Official UK procurement notice
WSCC Independent Alternative Provision (IAP)
Authority: West Sussex County Council (Local council)
What is being bought
Published requirement descriptionThe Authority is committed to ensuring access to high-quality education for all Learners, in line with statutory duties under the Education Act. To achieve this, we commission Independent Alternative Provision (IAP) to complement mainstream education, provide short-term interventions, and deliver Education Other Than At School (EOTAS) packages where appropriate.
This Framework will operate in addition to the Authority's commissioned placements at the Ofsted-regulated West Sussex Alternative Provision College (APC), which offers full-time education.
The Framework aims to secure safe, high-quality Alternative Provision that: acts as an intervention, not a destination; supports timely reintegration and/or transition of Learners into long-term education, training, or employment; and meets the individual needs of Learners, particularly Learners with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) with a particular demand on provisions supporting Learners with Social Emotional Mental Health (SEMH) and Autism.
The Framework has been updated to align with the Non-School Alternative Provision Voluntary National Standards (August 2025), ensuring Suppliers meet nationally recognized benchmarks for quality and safeguarding.
Structure of the Framework
This opportunity does not include separate Lots. Suppliers may apply for one or more Tiers and can request to add additional Tiers at any point during the Framework term.
Tier 1: Provision commissioned by schools for Learners at risk of placement breakdown (e.g., short-term intervention to maintain engagement).
Tier 2: Transitional placements commissioned by the Authority while seeking a permanent education setting.
Tier 3: Provision commissioned by the Authority for Learners with an agreed EOTAS package.
Tier 4: Specialist targeted support commissioned by the Authority for Learners supported by a multi-disciplinary team.
The Tender Document pack , including full details of the services required, can be viewed via the Authority's e-tendering Portal. atamis-7669.my.site.com/s/Welcome ↗
CPV: Education and training 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
- 55 bids received · 48 suppliers appointed
- Framework period
- 2 yrs · up to 8 yrs from 1 Mar 2026
- Scheme runs until
- 28 Feb 2034
Published description of the framework
Light Touch Regime Open Framework permanently open with quarterly evaluations.
The lotProcurement structure
single lot · value publishedLot #1AwardedRenewalPublished value£224,595,000
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 (1)
- Quality: Weighting 100%
- “WSCC Independent Alternative Provision (IAP)” 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
- 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
- Unspecified in notice
- Recurring procurement
- Unspecified in notice
- First published
- 23 May 2025, 12:32 BST
- Last source update
- 1 Jul 2026, 15:45 BST
- Award evaluation window
- Submission end – 20 Feb 2026
- Authority reference
C21325- FTS notice number
2025/S 000-073641- Latest notice
- Contract award notice (UK6)
- Classification (CPV)
- Delivery area
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-052226Find a Tender
How it was run
Official notice- Appointment period ends
- 15 Dec 2025, 12:00 GMT
- Clarification deadline
- 2 Dec 2025, 12:00 GMT
- Submission channel
- Official e-sourcing portal
- Electronic submission
- Allowed
- Accepted languages
- en
Timeline
23 May 2025 → 1 Jul 2026 · 10 dates- Planning notice published23 May 2025, 12:32 BST
- Market engagement10 Jul 2025, 23:59 BST
Market Engagement Opportunity – Alternative Provision Providers 8th and 10th of July West Sussex County Council invite regulated and non-regulated alternative provision providers to engage with us on 8th July and 10th of July as we explore innovative partnerships to enhance educational outcomes for learners requiring tailored support. This notice IS NOT the commencement of the procurement procedure, neither is it a call for expressions of interest. This notice is released to gather more information to further inform our specification. This engagement aims to understand your unique offerings, service models, and how you can contribute to a diverse and flexible provision landscape. If you are passionate about delivering bespoke educational alternatives outside the mainstream framework and are eager to collaborate on future opportunities, we would like to hear from you. You are welcome to join us online to discuss needs, share insights, and shape pathways that empower learners to thrive. 8th of July from 12 to 2pm 10th of July from 3 to 5pm Email [email protected] with the information below for each contact you would like the team to send you an invite for. Your name: Your email: Your position: Does your service currently provide AP in West Sussex Yes/No Organisation: Website: Please share a link to your website if you have one PLEASE NOTE The contract duration stated in this notice is the maximum possible
- Next notice expected15 Sept 2025, 23:59 BST
- Tender notice published346 days ago13 Nov 2025, 15:28 GMT
- Clarification questions by327 days ago2 Dec 2025, 12:00 GMT
- Admission / appointment period ends314 days ago · period end, not a bid countdown15 Dec 2025, 12:00 GMT
- Award decision expected by246 days ago20 Feb 2026, 23:59 GMT
- Contract starts238 days ago1 Mar 2026
- Assessment summaries sent116 days ago1 Jul 2026, 00:00 BST
- Latest notice published116 days ago1 Jul 2026, 15:45 BST
Notice history
11 events · 5 releases on Find a Tender · since 23 May 2025- Pipeline notice published23 May 2025, 12:32 BSTUK1
- Preliminary market engagement notice published20 Jun 2025, 08:45 BSTUK2
- Tender notice published13 Nov 2025, 15:28 GMTUK4
- Status changed to active13 Nov 2025, 15:28 GMT
- Procurement method changed13 Nov 2025, 15:28 GMT
- Deadline published: 10 Dec 2025, 12:00 GMT13 Nov 2025, 15:28 GMT
- Tender notice published5 Dec 2025, 10:09 GMTUK4
- Deadline moved to 15 Dec 2025, 12:00 GMT5 Dec 2025, 10:09 GMT+5 days · was 10 Dec 2025, 12:00 GMT
- Contract award notice published1 Jul 2026, 15:45 BSTUK6
- Status changed to complete1 Jul 2026, 15:45 BST
- Contract signature expected31 Aug 2026, 23:59 BSTscheduled
Published amendments (1)
The tender submission deadline has been amended and pushed back to Monday the 15th of December 2025.
Routine re-releases (5)
- 2025-06: 1 release · 20 Jun 2025
- 2025-05: 1 release · 23 May 2025
Commercial outcome & contract awards
Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast| Awarded to | Value | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| EQUINE PARTNERS CIOVCSE, FERRING COUNTRY CENTRE LIMITEDVCSE, LORICA TRUST LIMITEDVCSE, Nudge Education LtdSME, PEER PRODUCTIONSVCSE, Prospero Group Ltd +42 moreFRAMEWORK AGREEMENT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LIGHT-TOUCH REGIME PROCUREMENT ACT 2023 FOR INDEPENDENT ALTERNATIVE PROVISION OF EDUCATION SERVICES1 Sept 2026 – 31 Mar 2028 · up to 31 Mar 2034Extensions: Initial term of two years with the option to extend in increments of up to two years. Maximum term of eight years. | £224,595,000 | 1 Jul 2026 | Awarded |
Bid statistics published by the authority
| Bids | SME | VCSE | Valid bid range |
|---|---|---|---|
| 55final-stage tenders · 61 at stage one | 46 | 7 | — |
Who bid
- did not winABC EDUCATION LIMITEDSME · South East England
- did not winABYSS SCUBA SCHOOL CIC · South East England
- did not winACKERMAN PIERCE EDUCATION LTD · Greater London
- did not winALL INCLUSIVE EDUCATION GROUP LTD · Greater London
- did not winANGLING 4 EDUCATION LIMITED · South East England
- did not winANZUK EDUCATION LTDSME · Greater London
- did not winASEND LIMITEDSME · Greater London
- did not winASPHALEIA LIMITEDSME · South East England
- did not winASPIRE FARM SCHOOL LTD · South East England
- did not winBE MY TUTOR LTDSME · East of England
- did not winBETTER EDSPACE LIMITED · South East England
- did not winBOSHAM TUTORS LTD · South East England
- did not winBRIGHTON FORWARD LTD · South East England
- did not winBRIGHTTEACH LTDSME · Yorkshire and the Humber
- did not winCAY COLLEGE CIC · South East England
- did not winD L HAYES EDUCATION SERVICES LTD · Greater London
- did not winWITH GRASS ROOTS LTD · North East England
- did not winEDUCATE U FUTURES LIMITED · South East England
- did not winELITE TUTORS SUSSEX LTD · South East England
- wonEQUINE PARTNERS CIOVCSE · South East England
- wonFERRING COUNTRY CENTRE LIMITEDVCSE · South East England
- did not winFLEET EDUCATION SERVICES LIMITED · Greater London
- did not winFRESH START IN EDUCATION LIMITEDSME · South East England
- did not winGAIA LEARNING LTD · North West England
- did not winHARD TO HUMAN LIMITED · South East England
- did not winKINDERS MTBC LTD · South East England
- did not winLEARN WITH CONFIDENCE LTD · South East England
- wonLORICA TRUST LIMITEDVCSE · South East England
- did not winTHE NATIONAL TEACHING & ADVISORY SERVICE LIMITED · North West England
- wonNUDGE EDUCATION LIMITEDSME · North East England
- did not winOAKS RISE CICVCSE · South East England
- did not winOUTCOMES FIRST 4 LIMITED · North West England
- did not winOUTDOOR ANIMAL-ASSISTED THERAPY SERVICES LTD · Yorkshire and the Humber
- wonPEER PRODUCTIONSVCSE · South East England
- wonPROSPERO GROUP LTD · Greater London
- did not winC&G EDUCATION LTD · South East England
- wonTHE RUSSELL MARTIN FOUNDATIONVCSE · South East England
- did not winSENSE LEARNING LIMITED · South East England
- did not winSERENMARIA LTD · South East England
- did not winSURREY CHOICES LTD · South East England
- wonTARGETED PROVISION LTDSME · Greater London
- did not winThe Holly Project · South East England
- did not winTHE READING DOCTOR LTD · South East England
- did not winTHE STABLES AT CISSBURY LIMITED · South East England
- did not winTEACHING PERSONNEL LIMITED · Greater London
- did not winTute EducationSME · North West England
- did not winUNICARE COMPLEX CARE SPECIALIST · Greater London
- did not winWESTERLANDS FARM ENTERPRISES LIMITED · South East England
- did not winCHICHESTER FOREST SCHOOLS CICVCSE · South East England
- did not winCRIMSHAM FARM CIC · South East England
- did not winHOW TO BASICALLY LTD · South East England
- did not winKatie's Horse Care Club · South East England
- did not winQUEST GAMIFY LTD · South East England
- did not winLeftfield Learning Collective Ltd · Greater London
- did not winTHE LEARNING ROOM BRIGHTON LIMITED · South East England
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
55 commercial parties on the notice · 43 awardedThe first 50 of 55 commercial parties (by name); the JSON mirror lists them all.
- ABC EDUCATION LIMITEDFramework contractor
- ABYSS SCUBA SCHOOL CICFramework contractor
- ACKERMAN PIERCE EDUCATION LTDFramework contractor
- ALL INCLUSIVE EDUCATION GROUP LTDFramework contractor
- ANGLING 4 EDUCATION LIMITEDFramework contractor
- ANZUK EDUCATION LTDFramework contractor
- ASEND LIMITEDFramework contractor
- ASPHALEIA LIMITEDFramework contractor
- ASPIRE FARM SCHOOL LTDFramework contractor
- BE MY TUTOR LTDFramework contractor
Show 40 more suppliers
- BETTER EDSPACE LIMITEDFramework contractor
- BOSHAM TUTORS LTDFramework contractor
- BRIGHTON FORWARD LTDFramework contractor
- BRIGHTTEACH LTDFramework contractor
- C&G EDUCATION LTDFramework contractor
- CAY COLLEGE CICFramework contractor
- CHICHESTER FOREST SCHOOLS CICBidder / tenderer
- CRIMSHAM FARM CICBidder / tenderer
- D L HAYES EDUCATION SERVICES LTDFramework contractor
- EDUCATE U FUTURES LIMITEDFramework contractor
- ELITE TUTORS SUSSEX LTDFramework contractor
- EQUINE PARTNERS CIOFramework contractor
- FERRING COUNTRY CENTRE LIMITEDFramework contractor
- FLEET EDUCATION SERVICES LIMITEDFramework contractor
- FRESH START IN EDUCATION LIMITEDFramework contractor
- GAIA LEARNING LTDFramework contractor
- HARD TO HUMAN LIMITEDFramework contractor
- HOW TO BASICALLY LTDBidder / tenderer
- KINDERS MTBC LTDFramework contractor
- Katie's Horse Care ClubBidder / tenderer
- LEARN WITH CONFIDENCE LTDFramework contractor
- LORICA TRUST LIMITEDFramework contractor
- Leftfield Learning Collective LtdBidder / tenderer
- NUDGE EDUCATION LIMITEDFramework contractor
- OAKS RISE CICFramework contractor
- OUTCOMES FIRST 4 LIMITEDFramework contractor
- OUTDOOR ANIMAL-ASSISTED THERAPY SERVICES LTDFramework contractor
- PEER PRODUCTIONSFramework contractor
- PROSPERO GROUP LTDFramework contractor
- QUEST GAMIFY LTDBidder / tenderer
- SENSE LEARNING LIMITEDFramework contractor
- SERENMARIA LTDFramework contractor
- SURREY CHOICES LTDFramework contractor
- TARGETED PROVISION LTDFramework contractor
- TEACHING PERSONNEL LIMITEDFramework contractor
- THE LEARNING ROOM BRIGHTON LIMITEDBidder / tenderer
- THE NATIONAL TEACHING & ADVISORY SERVICE LIMITEDFramework contractor
- THE READING DOCTOR LTDFramework contractor
- THE RUSSELL MARTIN FOUNDATIONFramework contractor
- THE STABLES AT CISSBURY LIMITEDFramework contractor
Official documents & specifications (6)
Official links; attachments are not copiedTender pack and attachments
Notices published for this procedure
- 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