The Department for Education is seeking to procure an organisation to manage, administer and deliver the matrix Standard, the Government’s quality standard for the provision of information, advice and guidance on learning and work. The contract will cover the delivery of a nationwide assessment and accreditation service for organisations seeking certification against the matrix Standard, including initial assessments, certification reviews and annual Continuous Improvement Checks (CICs). As at December 2025, approximately 1,380 organisations are accredited, with several hundred assessments and checks undertaken annually. The successful provider will be responsible for the effective end-to-end management of the Standard, including: delivery of assessment and accreditation services through a network of qualified independent practitioners management and maintenance of the matrix Standard website and associated digital services management of the practitioner register, including recruitment, training and ongoing professional development quality assurance of assessment and certification processes to ensure consistency and integrity of the Standard provision of management information and reporting to the Department promotion and marketing of the matrix Standard to increase awareness and uptake stakeholder engagement across a range of sectors The service must be delivered across England and may include wider UK coverage, with assessments undertaken through a range of delivery methods including on-site, remote and hybrid approaches. This will be a concession contract, with the service funded through fees charged to organisations for assessments and continuous improvement checks, and registration fees paid by practitioners.

Procurement Act 2023

Below threshold - open competition

Concession

Lot 1: Bids: 2 Lot 1: Final stage bids: 2 Lot 1: Sme final stage bids: 1 Lot 1: Vcse final stage bids: 0