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Cymraeg

UK4

Accredited learning programmes across the policy profession

  • First published: 11 June 2026
  • Last modified: 11 June 2026
  • Version: N/A

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To record your interest or obtain additional information or documents please find instructions within the Full Notice Text. (NOTE: Contract Award Notices and Prior Information Notices do not normally require a response)

Contents

Summary

OCID:
ocds-h6vhtk-059e28
Published by:
Department for Education
Authority ID:
AA20011
Publication date:
11 June 2026
Deadline date:
14 July 2026
Notice type:
UK4
Has documents:
No
Has SPD:
No
Has Carbon Reduction Plan:
N/A

Abstract

The Civil Service Policy Profession consists of around 38,500 civil servants making it the second largest profession in government. It has a presence across the regions and nations of the UK. The work of policy professionals has a profound impact on the lives of people across the country. Upskilling policy makers will mean they develop better policies that will deliver better outcomes for the public. The Policy Profession Unit, which is part of the Department for Education but works on behalf of policy professionals across government, has responsibility for overseeing the development of the Policy Profession. This includes building the skills and capability of individual policy makers at different stages of their careers. We are seeking to partner with higher education institution(s) to develop and deliver, from September 2027, accredited programmes at postgraduate level that build the skills and capabilities of UK civil servants in line with the Policy Profession Standards.This procurement consists of two lots: Lot 1 and Lot 2. Suppliers may bid for either or both lots, and we expect any bids covering both lots to include a proposed discount structure.Lot 1 (itt_3995): The procurement of a contract for five cohorts for an accredited 180-credit Master’s course, with one cohort per academic year from AY 2027/28, designed for experienced civil service policy leaders. It will aim to strengthen advanced policy capability, enabling leaders to apply academic rigour and best practice to complex government policy challenges while continuing in their roles.Lot 2 (itt_3999): Lot 2 is for a postgraduate accredited learning offer for civil service policy professionals, including standalone modules, a Postgraduate Award, Certificate and Diploma for experienced practitioners. It also includes a separate 30-credit Postgraduate Award for Government Policy Fast Streamers, delivered to an annual cohort on a structured three-year timetable.The Department for Education will hold these contracts, however the programmes must be accessible to all civil service departments.Funding estimates included within this notice are based off of historic student volumes and spending. Actual contract value will be determined by actual student volumes that will be funded by individual departments. The Department makes no commitment at this stage to the final funding envelope for contractual activity.Please see the recording of the early market engagement event here: https://youtu.be/Buv5dtEd2_4The closing date for this procurement is 13 July 2026 at 12:00, and the clarification window will remain open until 30 June 2026 at 15:00.Please submit all clarification questions and your bid response through the Jaggaer system under project_10154, which is being used to manage this procurement.

Full notice text

Scope

Procurement reference

Project_10154

Procurement description

The Civil Service Policy Profession consists of around 38,500 civil servants making it the second largest profession in government. It has a presence across the regions and nations of the UK. The work of policy professionals has a profound impact on the lives of people across the country. Upskilling policy makers will mean they develop better policies that will deliver better outcomes for the public.

The Policy Profession Unit, which is part of the Department for Education but works on behalf of policy professionals across government, has responsibility for overseeing the development of the Policy Profession. This includes building the skills and capability of individual policy makers at different stages of their careers. We are seeking to partner with higher education institution(s) to develop and deliver, from September 2027, accredited programmes at postgraduate level that build the skills and capabilities of UK civil servants in line with the Policy Profession Standards.

This procurement consists of two lots: Lot 1 and Lot 2. Suppliers may bid for either or both lots, and we expect any bids covering both lots to include a proposed discount structure.

Lot 1 (itt_3995): The procurement of a contract for five cohorts for an accredited 180-credit Master’s course, with one cohort per academic year from AY 2027/28, designed for experienced civil service policy leaders. It will aim to strengthen advanced policy capability, enabling leaders to apply academic rigour and best practice to complex government policy challenges while continuing in their roles.

Lot 2 (itt_3999): Lot 2 is for a postgraduate accredited learning offer for civil service policy professionals, including standalone modules, a Postgraduate Award, Certificate and Diploma for experienced practitioners. It also includes a separate 30-credit Postgraduate Award for Government Policy Fast Streamers, delivered to an annual cohort on a structured three-year timetable.

The Department for Education will hold these contracts, however the programmes must be accessible to all civil service departments.

Funding estimates included within this notice are based off of historic student volumes and spending. Actual contract value will be determined by actual student volumes that will be funded by individual departments. The Department makes no commitment at this stage to the final funding envelope for contractual activity.

Please see the recording of the early market engagement event here: https://youtu.be/Buv5dtEd2_4

The closing date for this procurement is 13 July 2026 at 12:00, and the clarification window will remain open until 30 June 2026 at 15:00.

Please submit all clarification questions and your bid response through the Jaggaer system under project_10154, which is being used to manage this procurement.

Main category

Services

Delivery regions

  • UK - United Kingdom

Total value (estimated, excluding VAT)

16550000 GBP to 16550000GBP

Contract dates (estimated)

14 September 2026, 00:00AM to 13 September 2031, 23:59PM

Extension end date (if all the extensions are used): 13 September 2032

Contracting authority

Department for Education

Identification register:

  • GB-PPON

Address 1: Sanctuary Buildings, 20 Great Smith Street

Town/City: London

Postcode: SW1P3BT

Country: United Kingdom

Public Procurement Organisation Number: PDZG-3487-DPVD

NUTS code: UKI32

Email: PolicyAssurance.COMMERCIALQUERIES@education.gov.uk

Organisation type: Public authority - central government

Procedure

Procedure type

Open procedure

Is the total value above threshold?

Above threshold

Lots

Divided into 2 lots

Accredited learning offer for expert policy leaders (180 Credit Master’s qualification)

Lot number: 1

Description

The procurement of a contract for five cohorts for an accredited 180-credit Master’s course, with one cohort per academic year from AY 2027/28, designed for experienced civil service policy leaders. It will aim to strengthen advanced policy capability, enabling leaders to apply academic rigour and best practice to complex government policy challenges while continuing in their roles.

This contract will allow for enrolment over a period of 5 academic years, from 2027-28. Final enrolments will take place before September 2032. The contract will end once all payments due have been made.

The bidder must commit to allowing and supporting all learners enrolled in the course before and inclusive of the final enrolment point the opportunity to complete their programmes within the agreed delivery time frame for each qualification. Bidders must commit to supplying all teaching, assessment, and pastoral support to all enrolled learners that they are committed to providing as a part of their proposal. The bidder must ensure that they are providing the same quality of services and are committed to maintaining the rhythm of reporting against the KPIs.

CPV classifications

  • 80300000 - Higher education services

Delivery regions

  • UK - United Kingdom

Lot value (estimated)

5360000 GBP Excluding VAT

5360000 GBP Including VAT

Sustainability

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)

Contract start date (estimated)

14 September 2026, 00:00AM

Contract end date (estimated)

13 September 2031, 23:59PM

Extension end date (estimated)

13 September 2032, 23:59PM

Can the contract be extended?

Yes

Description of extensions

DfE reserves the right to extend this Contract by any period or periods of its choosing. Any extension shall be exercised by DfE giving the Supplier no less than three (3) months’ written notice prior to the expiry of the then current term.

DfE further reserves the right to extend the Contract to cover additional cohorts or cohort volumes. Where such extensions are exercised, the maximum value of the Contract extension must not exceed 100% of the initial Contract value, in accordance with the pricing mechanism to be set out in Schedule 3 (Charges), provided that the overall nature of the Contract remains unchanged.

Does the lot include options?

Yes

Description of options

DfE reserves the right to extend this Contract by any period or periods of its choosing. Any extension shall be exercised by DfE giving the Supplier no less than three (3) months’ written notice prior to the expiry of the then current term.

DfE further reserves the right to extend the Contract to cover additional cohorts or cohort volumes. Where such extensions are exercised, the maximum value of the Contract extension must not exceed 100% of the initial Contract value, in accordance with the pricing mechanism to be set out in Schedule 3 (Charges), provided that the overall nature of the Contract remains unchanged.

Participation

Conditions

Economic

Conditions of participation

GDPR - Pass/Fail - A pass is required for the PSQ Submission to be considered further by the Department. To pass  the GDPR section, Potential Suppliers must self-certify that they have already have in place or commit to have in place by contract award, the human and technical resources to perform the Contract to ensure compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation and to ensure the protection of the rights of data subjects. A Potential Supplier who fails to satisfy this Minimum Standard will be excluded from the process and not be further considered. 

Financial Standing - Pass/Fail - All bidders will be asked to complete a Financial Viability Risk Assessment Tool (FVRAT) as part of this process which will be provided alongside the other bidder documentation. In order to pass the CoP, Potential Suppliers must provide all the information necessary to facilitate the assessment. Any Potential Supplier who fails to provide all the information required will, at the discretion of the Department, have been deemed to fail.

Insurance - Pass/Fail - A pass is required for the PSQ Submission to be considered further by the Department. Evidence will be sought from the successful Potential Supplier prior to contract award. To pass the Insurance section, Potential Suppliers must self-certify that they already have, or can commit to obtain, prior to the commencement of the Contract, the levels of insurance indicated. A Potential Supplier who fails to satisfy this Minimum Standard will be excluded from the process and not be further considered.

Conditions

Economic

Conditions of participation

Four questions on technical ability. Each criterion will be marked as either a ‘pass’ or a ‘fail’. A pass is required for PSQ Submission to be considered further by the Department. Evidence will be sought from the successful Potential Supplier prior to contract award.

Q1: Bidding as Higher Education Institution, registered with the Office for Students (OFS) with degree awarding powers.

Q2: Whether the potential bidder is or previously been subject to a quality investigation with the Office for Students (OFS) where concerns have been found.

Q3: Whether the potential bidder's delivery model is based on subcontracting or franchising learning delivery to third party suppliers that a) are not a HEI registered with the OFS and b) are currently or have been subject to a quality investigation with the OFS where concerns have been found.

Q4: Potential bidder to provide three examples demonstrating their institution’s experience in tailoring, delivering, and developing executive education to full-time working professionals

Award criteria

Type: quality

Name

Quality Criteria (including social value)

Description

Question 

Q1 - Curriculum Design and Content 

Q2 - Assessment and Accreditation 

Q3 - Delivery Arrangements 

Q4 - Enrolment, Administration, and Payment 

Q5 - Learner Support, Accessibility and Inclusion 

Q6 - Programme Governance, Quality, and Evaluation 

Question – Social Value

Q1 - Creating Opportunities for young people

Q2 - Expanding Access for Underrepresented Groups

Weighting: 70

Weighting type: percentageExact

Type: price

Name

Course pricing

Description

Bidders are required to provide a per-learner fee for the Expert level 180 Credit Master’s qualification

Weighting: 30

Weighting type: percentageExact

Postgraduate level accredited learning offer for policy practitioners

Lot number: 2

Description

Lot 2 (itt_3999) is for a postgraduate accredited learning offer for civil service policy professionals, including standalone modules, a Postgraduate Award, Certificate and Diploma for experienced practitioners. It also includes a separate 30-credit Postgraduate Award for Government Policy Fast Streamers, delivered to an annual cohort on a structured three-year timetable.

This contract will allow for enrolment over a period of 5 academic years, from 2027-28. Final enrolments will take place before September 2032. The contract will end once all payments due have been made.

The bidder must commit to allowing and supporting all learners enrolled in the course before and inclusive of the final enrolment point the opportunity to complete their programmes within the agreed delivery time frame for each qualification. Bidders must commit to supplying all teaching, assessment, and pastoral support to all enrolled learners that they are committed to providing as a part of their proposal. The bidder must ensure that they are providing the same quality of services and are committed to maintaining the rhythm of reporting against the KPIs.

CPV classifications

  • 80300000 - Higher education services

Delivery regions

  • UK - United Kingdom

Lot value (estimated)

11190000 GBP Excluding VAT

11190000 GBP Including VAT

Sustainability

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)

Contract start date (estimated)

14 September 2026, 00:00AM

Contract end date (estimated)

13 September 2031, 23:59PM

Extension end date (estimated)

13 September 2032, 23:59PM

Can the contract be extended?

Yes

Description of extensions

DfE reserves the right to extend this Contract by any period or periods of its choosing. Any extension shall be exercised by DfE giving the Supplier no less than three (3) months’ written notice prior to the expiry of the then current term.

DfE further reserves the right to extend the Contract to cover additional cohorts or cohort volumes. Where such extensions are exercised, the maximum value of the Contract extension must not exceed 100% of the initial Contract value, in accordance with the pricing mechanism to be set out in Schedule 3 (Charges), provided that the overall nature of the Contract remains unchanged.

Does the lot include options?

Yes

Description of options

DfE reserves the right to extend this Contract by any period or periods of its choosing. Any extension shall be exercised by DfE giving the Supplier no less than three (3) months’ written notice prior to the expiry of the then current term.

DfE further reserves the right to extend the Contract to cover additional cohorts or cohort volumes. Where such extensions are exercised, the maximum value of the Contract extension must not exceed 100% of the initial Contract value, in accordance with the pricing mechanism to be set out in Schedule 3 (Charges), provided that the overall nature of the Contract remains unchanged.

Participation

Conditions

Economic

Conditions of participation

GDPR - Pass/Fail - A pass is required for the PSQ Submission to be considered further by the Department. To pass  the GDPR section, Potential Suppliers must self-certify that they have already have in place or commit to have in place by contract award, the human and technical resources to perform the Contract to ensure compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation and to ensure the protection of the rights of data subjects. A Potential Supplier who fails to satisfy this Minimum Standard will be excluded from the process and not be further considered. 

Financial Standing - Pass/Fail - All bidders will be asked to complete a Financial Viability Risk Assessment Tool (FVRAT) as part of this process which will be provided alongside the other bidder documentation. In order to pass the CoP, Potential Suppliers must provide all the information necessary to facilitate the assessment. Any Potential Supplier who fails to provide all the information required will, at the discretion of the Department, have been deemed to fail.

Insurance - Pass/Fail - A pass is required for the PSQ Submission to be considered further by the Department. Evidence will be sought from the successful Potential Supplier prior to contract award. To pass the Insurance section, Potential Suppliers must self-certify that they already have, or can commit to obtain, prior to the commencement of the Contract, the levels of insurance indicated. A Potential Supplier who fails to satisfy this Minimum Standard will be excluded from the process and not be further considered.

Conditions

Economic

Conditions of participation

Four questions on technical ability. Each criterion will be marked as either a ‘pass’ or a ‘fail’. A pass is required for PSQ Submission to be considered further by the Department. Evidence will be sought from the successful Potential Supplier prior to contract award.

Q1: Bidding as Higher Education Institution, registered with the Office for Students (OFS) with degree awarding powers.

Q2: Whether the potential bidder is or previously been subject to a quality investigation with the Office for Students (OFS) where concerns have been found.

Q3: Whether the potential bidder's delivery model is based on subcontracting or franchising learning delivery to third party suppliers that a) are not a HEI registered with the OFS and b) are currently or have been subject to a quality investigation with the OFS where concerns have been found.

Q4: Potential bidder to provide three examples demonstrating their institution’s experience in tailoring, delivering, and developing executive education to full-time working professionals

Award criteria

Type: quality

Name

Quality Criteria (including social value)

Description

Question - Technical

Q1 - Curriculum Design and Content 

Q2 - Assessment and Accreditation 

Q3 - Delivery Arrangements 

Q4 - Enrolment, Administration, and Payment 

Q5 - Learner Support, Accessibility and Inclusion 

Q6 - Programme Governance, Quality, and Evaluation 

Question – Social Value

Q1 - Creating Opportunities for young people

Q2 - Expanding Access for Underrepresented Groups

Weighting: 70

Weighting type: percentageExact

Type: price

Name

Module pricing

Description

Bids are required to provide a per-learner fee for each course as below:

1. Standalone modules

2. Postgraduate Award

3. Postgraduate Certificate

4. Postgraduate Diploma

5. Fast Stream Postgraduate Award

Weighting: 30

Weighting type: percentageExact

Contract terms and risks

Payment terms

The Authority expects the supplier to work directly with government departments, agencies, and ALBs to process payments for their learners. The Authority will work directly with the successful supplier to ensure that government departments, agencies, and ALBs are able to make payment directly to the successful supplier.

Submission

Tender submission deadline

13 July 2026, 12:00PM

Enquiry deadline

30 June 2026, 15:00PM

Date of award of contract

14 September 2026, 23:59PM

Submission address and any special instructions

Via the Jaggaer portal - https://education.app.jaggaer.com/esop/guest/go/opportunity/detail?opportunityId=60760

May tenders be submitted electronically?

Yes

Languages that may be used for submission

  • English

Documents

ID

conflictOfInterest

Document type

Conflict of interest

Description

Not published

Coding

Commodity categories

ID Title Parent category
80300000 Higher education services Education and training services

Delivery locations

ID Description
100 UK - All

Alert region restrictions

The buyer has restricted the alert for this notice to suppliers based in the following regions.

ID Description
There are no alert restrictions for this notice.

About the buyer

Main contact:
N/a
Admin contact:
N/a
Technical contact:
N/a
Other contact:
N/a

Further information

Date Details
No further information has been uploaded.
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