Evaluation Framework for the South Australian Aboriginal Early Childhood Strategy

Overview The Office for Early Childhood Development (OECD) is seeking a qualified and experienced South Australian Aboriginal business supplier to develop an Evaluation Framework for the South Australian Aboriginal Early Childhood Strategy. About The South Australian Aboriginal Early Childhood Strategy (the Strategy) was launched on 20 July 2026 in response to the recommendations of the 2023 Royal Commission into Early Childhood Education and Care. Led by the OECD, the Strategy ensures that the universal rollout of 3-year-old preschool from 2026 empowers Aboriginal children and their families. Purpose The Strategy is complex, comprising multiple cross-cutting long-term initiatives with distinct aims and objectives. This complexity requires a carefully considered and clearly articulated approach to measuring the Strategy's impact over time, including what will be evaluated, how success will be measured, and when evaluation activities will occur. Scope The scope includes: Development of an Evaluation Framework that provides comprehensive guidance on how to assess the Strategy's impact, developed with evaluative rigour and grounded in the principles of Aboriginal leadership and self-determination Delivery of the Framework over a 6-month engagement to establish a strategic, cross-program approach to evaluation Grounding the Framework in Aboriginal ways of knowing, being and doing, alongside Western evaluation approaches applied in a complementary manner Developing the Framework through a co-design approach with the Aboriginal Co-design Governance Group (ACGG), the OECD Aboriginal Leadership Committee and relevant stakeholders to embed Aboriginal governance and voice throughout the framework's design Establishing core principles, parameters and outcomes at a whole-of-strategy level to guide program-level evaluation Providing guidance on timing, methodologies, key themes and questions across initiatives as a cohesive package, rather than at an individual program level, defining what will be evaluated, how, and when Contractor Requirements At least 51% of the work must be contracted to, and undertaken by, an Aboriginal-owned organisation Suppliers lacking the necessary evaluation experience are strongly encouraged to form partnerships with an academic institution or an organisation with relevant expertise, who can contribute up to 49% of the work Tender Briefing An Industry Briefing for the South Australian Aboriginal Early Childhood Strategy Evaluation Framework will be held. Date and Time: 3:00 pm, 28 September 2026 Format: Virtual briefing (via Teams) Please email OECD.Procurement@sa.gov.au to register. Registrations close 24 hours before the briefing is due to occur. Enquiries Robb Davis: robb.davis@sa.gov.au