Invite to Tender 

Recruitment Agency Master Vendor Tender for Educational Setting

Overview

This Invitation to Tender (ITT) is issued by Pope Francis Catholic Multi Academy Trust (PFCMAT) for the selection of a Recruitment Agency Master Vendor to provide staffing services within an educational setting which includes both primary and secondary settings.

The selected vendor will be responsible for supplying temporary, fixed-term, and permanent education support staff in compliance with UK public procurement regulations.

Scope of Services

The Master Vendor will provide recruitment services for roles including, but not limited to: teachers, teaching assistants, administrative staff, IT support, maintenance and other non-teaching roles.

The vendor may use a supply chain of other agencies to meet staffing needs as required.

Interested providers should submit a tender that includes:

A. Company Information

• Organisation name, contact details, relevant accreditations
• Experience in working with MATs or similar education group

B. Proposed Service Model

• Outline of the supply model: master vendor, neutral vendor, hybrid or sole agency
• How you will manage fulfilment across multiple school sites
• Details of platform/tech (if applicable)

C. Recruitment & Vetting

• Candidate sourcing strategy
• Compliance & safeguarding processes
• DBS/Barred list checks, referencing procedures

D. Service Delivery

• SLAs and KPIs proposed
• Out-of-hours support
• Escalation procedure

E. Management & Reporting

• Account management structure
• MI/Reporting capabilities
• Strategies to reduce agency spend over time

 F. Pricing Model

• Breakdown of margins/fees
• Any discounts, rebates or loyalty schemes
• Fixed or variable pricing terms

The contract will be a 3-year contract with 2 one-year extensions.  Starting on the 1 January 2026. 

Note:  between contract award and contract start dates we will advise schools to work with the successful bidder for as much cover work as possible

Our Commitment to Compliance

The procurement process and contract award will comply with the Procurement Act 2023 and the Procurement Regulations 2024.  All bidders must adhere to the Department for Education (DfE) procurement guidance and a recognised UK Industry Framework, i.e. the Crown Commercial Service (CCS) RM6376 framework for Supply Teachers and Education Recruitment or Pagabo etc.

Safeguarding and Quality Assurance

All workers provided must undergo background screening and safeguarding checks in accordance with the Department for Education’s ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ standards.

Vendors must demonstrate robust safeguarding policies and procedures and be able to demonstrate effective training for all staff.

Selection Criteria

Bidders will be evaluated on the following criteria:

• - Compliance with legal and safeguarding requirements
• - Experience in educational recruitment
• - Capacity and capability to deliver services
• - Value for money and transparent pricing
• - Quality assurance and performance monitoring
• - Demonstration of your companies’ social value commitment

Evaluation Process

Tenders will be evaluated using a weighted scoring system. Technical and quality criteria will account for 60% of the score, and pricing will account for 40%.

Shortlisted bidders may be invited for presentation or interviews.

Submission Requirements

Please tell us by the 8^th September if you are going to submit a proposal by email to daniel.hennessy@pfcmat.org, by  4pm on that date.

Please submit any question in writing by the 15 September 2025 to daniel.hennessy@pfcmat.org.All answers will be circulated.

Please be advised that all tenders will be required electronically and be supported by delivery of a hard copy to Mr Daniel Hennessy CFOO: email daniel.hennessy@pfcmat.org,  postal address 2^nd Floor, Burlington House, Crosby L22 0PJ. (please ensure your posted bid is delivered in anonymised packaging)

The deadline for submission is 5pm on September 30^th 2025.

Those shortlisted will be invited to present against their bid to an audience including members of our Central team, Headteachers, School Business Manager, Data & Cover Managers.