Tender: Independent Evaluation and Learning Partner for MBacc Award – Greater Manchester Combined Authority

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Greater Manchester Combined Authority is seeking a supplier for an independent Evaluation and Learning Partner to undertake preliminary market engagement for a potential future appointment to evaluate the MBacc Award. The partner would evaluate the programme’s implementation, effectiveness, inclusivity and early outcomes through engagement with young people, schools, colleges, employers and other stakeholders, deliver a proportionate mixed-method evaluation, provide timely learning to inform programme development, and produce interim and final evaluation reports, with appropriate consideration of disadvantaged learners including young people with special educational needs and disabilities and those in alternative provision. GMCA requests supplier feedback on proposed scope and methodology, deliverability and timescales, data and research requirements, market capacity, commercial considerations and the potential procurement approach, with a specific request for indicative costs, key pricing assumptions and principal cost drivers; suppliers should review the attached Request for Information and embedded draft specification. Deadline for clarification questions is 5pm Monday 26th October 2026 (clarifications to [email protected]) and deadline for market engagement responses is 5pm Friday 30th October 2026; this engagement is not a formal procurement, does not commit GMCA to procure or contract, and any information provided is indicative and may be subject to change.