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Changes to notice

This notice has been edited. The previous version is still available.

Added further information to Scope for clarity. No changes in Lots or tender content.

Scope

Reference

AST 2026-140

Description

CONTRACT OPPORTUNITY ADVERT

Curriculum and Non-Curriculum Services

Open Framework Agreement

ITT Reference: AST 2026-140

Avanti Schools Trust ("AST") is seeking expressions of interest from suitably qualified, experienced and innovative providers to join a new Open Framework Agreement for the provision of curriculum and non-curriculum services across its family of schools and the wider education sector. This is a significant opportunity to partner with a forward-thinking multi-academy trust and gain access to a broad range of education and public sector clients through a compliant, flexible and accessible procurement framework.

Scope of Services

Suppliers are invited to apply for one or more of the following Lots:

• Lot 1 Curriculum Services Provision of education-focused services such as curriculum development, school improvement support, CPD, training, enrichment programmes, assessment support, Spirituality and or faith development and specialist advisory services.

• Lot 2 FM and Estates Services Delivery of facilities management services including maintenance, cleaning, grounds, compliance support and estates management.

• Lot 3 IT Support and Related Services Provision of IT support, managed services, consultancy, infrastructure support, technical advice and project delivery.

• Lot 4 General Administration and Consultancy Services Provision of financial, operational, purchasing, governance, project management and strategic consultancy services.

Framework Overview

The framework will operate as an Open Framework in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023, allowing suppliers to be appointed at key intervals and ensuring continued competition and innovation.

It will be available for use by: Avanti Schools Trust and its schools; Multi academy trusts and academies; Local authorities and maintained schools; Further and higher education institutions. There is no guarantee of work; however, suppliers appointed to the framework will have the opportunity to be awarded contracts through direct award or further competition.

Key Benefits for Suppliers

Access to a wide and growing customer base across the education sector. Opportunity to deliver services to both AST and external contracting authorities; Participation in a compliant, well-governed and professionally managed framework; Fair and transparent call-off processes; Ability to showcase innovation, quality and social value delivery.

Our Expectations

AST is seeking suppliers that can demonstrate: Quality service delivery and sector expertise; Strong safeguarding awareness and compliance; Commitment to value for money and continuous improvement

Ability to deliver measurable outcomes and performance; Positive contributions to social value, sustainability and community impact.

How to Participate

Organisations wishing to register an interest in tendering should go to to express their interest. You will also be able view and respond to the ITT at the same time, view other attached documents and send questions and queries via the messaging system within the website. All communications regarding this tender must be via this messaging system. ITT Reference number: AST 2026-140: Curriculum and Non- Curriculum Services

If you need any assistance using the e-tendering website please call or email: support [at] in-tend.com or call Support Phone Number: +44 (0)114 407 0065. All communication and questions must be via the website.

All communication must be via the website or via Mitul Patel or Syed Haujee at procurement [at] avanti.org.uk. The deadline for the ITT is 15th July 2026, 15.00 hours (3pm)

Commercial tool

Establishes an open framework

A series of frameworks with substantially the same terms. Awarded suppliers are carried over and new suppliers can bid.

Total value (estimated)

• £100,000,000 including VAT

Above the relevant threshold

Contract dates (estimated)

• 9 September 2026 to 8 September 2030
• Possible extension to 8 September 2034
• 8 years

Description of possible extension:

Has a maximum framework term of up to four (4) years, subject to the operation of the wider scheme.

Forms part of a scheme with an overall duration of up to eight (8) years

Main procurement category

Services

Contract locations

• UK - United Kingdom

Not the same for all lots

CPV classifications are shown in Lot sections, because they are not the same for all lots.

Lot 1. Curriculum Services

Description

2) Schedule 2. Lot 1 - Curriculum Services

a) This Schedule sets out the indicative scope of Lot 1. The precise Services will be defined in each Call-Off Order Form

b) For the complete scope please refer to Document 5 'Service Specification' - Paragraph 1.

c) Curriculum design, development and review services

i) Subject-specific consultancy and improvement support

ii) Teacher/leader professional development (CPD), coaching and training

iii) Educational delivery support (e.g., tutoring, enrichment programmes) where permitted and specified

iv) Assessment and examinations support, moderation and quality assurance

v) Special educational needs and inclusion support services (advisory)

vi) Educational audits, evaluations and reports

vii) Any other educational services agreed within the call-off scope

d) Exclusions (unless expressly permitted in a Call-Off Contract and compliant with applicable law):

i) the direct employment or supply of agency workers, teachers or temporary staff under the supervision, direction or control of AST;

ii) the provision of services which constitute staff augmentation or labour-only supply;

iii) regulated activity without all required safeguarding and vetting checks;

iv) services requiring statutory appointments unless expressly agreed and legally permissible. Services under Lot 1 must be outcome-based and delivered as a managed service or consultancy arrangement, and must not amount to a contract for the supply of staff.

Please see Doc No. 5 Service Specification of the tender pack for complete scope

Lot value (estimated)

• £100,000,000 including VAT

Framework lot values may be shared with other lots

CPV classifications

• 75121000 - Administrative educational services
• 80000000 - Education and training services

Same for all lots

Contract locations and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.

Lot 2. FM & Estates Services

Description

3) Schedule 3. Lot 2: FM & Estates Services,

a) This Schedule sets out the indicative scope of Lot 2. The precise Services will be defined in each Call-Off Order Form

2.4.1. Hard FM & Compliance Services

2.4.2. Soft FM Services

2.4.3. Estates Management & Professional Services

2.4.4. Projects, Minor Works & Capital Support

2.4.5. Energy, Sustainability & Environmental Services

2.4.6. Security, Transport & Specialist Services

2.4.7. Plumbing, Heating, Ventilation Services

2.5. General Service Requirements (All Providers)

2.5.1. All services must:

2.5.1.1. Be delivered in occupied school environments

2.5.2. Be child‑centred, safeguarding‑aware and DBS‑compliant

2.5.3. Minimise disruption to education and comply with:

2.5.3.1. Statutory and regulatory requirements

2.5.3.2. DfE, ESFA, HSE, Ofsted and Building Safety expectations

2.5.3.3. Integrate with Trust policies, values and safeguarding culture

2.5.4. Support the Trust's environmental sustainability and social value ambitions.

Please see Doc No. 5 Service Specification of the tender pack for complete scope

Lot value (estimated)

• £100,000,000 including VAT

Framework lot values may be shared with other lots

CPV classifications

• 39715000 - Water heaters and heating for buildings; plumbing equipment
• 45262700 - Building alteration work
• 79993000 - Building and facilities management services

Same for all lots

Contract locations and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.

Lot 3. IT Support & Related Services

Description

4) Schedule 4. Lot 3: IT Support & Related Services

a) This Schedule sets out the indicative scope of Lot 3. The precise Services will be defined in each Call-Off Order Form

b) IT Services:

i) the provision of IT professional support & services,

ii) consultancy,

iii) managed services,

iv) project managers,

v) specialists and technical services

vi) Any other educational IT services & supplies agreed within the call-off scope

c) For the complete scope please refer to Document 5 'Service Specification' - Paragraph 3.

d) Exclusions (unless expressly included in a Call-Off): direct employment/agency supply of teaching staff; regulated activity without required vetting; services requiring statutory appointment unless agreed and legally permissible

Please see Doc No. 5 Service Specification of the tender pack for complete scope

Lot value (estimated)

• £100,000,000 including VAT

Framework lot values may be shared with other lots

CPV classifications

• 72222300 - Information technology services
• 72500000 - Computer-related services
• 72600000 - Computer support and consultancy services

Same for all lots

Contract locations and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.

Lot 4. General Administration & Consultancy Services

Description

5) Schedule 5. Lot 4: General Administration & Consultancy

a) This Schedule sets out the indicative scope of Lot 4. The precise Services will be defined in each Call-Off Order Form

i) Financial Consultancy & Advisory Services

ii) ESFA & Regulatory Support

iii) Specialist Financial Support

iv) Purchasing & Commercial Services

v) Commercial Advisory

vi) Contract & Supplier Management Services

vii) Administrative & Operational Support Services

viii) Operational Support

ix) Interim and Resource Support

x) Strategic, Tactical & Transformation Support

xi) Project & Programme Support

xii) Mobilisation, Reporting & Governance

xiii) Safeguarding, DBS & Conduct

xiv) Social Value, Sustainability & EDI

b) For the complete scope please refer to Document 5 'Service Specification' - Paragraph 4.

c) Any other non-curriculum services agreed within the call-off scope

d) Lot 4 may involve access to sensitive systems or premises; security requirements must be specified in the Call-Off Order Form.

Please see Doc No. 5 Service Specification of the tender pack for complete scope

Lot value (estimated)

• £100,000,000 including VAT

Framework lot values may be shared with other lots

CPV classifications

• 66171000 - Financial consultancy services
• 72224000 - Project management consultancy services
• 75121000 - Administrative educational services
• 79994000 - Contract administration services

Same for all lots

Contract locations and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.

Framework

Open framework scheme end date (estimated)

9 September 2034

Maximum number of suppliers

Unlimited

Maximum percentage fee charged to suppliers

1%

Framework operation description

d) Call‑Off Award Methods

i) Call‑Off Contracts may be awarded by AST using one of the following methods, in accordance with applicable procurement law and the Framework Agreement:

(1) Direct Award, where permitted by the procurement documents and where the terms of the requirement are sufficiently defined; and/or

(2) Further Competition (Mini‑Competition) between all capable Suppliers appointed to the relevant Lot.

ii) 4.2 AST shall determine the appropriate award method on a call‑off‑by‑call‑off basis.

iii) Direct award shall only be used where all core terms (including price and service scope) are sufficiently defined and an objective selection methodology (including [pricing hierarchy / rotation / ranking]) is applied

e) Call‑Off Procedure

i) For each Call‑Off Contract, AST shall issue a Call‑Off Order Form setting out, as a minimum:

(1) the participating schools/sites;

(2) a description of the Services;

(3) the Call‑Off term;

(4) pricing and charging mechanism;

(5) applicable KPIs and Service Levels;

(6) safeguarding, data protection and insurance requirements; and

(7) any Call‑Off specific special term that as a minimum has an awarded of between 40% Quality and 60% Commercial and 90% Quality and 10% Commercial.

ii) 5.2 A Call‑Off Contract shall only be formed once:

(1) the Call‑Off Order Form has been completed; and

(2) it has been signed by authorised representatives of both AST (or the relevant school) and the Supplier.

f) Further Competition Rules

i) Where AST runs a further competition, it shall:

(1) invite all Suppliers appointed to the relevant Lot who are capable of delivering the requirement;

(2) specify the award criteria, weightings and submission requirements; and

(3) allow a reasonable time for submission of tenders.

ii) Call‑Off Contracts awarded following a further competition shall be awarded on the basis of the stated award criteria, which may include quality, price and social value considerations. For the avoidance of doubt, the award criteria used in any Further Competition shall be based on, and shall not substantially depart from, the award criteria used to establish the Framework Agreement, save that such criteria may be refined or supplemented to reflect the specific requirements of the Call-Off Contract, in accordance with section 46 of the Procurement Act 2023

Award method when using the framework

Either with or without competition

Contracting authorities that may use the framework

This procurement is carried out by AST for its own use and for use by eligible contracting authorities, including:

Academies, maintained schools and multi-academy trusts, Local authorities

Further and higher education institutions, Other public sector bodies

AST shall act as framework administrator only and shall not be liable for:

The award, management or performance of any Call-Off Contract by other contracting authorities; or

Any acts or omissions of such authorities

Participation

Particular suitability

Lot 1. Curriculum Services

Lot 2. FM & Estates Services

Lot 3. IT Support & Related Services

Lot 4. General Administration & Consultancy Services

• Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
• Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)

Submission

Enquiry deadline

7 July 2026, 5:00pm

Tender submission deadline

15 July 2026, 3:00pm

Submission address and any special instructions

Tenders may be submitted electronically

Yes

Languages that may be used for submission

English

Award decision date (estimated)

10 August 2026

Award criteria

Weighting description

Award Criteria

Offers will be evaluated to join the framework will be on the basis of the most economically advantageous tender

Evaluation will be based on:

Quality / Technical Merit

Commercial / Price

Evaluation weighting for Framework Agreement Submission:

80% Quality and 20% Price will used for ranking and direct award

Where Further Competition is carried out evaluation criteria may vary within the following ranges:

Between 40% Quality / 60% Commercial and 90% Quality / 10% Commercial

AST reserves the...

right to appoint multiple suppliers per Lot and to adjust Criteria % where further competition is carried out.

Bidders will be ranked in order of overall score and be selected by call off for services required by direct award or further competition

Other information

Applicable trade agreements

• Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)

Conflicts assessment prepared/revised

Yes

Procedure

Procedure type

Open procedure

Documents

Associated tender documents

Technical specifications to be met

Contracting authority

AVANTI SCHOOLS TRUST

• Companies House: 07506598
• Public Procurement Organisation Number: PQBB-1459-CZBV

Avanti Schools Trust Ltd

Stanmore

HA7 2EQ

United Kingdom

Telephone: 0116 326 6813

Email: procurement [at] avanti.org.uk

Website:

Region: UKI74 - Harrow and Hillingdon

Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government