Prior information notice
This notice is for prior information only
Section I: Contracting
authority
I.1) Name and addresses
Home Office
2 Marsham Street
London
SW1 4DF
UK
E-mail: GTVDigitalEB@homeoffice.gov.uk
NUTS: UK
Internet address(es)
Main address: www.gov.uk/home-office
I.2) Joint procurement
The contract is awarded by a central purchasing body
I.3) Communication
Additional information can be obtained from the abovementioned address
Electronic communication requires the use of tools and devices that are not generally available. Unrestricted and full direct access to these tools and devices is possible, free of charge, at:
https://homeoffice.app.jaggaer.com/web/login.html
I.4) Type of the contracting authority
Ministry or any other national or federal authority, including their regional or local subdivisions
I.5) Main activity
General public services
Section II: Object
II.1) Scope of the procurement
II.1.1) Title
Global Talent Visa – Digital Technology Endorsing Body Services
II.1.2) Main CPV code
72221000
II.1.3) Type of contract
Services
II.1.4) Short description
The Home Office plans to procure an Endorsing Body Service for persons applying through the Digital Technology route of the Global Talent Visa to assess their credibility for set criteria.
The Global Talent visa was introduced in February 2020 to replace the Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) visa and make the process smoother, efficient, and more attractive for exceptionally talented people to live and work in the UK.
The content of this PIN, including the nature of services and estimated value, may be subject to change.
II.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT:
7 500 000.00
GBP
II.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots:
No
II.2) Description
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
72222000
72222300
72223000
75110000
75112000
75130000
75131000
75131100
79130000
79132000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UK
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
Background Information
The Secretary of State for the Home Department as part of the Crown, acting through UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) (the “Home Office”), is procuring an Endorsing Body Service for the Digital Technology pathway of the Global Talent Visa.
UKVI is a department within the Home Office and has customers in the UK and outside of the UK who include but are not limited to:
• those seeking to extend permissions to work or study in the UK;
• those seeking to extend permissions to stay or settle with family in the UK;
• those progressing from earlier immigration permissions to British nationality
The UK has replaced freedom of movement with a comprehensive points-based immigration system that ensures we continue to be global leaders, supporting UK employers in taking advantage of the opportunities now open to them by recruiting the best and brightest global talent from around the world.
UKVI is responsible for making millions of decisions every year about who has the right to visit or stay in the country, with a firm emphasis on national security and a culture of customer satisfaction for people who come to the UK legally.
The Home Office’s vision is to have a world-leading immigration service working for a safe and prosperous UK. To that end, two key missions are to deliver world-class customer service and to control migration. The Buyer’s challenge is to transform services in a way that enhances customer experience and UK border security.
The Global Talent Visa is an enabler of this immigration policy. It was introduced in February 2020 to replace the Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) visa and make the process smoother, efficient, and more attractive for exceptionally talented people to live and work in the UK.
To qualify under the Global Talent Visa category, most applicants (excluding those that have prestigious prizes) need to be endorsed by a relevant Endorsing Body. The Endorsing Body is responsible for assessing whether an individual is internationally recognised as, or has demonstrated the potential to become, a leader in digital technology, for example in:
• financial technology (‘fintech’)
• gaming
• cyber security
• artificial intelligence
The Global Talent Visa application process requires individuals to make their endorsement application direct to the Home Office. This includes paying the fee and submitting information and evidence linked to their claim of exceptional talent or promise. The Home Office then send all relevant information to the Endorsing Body.
Although the endorsement application is submitted to the Home Office, the endorsing body carry out the assessment without involvement from the Home Office. If the endorsing body is satisfied that an individual is of sufficient calibre to receive endorsement, applicants are able to apply to the Home Office for a Global Talent Visa. The endorsing body is not involved in the visa part of the assessment.
Endorsing bodies also work with the Home Office to formulate, agree, publish and apply the criteria that applicants are required to meet to be considered as “exceptionally talented” or as demonstrating “exceptional promise” in the digital technology field. Due to the nature of the service, it is necessary for the Endorsing Body to be a leading expert in the Digital Technology industry.
Currently around 4,000 customers apply for endorsement per annum from across the UK and the rest of the world.
Additional information on the visa can be found here: Work in the UK as a leader in digital technology (Global Talent visa) : Overview – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
II.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice:
03/06/2024
Section IV: Procedure
IV.1) Description
IV.1.8) Information about Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement:
Yes
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.3) Additional information
Market Engagement
Prior to the procurement the Home Office will run a market testing exercise to seek valuable input from the market to understand supplier / market appetite, capacity and capability, along with an understanding of potential risks and opportunities.
UKVI are also seeking input from the market to establish the most attractive way of packaging and scoping the procurement for Digital Endorsing Body services that ensures the service is delivered by experts in the field with the highest levels of integrity and customer satisfaction.
The Home Office’s intention is to conduct an Open Procedure competition to identify a partner to fulfil this service. The intention is to run this process from summer of 2024, which may be subject to change.
Two rounds of market engagement will be conducted.
1st Round: Request For Information (RFI)
Following publication of the initial PIN, a first round of market engagement was undertaken. An RFI was issued requesting data and insight from the market to support this procurement with a response deadline of 8th January 2024. Participation was not a prerequisite to join the 2nd round.
2nd Round: RFI and Virtual Supplier Event
A second round of market engagement will be conducted consisting of a 2nd RFI questionnaire and virtual supplier event.
The RFI will focus on building a more detailed view of the market, along with the virtual supplier event which will seek to engage with prospective bidders and provide further information on the Global Talent visa process and commercial procedure.
To participate in the 2nd round of market engagement, participants will be required to sign and return a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA).
The RFI will be managed electronically via the Home Office’s eSourcing Portal (Jaggaer). To participate in this procurement, participants must first be registered on the eSourcing Portal and provide a contact name and email address to receive the RFI.
If you have not yet registered on the eSourcing Portal, this can be done online at https://homeoffice.app.jaggaer.com by following the link ‘To register click here’. Please note that, to register, you must have a valid DUNS number (as provided by Dun and Bradstreet) for the organisation which you are registering, who will be entering into a contract if invited to do so.
Once registered on the eSourcing Portal, a registered user can request access to the NDA by emailing GTVDigitalEB@homeoffice.gov.uk. Your email must clearly state the exact name that you used to register on Jaggaer. Once enabled by the Buyer you should receive a link to the NDA from Jaggaer.
Once an NDA is submitted you will be given access to complete the RFI on the Jaggaer portal and will be sent an invitation with instructions for the virtual supplier event.
We will endeavour to process requests to take part in the RFI and receive an NDA in two working days.
We will endeavour to process completed NDAs and allow access to the RFI in two working days.
For eSourcing Portal technical assistance please contact the Jaggaer Supplier Helpdesk at customersupport@jaggaer.com or 0800 069 8630 (0800 - 1800hrs).
Timetable
Dates and times may be updated, with any changes notified via the Jaggaer eSourcing Tool.
• PIN Publication - 07/12/23
• Suppliers registration on Jaggaer - 07/12/23
• Suppliers receive access to 1st RFI - Once registered
• 1st RFI Clarification Questions start - 07/12/23
• 1st RFI Final Clarification Questions to be received 12pm on - 04/01/24
• 1st RFI Target Final Q&A Log published - 05/01/24
• 1st RFI responses deadline 1700 GMT - 08/01/24
• Suppliers sign and return NDA from - 01/02/24
• Suppliers receive access to 2nd RFI - 07/02/24 or on NDA receipt
• Suppliers virtual supplier event registration by 12pm on - 09/02/24
• Virtual supplier event - 15/02/24
• 2nd RFI Final Clarification Questions to be received by 12pm on 19/02/24
• 2nd RFI Target Final Q&A Log published - 20/02/24
• 2nd RFI Responses deadline 1700 GMT - 22/02/24
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
01/02/2024