National Centre of Computing Education and associated training and support programmes for computing

The Department for Education (DfE) intends to undertake a procurement exercise in Spring 2018 for a package of programmes in four Lots, comprising: 1. A National Centre of Computing Education - its role will include establishing a network providing support for teachers in primary and secondary schools, and facilitating links with industry; 2.

A training programme to upskill 8,000 existing secondary computing teachers to teach GCSE computer science effectively by 2022; 3. An A level support programme to support A level computer science students and teachers with high quality resources and CPD; and. 4.

A pilot programme to identify effective approaches to addressing gender balance in computing and increasing girls' participation in computer science qualifications. The DfE will undertake a second market engagement activity for interested providers to learn more about the requirements for these services.

The DfE will be seeking proposals from organisations or consortia to deliver these programmes. Proposals may cover one, some or all of the four Lots.

Additional information: The DfE will administer the procurement process electronically via the Bravo Solution portal. No hard copy documents will be issued; all communications with DfE (including final tender submission) will be conducted via the portal.

A second supplier event is planned for 8 March 2018 in London, for organisations to gain a better understanding of the DfE's requirements. This will also provide an opportunity for networking and possible consortia discussions.

Indicative dates: • Spring 2018 - invitation to tender issued; • Summer 2018 - contract awards. Bidders who are not already registered on the Bravo Solution portal can register here: https://education.bravosolution.co.uk/web/login/shtml For any assistance with the portal, bidders should contact the Bravo helpdesk: help@bravosolution.co.uk START AND END DATES OF THE CONTRACTS: Start Date: Summer 2018 TBC End Date: Planned as 31 July 2022 Please note that this PIN is not a call to competition and the DfE is not bound to enter into any procurement activity because of it. With procurement being dependent on ministerial priorities, funding for the National Centre of Computing Education and associated training and support programmes is subject to change at DfE's absolute discretion.