The Department for Education has now published the Pre-Procurement Questionnaire (PPQ) for the new Management Information Systems for the English Schools & Data Spine framework, providing suppliers with further detail on the proposed procurement and an opportunity to help shape the next stage of the process.
PQQ Description
Preliminary Market Engagement (PME) is being undertaken to refine DfE’s requirements as it looks to establish a route to market for schools under the Procurement Act 2023 for management information systems (MIS) that enables them to analyse, use and report on key data with a focus on interoperability.
It is currently anticipated that this will be in the form of an open framework as defined in the Procurement Act 2023.
As part of the PME, DfE is keen to work with MIS suppliers in England to explore how we can harness the potential of data to provide new and valuable insights to share with schools, academy trusts, and local authorities in England to improve outcomes for children and young people, parents and carers.
This particular initiative has been branded the Data spine and was referenced in the Schools White Paper published in February 2026. It is anticipated that outcomes of this initiative will be included within the remit of aforementioned route to market.
Further information on the link between the MIS route to market project and the Data spine will be shared as part of the engagement process, starting with the market engagement webinar which we covered earlier this month:
https://www.whichmis.com/dfe-mis-framework-briefing-more-detail-greater-clarity-but-many-questions-still-remain/
By fully engaging in this process, including the Data spine initiative, organisations have the opportunity to feed into the design of the proposed MIS route to market and ensure it is cognizant of market capabilities.
This PME doesn’t signify the commencement of any procurement process and does not constitute any commitment by Department for Education (DfE). If DfE decides to commence any procurement process subject to the Procurement Act 2023 as contemplated by this notice, a separate notice(s) will be published at the relevant time.
The Closing date is 30/09/2026 @ 12:00
The link to the DfE procurement site is:
Changing your MIS is both a complex procurement process and also a full change management project and expert advice from the very beginning can ensure that your procurement goes smoothly and compliantly without the burden of additional work for your staff. Why not arrange a free advice session to understand your procurement options, the things you need to consider and the best way to manage the change.
is an independent service that supports schools, trusts, and local authorities in making informed decisions when selecting a Management Information System (MIS).
Drawing on extensive experience and sector insight, WhichMIS? offers impartial advice, practical resources, and up-to-date market intelligence to help education providers find the right system to meet their needs—whether they’re reviewing their current solution or going out to tender.
Our aim is simple: to empower schools to make confident, well-informed MIS choices that support their strategic and operational goals.
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