Nottingham City Council has published advance notice of the upcoming CPU7109 - Alternative Education Provision Framework. If your organisation delivers alternative education or specialist provision for young people who are not accessing mainstream schooling (including pupil referral units, AP academies, SEMH provision, or other alternative placements) this is a meaningful opportunity worth preparing for now. The framework will have a three-year term, and the council is giving providers early notice to register on the correct platforms before the formal tender is launched.
If you are considering bidding for this framework, Thornton & Lowe can quickly review your suitability. Contact us today to discuss your options.
Understanding the CPU7109 Alternative Education Provision Framework
This is a Planned Procurement Notice (PPN). As such, it is not a live tender and no submission is required at this stage. Its purpose is to alert the market and give providers time to register on the relevant procurement portals before the tender goes live. Specifically, providers need to register on:
- The Central Digital Platform (Find a Tender): mandatory under the Procurement Act 2023 for all bidders
- The East Midlands Procurement Portal (eastmidstenders.org): where the tender documents will be published and submissions made once live
Frameworks of this type are typically structured to serve young people who are unable to access mainstream education, including those with SEMH needs, SEND, school exclusion, or other barriers to engagement. Nottingham City Council will be looking for providers with proven experience in these settings, strong safeguarding cultures, and robust quality assurance. Our team has supported training and education providers bidding for local authority alternative provision frameworks; see our guide to framework agreements for background on the process.
Supplier Considerations and Next Steps
For UK-based alternative provision and education services organisations, this early notice gives you a rare planning advantage. Here is why this matters:
- Register now: Early registration on both portals is essential. Do not wait until the tender goes live. Registration delays can prevent you from accessing or submitting documentation in time.
- Define your USP: Reflect on what sets your provision apart for young people requiring alternative education: outcomes data, reintegration rates, specialist qualifications, or particular cohort expertise.
- Compliance readiness: Councils look for providers with strong safeguarding, SEND expertise, Ofsted readiness (where relevant), and demonstrable quality improvement. Begin assembling this evidence now, before the formal requirements are published.
- Value not yet stated: The contract value has not been published at this stage, meaning providers of varying sizes should consider whether to register interest.
Quick Facts
- Framework name: CPU7109 - Alternative Education Provision Framework
- Contracting authority: Nottingham City Council
- Estimated duration: 3 years
- Notice type: Planned Procurement Notice (not a live tender)
- Projected tender publication: 1 June 2026
- Contract value: Not stated
Key Dates
- PPN published: 20 April 2026
- Estimated tender publication: 1 June 2026
How to Prepare
- Register on procurement portals: Complete registration on both the Central Digital Platform and the East Midlands Procurement Portal as soon as possible. Full guidance is provided within the official notice.
- Monitor for updates: Set reminders to check the East Midlands Procurement Portal (CPU7109) from early June 2026 for the live tender notice and documentation.
- Tailor your offer: Evidence your track record in alternative education specifically for local authority contracts. Prepare references, case studies, and quality assurance documentation relevant to Nottingham's expectations.
Ready to take your first step? Thornton & Lowe's experts can help you review your credentials and shape a compelling, compliant response when the CPU7109 framework goes live. Contact our team for a pre-bid review and tailored support.
