Decision details

The current Education Division (the ‘Division’) Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) (previously known as the Standards and Learning Effectiveness Service (SLES) DPS) ends on 30 September 2024. The DPS enables the procurement of services from external providers to support the Divisions’ objective of driving improvements in East Sussex schools, academies, colleges, and other educational settings.
The Division is seeking to set up an Education Services Approved List of Suppliers (‘ESAL’) from April 2024 to replace the DPS. The proposed new ESAL will offer a more streamlined, adaptable, consistent and compliant means for the Education Division to procure the required services.
The ESAL would start earlier than the current DPS ends to allow time for providers to apply and be accepted onto the Approved List. This will ensure call-off contracts can continue to be made whilst the new Approved List is being established and will ensure there is no break in service delivery and services start at an appropriate time.

1.Approve the establishment of the Education Services Approved List; and
2.Delegate authority to the application evaluation panel to approve the appointment of providers onto the Approved List.

The option to extend the current DPS was considered. The changes the Division wish to make would require a modification to the existing DPS but are likely to be ‘significant’ for the purposes of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and therefore unlawful. Consequently, it is more appropriate not to extend the existing arrangements which are no longer fit for purpose, and to re-procure an alternative commissioning tool instead.