schoolfeasibility.co.uk

School feasibility study procurement pack

Authored by Oliver Wakefield-Smith, Founder of Digital Signet. Working from RIBA Plan of Work 2020, RICS NRM1, BB103/BB104 and ESFA CIF 2026-27 rules.

A paste-ready ITT, an evaluation matrix, a governor agenda block, and a procurement timeline for a UK school feasibility study. Designed to drop into a trust governance pack with minimal editing.

ITT core block

A paste-ready ITT. Fill the bracketed fields, attach an Annex A with the funding route and project detail, and issue it under your standard procurement covering letter. The fee envelope from the calculator should sit in the covering letter, not in the ITT (so consultants quote against scope, not against budget). PPN PN 01/25

ITT - paste-ready core block
INVITATION TO TENDER
School feasibility study

1. Background
[Trust name] invites tenders for a multidisciplinary feasibility study supporting a [CIF / SRP / SCA / VAP / R&R] bid for [project description] at [school name and address].

2. Scope (RIBA Stage 0-2)
(a) Site survey package: topographical, measured, condition, R&D2 asbestos (HSG264), M&E adequacy.
(b) Options appraisal: do-nothing / repair-in-kind / refurbish / rebuild (Green Book aligned).
(c) Area schedule cross-checked against BB103 / BB104.
(d) Cost Plan A under RICS NRM1.
(e) Planning pre-application submission and feedback (where applicable).
(f) Programme to construction handover.
(g) Risk register on Orange Book principles.
(h) Governor pack and [funding-route] application-ready text.

3. Programme
Kick-off no later than [date]. Final deliverables no later than [date].

4. Fee
Submit a fixed fee against the scope above. Variations to be priced separately and agreed by the Trust in writing.

5. Evaluation
Tenders will be evaluated against the matrix below, weighted as shown.

6. Submission
Tenders to [email] by [date]. Format: PDF, maximum 20 sides A4 plus appendices.

Evaluation matrix

Score each tender 0-5 against each criterion; the weighted score determines ranking. PPN 06/20 social-value weighting is built in at 10%. Adjust weightings to suit your scheme; if you do, document the rationale in the ITT.

CriterionWeight %Notes
Quality of proposed approach25Clarity of method, scope coverage, RIBA stage mapping.
Relevant project experience15Three named comparator schemes within 24 months.
Team resource and CVs10Named individuals, day-rate transparency, chartered status.
Fee20Fixed fee against scope; variations to be priced separately.
Programme and method10Gantt against governor sign-off date.
Risk management10Top five risks identified with mitigations.
Social value10PPN 06/20 compliant, local employment commitment.
Total100

Governor agenda block

A governance-pack-ready agenda item to put the appointment in front of governors. The annex structure mirrors what the trust board needs to make the decision; the chair should not need to read the full feasibility brief to vote.

Governors' agenda item
GOVERNORS' AGENDA ITEM  -  FEASIBILITY STUDY APPOINTMENT

1. Purpose
To approve the appointment of [consultant] for the feasibility study supporting [project].

2. Recommendation
Governors approve the appointment of [consultant] for a fee of £[X] +VAT against the scope at Annex A, with delivery by [date].

3. Funding
The fee will be funded from [trust reserve / SCA / DfE allocation] pending [funding-route] outcome. CIF and VAP recoveries are post-award only.

4. Risks
Top risks documented in the risk register at Annex B (planning, asbestos, site access, funding outcome).

5. Reporting
Project board to receive fortnightly updates; chair to receive any material change to fee, scope or programme in writing.

ANNEXES
A: Scope of work (ITT scope clause)
B: Risk register
C: Programme Gantt
D: Cost Plan A summary

Procurement timeline

Standard timeline: advert two weeks, ITT three weeks, evaluation two weeks, appointment one week. Total seven to nine weeks from advert to kick-off. Procurement Act 2023 applies for above-threshold engagements; below-threshold trusts may follow their own standing financial instructions. Construction Playbook

Contract form

The RIBA Standard Professional Services Contract 2020 is the canonical instrument for an architect-led appointment. Multidisciplinary appointments may use the RIBA Multidisciplinary form or the trust's own template; either works provided liability caps, IP rights and termination clauses are properly negotiated. Construction Playbook

Last reviewed against CIF 2026-27 round, RIBA POW 2020 and BB103/BB104 on 24 June 2026.