Mandarin Excellence Programme

The purpose of this Prior Information Notice (PIN) is to notify the market of a forthcoming opportunity to bid for the next Mandarin Excellence Programme (MEP) due to commence in September 2021.

China is a country of strategic importance to the UK. Education plays a key role in developing that wider relationship with important economic, educational and diplomatic benefits. The Government firmly believes that learning other languages is important in our globalised economy, as well as helping pupils to prepare for life in modern Britain.

In 2015 the Department announced its intention to provide funding for at least 5,000 pupils to be taught Mandarin in schools in England. The Department is now looking to build upon the success of this initial pioneering programme. We aim to re-procure this programme to continue from September 2021, subject to internal approval.

Our intention for the scope of the re-procured MEP would be to continue delivery of Mandarin fluency with a minimum recruitment and retention of 1,800 Year 7 pupils commencing and continuing study annually from September 2021 to September 2024. It will also maintain up to 20 PGCE Mandarin teachers.

The Department is seeking a lead provider or consortia or similar entity to deliver the programme according to academic years, which will include, but is not limited to the following objectives:

- support the diverse geographical location of the schools (where necessary) to ensure the development of teaching and learning of Mandarin Chinese in schools across the country;

- ensure school-led development of the programme, translating centralised guidance and support into local practice;

- provide a framework for the sustainability of Mandarin Chinese in England beyond the life of the programme;

- ensure experienced MEP schools act as hub leaders to implement successfully the step-up of teaching required within the life of the programme, and to be able to lead confidently additional new schools in following years.

- build upon the successes of work delivered to date by the current contract holders.

Indicative Dates for Procurement:

We intend to publish the Invitation to Tender in late February- early March 2021 subject to internal approval. Contract award will take place around May 2021 with contract commencement in September 2021. Further detailed information on the procurement process will be provided in the Invitation to Tender documents.

The procurement process will fall under the Light Touch Regime as defined by the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (Regulation 74 - 77). The Department is managing this Procurement based upon the 'Open' tendering procedure as defined by the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (Regulation 27).

Additional information: This notice is a zero value PIN notice to announce a potential opportunity for an anticipated three year contract with a potential extension year subject to funding and performance. It is for information only and is not a call for competition. The Department reserves the right not to enter a formal procurement process and not proceed with contract award. Accordingly, the Department will not be liable for any bid cost, expenditure, work or effort incurred by any organisation in acting on the basis of this Prior Information Notice.

All information included in this notice is indicative and subject to change.