The Department for Education (DfE) has published its updated guidance for the Condition Improvement Fund (CIF) 2027/28, with applications now open and a submission deadline of 12 noon on 15th December 2026.
This year’s guidance introduces several important changes to the application process, including revised assessment criteria, greater emphasis on supporting evidence and, notably, new requirements surrounding the procurement and appointment of technical advisers.
What’s Changed for 2027/28?
Alongside the existing requirements to demonstrate project need, deliverability and value for money, the updated guidance introduces several key changes:
- Technical adviser procurement: Applicants must provide clear evidence of how their technical adviser was procured and appointed, including the selection process, evaluation methodology and demonstration of value for money.
- Revised scoring criteria: Project need now accounts for 55% of the available marks, project planning 20% and project cost 25%.
- Costed options appraisals: Applications must include a bespoke, costed appraisal demonstrating that alternative solutions have been considered and evaluated.
- Supporting documentation: New formatting and page limits apply, with greater emphasis on ensuring the application form itself contains all relevant project information.
Appointing a Technical Adviser – What do Schools Need to Know?
One of the most significant changes for 2027/28 is the increased scrutiny of technical adviser appointments.
Whilst appointing a technical adviser is not mandatory, schools and academy trusts choosing to use external professional support must demonstrate that the appointment has been undertaken through a compliant procurement process.
This includes providing evidence of:
- The procurement route and selection process followed.
- How potential advisers were evaluated and selected.
- The rationale for the appointment and how value for money was achieved.
- Compliance with the organisation’s procurement policy, the Academy Trust Handbook and applicable procurement legislation.
Importantly, these requirements apply regardless of the fee arrangement, including no-win-no-fee appointments.
The DfE has confirmed that failure to adequately evidence a compliant procurement process may result in an application being disqualified.
Can a Procurement Framework Provide A Solution?
Established public sector procurement frameworks can provide schools and academy trusts with a route to appointing suitably qualified technical advisers
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Whilst the explicit requirements set out in the 2027/28 guidance are new, the principles of compliant procurement, transparency and demonstrating value for money are not.
At Make Consulting, these principles have underpinned our approach to professional appointments for many years, including our work supporting schools and academy trusts through the CIF application process. We have consistently supported clients in accessing our services through established procurement frameworks, providing a structured and transparent route to appointment.
Make Consulting is appointed to several public sector frameworks, including ESPO and Bloom, through which eligible education clients can access our professional consultancy services.
Depending on the framework, appointments may be made through direct award or further competition, subject to the applicable call-off procedures and procurement requirements.
It is important that schools retain appropriate records of their appointment process and ensure that the scope of services covers both the preparation of the CIF application and subsequent project delivery, should funding be secured.
How Can Make Consulting Help?
Make Consulting has extensive experience supporting schools and academy trusts with the identification, development and delivery of CIF-funded projects.
Our multidisciplinary team provides building surveying, project management, quantity surveying and principal designer services, supporting clients from initial feasibility and application preparation through to project completion.
As part of our CIF application support, we also work with clients to ensure that the procurement and appointment of our services is appropriately evidenced within the application and supporting documentation, including details of the procurement route, appointment process and demonstration of value for money, in accordance with the updated DfE guidance.
Considering a CIF 2027/28 Application?
If you are reviewing your technical adviser arrangements or considering appointing professional support, our team would be pleased to discuss your requirements and the procurement routes available.
Explore how to appoint Make Consulting
Application deadline: 12 noon, 15th December 2026.