Invitation to Tender to join the Framework for Education - Alternative Education Provision (AP) in Herefordshire

Herefordshire Council is seeking to establish an Open Framework of suitably qualified providers to deliver alternative education for those children and young people for whom it has a statutory responsibility, who are without a school place; or where a maintained school or academy has been unable to fully provide an appropriate individualised education package. Alternative provision may also be put in place for students who are at the point of permanent exclusion, have been permanently excluded from school or signed off from school on medical grounds.

The Alternative Education Provision Framework will contain 3 Lots:

• Lot 1 - Education and engagement activities
• Lot 2 - Mentoring (face to face and/or online)
• Lot 3 - Tuition (face to face and/or online)

Providers are permitted to bid for one, two or three lots depending upon the service(s) they are able to offer. Contracts will be awarded to multiple providers under each Lot.

The contract will commence in March 2026 and will be in place for up to 7 years. In accordance with the PA 2023, the Council will re-open the Open Framework at least once before the third anniversary of the First Open Framework Commencement Date and at least once every five years thereafter.

The maximum total value of this framework is £20,000,000 (ex VAT) across all 3 Lots.

The procurement is being conducted in accordance with the open procedure under the Procurement Act 2023. It is being carried out under the Light Touch Regime (LTR) permissible under PA 2023, Section 9, and therefore applies the flexibilities afforded under above regulation.