Accredited learning programmes across the policy profession
Estimated value
£12.5m
Awarded value
—
Suppliers
0
Lots
1
Published
04 Feb 2026
This is a preliminary market engagement notice
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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. Building the capability of policy makers will mean they are able to 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 institutions to develop and deliver, from September 2027, a range of accredited programmes at postgraduate level that build the skills and capabilities of UK civil servants in line with the Policy Profession Standards. We are aiming to procure three separate programmes, including a full masters for Civil Servants who would be considered policy experts (aligning to Level 3 of the Policy Profession Standards), a modular programme of post-graduate courses for practitioners (aligning to Level 2 of the Policy Profession Standards), and a tailored post-graduate award for Fast Streamers on the Government Policy Fast Stream (aligned to Level 1 of the Policy Profession Standards). Please note, this notice is not being used to signify the commencement of any competitive process and does not constitute any commitment by the Department for Education. The Department for Education will hold this contract, however the programmes must be accessible to all civil service departments, including Civil Service Fast Streamers on the Policy Fast Stream, who are employed by Cabinet Office. Funding estimates included within this notice are based off 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.
Scope
- Reference
- ocds-h6vhtk-059e28
- Total value
- £12,500,000 excluding VATAbove the relevant threshold
- Commercial tool
- Standalone contract
- Contract dates
- 31 Aug 2026 to 31 Aug 2032
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.
- Main category
- services
- CPV classifications
- 80300000
- Particular suitability
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
Award criteria
Criteria the buyer will use to evaluate bids.
| Name | Description | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quality Criteria (including social value) | 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 | quality | 70.00% |
| Course pricing | Bidders are required to provide a per-learner fee for the Expert level 180 Credit Master’s qualification | price | 30.00% |
Participation
Conditions suppliers must meet to bid.
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.
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