CPU7109 - Alternative Provision (Education) Services Open Framework

Once this Tender Notice is published, Tender documents can be obtained from the East Midlands Procurement Portal at https://www.eastmidstenders.org/ by searching for CPU7109. This Open Framework is for the provision of Alternative Provision (Education) Services. Nottingham City Council is seeking Tenders from sufficiently experienced and qualified providers to establish a multi-Lot, multi-Supplier Open Framework of independent Alternative Education Provision Suppliers in compliance with the Act. This Procurement consists of Lots as detailed below: Lot 1 - SEND & Specialist Education Lot 2 - Crisis & Stabilisation Lot 3 - Core Education, Post-16 & Long-Term AP The Authority is seeking to put in place an Open Framework to establish the initial Framework and appoint one or more Framework Members to deliver services. This Procurement is intended to set up a list of approved Framework Members. There is no limit to the number of Suppliers who can be Framework Members. Contract Award Procedures will then be conducted, and Call-off contracts will then be awarded. The Open Framework Mechanism allows the Authority to 're-open' the Framework to new Framework Members, while allow existing Framework members to also remain as Framework Members. The Authority reserves the right to re-open the Framework to new potential Framework Members when it deems it is required to ensure: • Procurement legislation is complied with. • Capacity requirements can be met. • To ensure adequate competition in the Call-off Award Procedure. • To meet needs that are not satisfied by current Framework Members. • Increased area to serve due to Local Government Re-organisation. • Other reasons deemed reasonable by the Authority. The Authority will post a Tender Notice on Find Tender Service/CDP when it re-opens the Framework for new Tender submissions. As this Procurement is for a 'Light Touch Contract', the process and award of Call-off contracts may include some flexibilities permitted by this Special Regime of the Procurement Act (2023) and the Schools exemptions. The Framework will consist of Independent Schools (privately funded, including public schools) and Independent Providers. Publicly Owned/Funded Schools (inc LA maintained schools, faith schools, grammar schools, state boarding schools, voluntary schools), Academy Trusts and Free Schools do not need to register or apply to be on this framework as awards to these organisations are exempt under the Procurement Act 2023. This is a light touch special regime contract as per Sections 8 and 9 of the Procurement Act 2023. The process to be used will be the Open Procedure as per Section 20 of the Procurement Act 2023. Users of the Framework There will be numerous users of the Framework (Framework User) that will be able to award Call-off Contracts via this Framework. The main Framework User is anticipated to be Raleigh Educational Trust (PPON) is PHWL-2499-QDND. Other Framework Users will fall into the following categories if they are in the Nottingham City Council authority boundary area: • Publicly Owned/Funded Schools (inc LA maintained schools, faith schools, grammar schools, state boarding schools, voluntary schools) • Pupil Referral Unit (RET) • Academies / Multi Academy Trusts • Free Schools TUPE The initial tendering of this Procurement does not give rise to the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) 2006 Regulations, as no existing services are being transferred. Where existing services are reviewed and put out as a Call-off Award Procedure opportunity then TUPE may be considered in each relevant case. Consideration of SME's SME's have been considered as below: • Advanced notice promoted via Pipeline Notice. • PME Process • Requirement split via Lots. • Longer than required bid time provided. • No insurance required at Framework stage. • Low liability cap amounts. • Framework can be re-opened for new SME's/Suppliers Framework Term The first framework for a term of up to three years starting from 14 April 2027 to 13 April 2030 and a second framework for a term of up to a further five years from 14 April 2030 to 13 April 2035. The actual Framework dates and number of Frameworks are indicative only, but the total Term is of all Frameworks added together is a maximum of eight years. In the event that only one supplier is appointed to any individual Framework in the scheme of Frameworks during the open Framework Period then the maximum term for the Framework, and the open Framework, will be 4 years from the date on which the single supplier Framework is awarded. PME Pre-market Engagement has been undertaken and Notice was published on the CDP on the 25 March 2026, notice reference2026/S 000-027146. Tender Modifications The Authority reserves the right to: • Refine/modify the Procurement process and/or terms • Refine the Pass / Fall Criteria • 'Roll' the Procurement back to an appropriate previous stage. • Refine the Specification • Refine the Framework Agreement LGR Local G