Department for Education has published a procurement opportunity for rcc and fostering hubs delivery partner planned procurement notice with an estimated value of £5,000,000. The submission deadline is 12 June 2026, giving eligible UK suppliers a limited window to prepare and submit bids through the official Find a Tender portal.

Published on 2026-04-08, this contract is open to suitably qualified suppliers across the United Kingdom. All businesses interested in bidding should review the full tender documentation and confirm they meet all eligibility requirements before the closing date.

Contract overview

Planned Procurement notice – Regional Care Cooperatives and Fostering Recruitment & Retention Programme The Department for Education intends to procure a Delivery Partner to support the establishment and early operation of up to six new Regional Care Cooperatives (RCCs) and to deliver the expanded Fostering Recruitment and Retention Programme. This contract is intended to run from July 2026 to 31 March 2028 (final timelines will be set out in the tendering documentation), with activity delivered across England through a mix of virtual and in person engagement. This notice is being issued to inform the market of the forthcoming opportunity and of preliminary market engagement; a full contract notice and information regarding engagement with the market will follow. Regional Care Cooperatives Every child deserves safe, high-quality care close to home. Regional care cooperatives (RCCs) will help make this a reality by transforming the approach local areas take to commissioning and providing homes for children in care. Further background on RCCs and the policy intent behind this reform can be found here: Regional care cooperatives policy statement - GOV.UK The Delivery Partner will provide structured coaching, facilitation, and technical expertise to support regions through the RCC staged progression model—Foundation and Development—so that they are prepared to transition into Delivery, as set out in the RCC Design Specification Guidance here https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-to-set-up-a-regional-care-cooperative. This will include support for: • diagnostics, planning and governance • co design and development of sufficiency strategies • market shaping approaches • adoption of the national common data model • establishment of core regional functions for sustainable forecasting and commissioning As part of its market engagement activity, the Department is also seeking to understand the breadth of legal and commercial expertise available to support RCCs. This includes sup

Department for Education is the contracting authority for this procurement. The estimated contract value is £5,000,000 and the submission deadline is 12 June 2026. Suppliers should download the full specification from the official portal before preparing a bid.

Is your business eligible?

This contract is most relevant to businesses with relevant experience and qualifications. Suppliers typically need to demonstrate experience delivering similar contracts, appropriate financial standing for a contract of £5,000,000, and hold relevant professional certifications and insurance.

Under the Procurement Act 2023, Department for Education must actively consider SME participation. Check whether this contract has been structured into lots accessible to smaller businesses.

• Proven track record in professional services contracts of comparable scope
• Financial standing appropriate for a £5,000,000 contract
• Relevant certifications: relevant professional certifications and insurance
• Capacity to mobilise within Department for Education’s required timeframe
• Ability to meet the 12 June 2026 submission deadline

How to submit a bid

• Step 1 — Access the notice: Visit Find a Tender at https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/032088-2026
• Step 2 — Register free: Create or log in to your supplier account
• Step 3 — Download documents: Read the full ITT before preparing your response
• Step 4 — Raise clarifications: Submit questions early — Q&A typically closes 1–2 weeks before the deadline
• Step 5 — Submit before 12 June 2026: Late submissions are not accepted under UK procurement rules

What the buyer will evaluate

Department for Education will assess all compliant bids against published criteria. For professional services contracts, buyers typically apply a 60% quality and 40% price weighting. Under the Procurement Act 2023, social value is a mandatory evaluation criterion — demonstrate specific, costed commitments to local employment, skills, or environmental sustainability.

Writing a winning bid

The most common reason bids fail is generic content that does not address the buyer’s specific requirements. Department for Education has stated precise objectives — your bid must demonstrate you have read and understood them.

• Lead with an executive summary addressing Department for Education’s objectives directly
• Provide two or more case studies with measurable outcomes
• Include specific, costed social value commitments
• Price to win but ensure your margin covers full delivery
• Submit at least 24 hours before 12 June 2026

Key dates and next steps

The submission deadline is 12 June 2026. Competitive bids for professional services contracts require two to three weeks of preparation. Following submission, Department for Education will typically complete evaluation within four to eight weeks.

• Download all documents from Find a Tender today
• Confirm your organisation meets all eligibility requirements
• Assign a bid lead and set internal milestones now
• Submit clarification questions as early as possible

Frequently asked questions

Can SMEs bid for this contract?

Yes. The Procurement Act 2023 requires Department for Education to consider SME suitability and remove unnecessary barriers. Check for lots designed to be accessible to smaller businesses.

Is registration on the portal free?

Yes. Registering as a supplier on Find a Tender is completely free.

What happens if I miss the deadline?

Late submissions are not accepted. The 12 June 2026 deadline is absolute. Submit at least 24 hours early.

How long does evaluation take?

Department for Education will notify all bidders once evaluation is complete. Allow four to eight weeks from the submission deadline.

Where are the full tender documents?

All documents are on the official Find a Tender listing at https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/032088-2026. Always use the official source.

This article is for informational purposes only. Always verify all details on the official procurement portal before submitting a bid. Kael Tripton is not affiliated with or endorsed by Department for Education or the UK government.