This section links to information on the conduct of the procurement, including the competitive dialogue process.

The procurement of a Local Education Partnership is commenced by the issuing of a formal notice in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU). Potential bidders are then invited to submit a Pre-Qualification Questionnaire. The pre-qualification process will involve consideration of the economic and financial standing and the ability and technical capacity of bidders, with specific reference to partnering experience.

Those bidders who have pre-qualified are then invited to enter in to what is known as the competitive dialogue process. This involves entering in to discussions with bidders to develop solutions to the local authority and schools requirements for all aspects of BSF. This competitive dialogue ends with the selection of one bidder based on the detailed solutions provided.