is a floor, not the whole book. Unexpired says nothing about spare capacity. | at estimate n=1 |
Lot #3Virtual Online ProvidersCPV 85312300Published estimate£716k
i
How many bids this lot may attract.
The forecast uses similar past competitions. The bar shows either that forecast or past bid counts; the line below says which.
Each lot shows its own forecast based on its own category; forecasts for different lots of the same notice are not comparative.
A forecast, not a list of bidders.
1 bid1%
2–312%
4–64%
7+83%
i
Where the award price may land.
The forecast uses similar awards and the buyer’s estimate. The band covers the middle half of likely prices.
No comparable awards for this lot yet.
A statistical guide from past awards, not a price to bid.
Who has supplied this buyer on similar work? i
Who has done similar work for this buyer.
Past contracts are matched by buyer, title and type of work.
A past supplier may not bid again.
i
Who has done similar work for this buyer.
Past contracts are matched by buyer, title and type of work.
A past supplier may not bid again.
| Supplier | This buyer’s earlier contract | Lot | Award value | Why listed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Better Healthcare Services PLCWorked for this buyer | Domiciliary Care for Children and YP in Bedford Boroughnotice published Mar 2021 | Lot 1: Community Enabling Support | — | Similar wording and category |
| Early Childhood PartnershipWorked for this buyer | Provision of Early Childhood Services through Children’s Centres in the Borough of Bedfordnotice published Jun 2021 | — | — | Similar wording and category |
Who could compete for this lot? i
Who could compete for this lot?
Firms with relevant past wins. On a framework, we show firms on that agreement.
None is confirmed as a bidder.
i
Who could compete for this lot?
Firms with relevant past wins. On a framework, we show firms on that agreement.
None is confirmed as a bidder.
| Supplier | Won in this category | Live contracts | Award vs estimate |
|---|---|---|---|
| £48m27 awards in 36m · last 4 months ago | 5 live · £2.2m iPublic contracts this supplier still holds. Its awards whose published end date is still in the future, with their values. Many contracts publish no end date, so this is a floor, not the whole book. Unexpired says nothing about spare capacity. | at estimate n=17 | |
Creative Support LtdLarge | £89m35 awards in 36m · last 1 months ago | 11 live · £510m iPublic contracts this supplier still holds. Its awards whose published end date is still in the future, with their values. Many contracts publish no end date, so this is a floor, not the whole book. Unexpired says nothing about spare capacity. | at estimate n=16 |
Home Group LtdLarge | £34m46 awards in 36m · last 1 months ago | 14 live · £9.9m iPublic contracts this supplier still holds. Its awards whose published end date is still in the future, with their values. Many contracts publish no end date, so this is a floor, not the whole book. Unexpired says nothing about spare capacity. | at estimate n=7 |
| £17m10 awards in 36m · last 3 months ago | 4 live · £1.2m iPublic contracts this supplier still holds. Its awards whose published end date is still in the future, with their values. Many contracts publish no end date, so this is a floor, not the whole book. Unexpired says nothing about spare capacity. | at estimate n=3 | |
| £6.6m13 awards in 36m · last 3 months ago | 5 live · £307m iPublic contracts this supplier still holds. Its awards whose published end date is still in the future, with their values. Many contracts publish no end date, so this is a floor, not the whole book. Unexpired says nothing about spare capacity. | at estimate n=1 |
About this data
- Source. Official UK public procurement notices (Find a Tender), reused under the Open Government Licence v3.0. New notices arrive through the day; the figures are rebuilt nightly.
- Two views, kept apart. The authority’s own track record and the wider market for the same kind of work sit side by side and are never mixed. Where the local picture is too thin, a figure widens to a broader market and says which one it used.
- Forecasts are labelled. The price forecast and its range, possible competitors and the earlier-work matches are our estimates from past awards: not published facts, not win chances and not price advice. Official notices do not say who is bidding.
- Every figure shows what it rests on. Not every notice publishes a bid count, a value or a delivery region, so each figure carries the number of records behind it, and one built on few records is marked as such. The on a figure explains it; the counting rules are in the methodology. Spotted something wrong? Tell us.
Procedure terms & legal framework
From the official record- Procedure method
- Open procedure
- Legal basis
- CELEX · 32014L0024 Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (Directive 2014/24/EU)
- Procurement category
- Services
- Notice status
- Open admission
- Procurement threshold
- Unspecified in notice
- Regulatory regime
- Standard
- Commercial structure
- Dynamic market
- Who may use this agreement
- Any qualifying supplier may apply while the market is open
- Competition type
- Competitive procedure
- GPA / WTO covered
- Yes (GPA)
- Recurring procurement
- No (one-off requirement)
- First published
- 9 Feb 2024, 13:46 GMT
- Last source update
- 9 Feb 2024, 13:46 GMT
- Award evaluation window
- 28 Apr 2027 – …
- Authority reference
BBC CH 03532- FTS notice number
2024/S 000-004440- Classification (CPV)
- Delivery area
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-0438daFind a Tender
- Review procedure
The standstill period terminates on 24/04/2024 at midnight.
How to participate & submission route
Official notice Apply via In-tend- Requests to participate (first stage)
- —
- Admission period ends
- 28 Apr 2027, 12:00 BST
- Clarification deadline
- —
- Submission channel
- {"electronicSubmission","written"}
- Accepted languages
- en
- Bids opened
- 28 Apr 2027, 12:00 BST
Timeline
9 Feb 2024 → 28 Apr 2029 · 5 dates- Notice published9 Feb 2024, 13:46 GMT
- Contract starts29 Apr 2024, 00:00 BST
- Today22 Oct 2026
- Admission / appointment period endsin 188 days · period end, not a bid countdown28 Apr 2027, 12:00 BST
- Bids openedin 188 days28 Apr 2027, 12:00 BST
- Bids must remain valid until28 Apr 2029, 23:59 BST
Commercial outcome & contract awards
Nothing awarded yet- Awards (0)
- No award published
- Contracts (0)
- No contract published
- Bid statistics
- No aggregate bid statistics published
Contracting authority & participating public bodies
Dispute resolution & review bodies
- High Court of JusticeReview body
Official documents & specifications (2)
Official links; attachments are not copiedTender pack and attachments
- Economic and financial selection criteria
- Technical selection criteria