Employability Support Programme C008/2025/2026 Market Engagement 2

Procurement reference

C008/2025/2026

Procurement description

This preliminary market engagement exercise is being run via the eTenderWales portal https://etenderwales.bravosolution.co.uk. The e-tender references for this Market Engagement number 2 are: itt_122357 project_60454 and should be read alongside this Preliminary Market Engagement Notice published on sell2wales: Sell2Wales notice ID 160117.

The Welsh Government is providing further information on the proposed procurement for the Employability Support Programme (ESP). This update builds on feedback received from stakeholders in response to the initial Preliminary Market Engagement 1 that included a Questionnaire and aims to clarify key aspects of the procurement. The purpose is to ensure transparency and support market readiness.

Following extensive dialogue with stakeholders across Wales, and in the interests of openness we have published the following information, at the links provided below:

• A summary of the early engagement to date, which has shaped the strategic design of employability support.

• A summary of the feedback received in the Preliminary Market Engagement 1 that included a Questionnaire and further information in response to that feedback.

• A directory of suppliers who have opted to share contact details, to enable suppliers to explore consortia and subcontracting partnerships ahead of the formal procurement process.

https://www.gov.wales/employability-support-programme-engagement-events

https://www.llyw.cymru/rhaglen-cymorth-cyflogadwyedd-digwyddiadau-ymgysylltu

• Preliminary Market Engagement Notice ID=154469 and ID=160117 published on sell2wales, available on the following:

Sell2Wales: Document Id:154469 Notice Id: OCT554758 OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-051d9c

The following sections set out the key components of this engagement:

1. Supporting subcontracting and consortia bids (a 60-minute online webinar has been arranged to take place on Friday 13 February 2026 starting at 11am. Event details, registration and joining instructions will be added to the market engagement documentation on eTenderWales once confirmed)

2. Lotting structure and allocation methodology

3. Initial and Additional Cohorts

4. Funding model, contract duration and estimated total Programme value

5. Key Tender requirements

6. Procurement timetable

7. Tender assessment approach

8. FAQs and a further opportunity to submit questions and seek clarification

Please note:

This engagement is for information only and does NOT form part of any tender process. Participation is voluntary and will not confer any advantage or disadvantage in any subsequent tender process. The following details are shared for market awareness purposes only.

The formal tender process has NOT started, and final arrangements may differ. We may amend requirements or information set out in this engagement, discontinue the process, or withdraw this engagement, or reissue it on the same or an alternative basis at any time.

Main category

Services

Delivery regions

• UKL - Wales

Total value (estimated)

680000000 GBP Excluding VAT

680000001 GBP Including VAT

Contract dates (estimated)

01 March 2027, 00:00AM to 31 March 2032, 23:59PM

Extension end date (if all the extensions are used): 31 March 2035

Llywodraeth Cymru / Welsh Government

Is this procurement under a special regime?

Light touch

Is the total value above threshold?

Above threshold

CPV classifications

• 80000000 - Education and training services

Delivery regions

• UKL - Wales

Sustainability

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)

Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)

Contract start date (estimated)

01 March 2027, 00:00AM

Contract end date (estimated)

31 March 2032, 23:59PM

Extension end date (estimated)

31 March 2035, 23:59PM

Can the contract be extended?

Yes

Engagement process description

https://etenderwales.bravosolution.co.uk- This preliminary market engagement exercise can be accessed from the eTenderWales portal, available at the following website:

https://etenderwales.bravosolution.co.uk. The e-tender references for this Market Engagement number 2 are: itt_122357 project_60454

NOTE: The authority is using eTenderwales to carry out this market engagement process. The first person from your Organisation to use the Platform will be required to register on behalf of the Organisation.- Registration involves accepting a User Agreement, and providing basic information about your Organisation and about the User performing the Registration.- The User who performs the Registration becomes the Super User for the Organisation.- On registering on the Platform the Super User will select a Username and will receive a password.- The Password will be sent by e-mail to the email address that was specified in the User Details section of the Registration page.- In order to log-in to the Platform please enter your Username and Password.- Note: If you forget your Password then visit the homepage and click “Forgot your password?”- Registration should only be performed once for each Organisation.- If you think that someone in your Organisation may have already registered on this Platform then you must not register again.- Please contact the person who Registered (i.e. the Super User) in order to arrange access to the Platform.- Contact the Helpdesk immediately if you are unable to contact the Super User (for example if they have left your Organisation).- Note: If your Organisation is already registered on the Platform then you must not make any additional registration. How To Find The Engagement Documentation :- Once logged in you must click on ‘PQQs/ITT’s Open to all Suppliers’- The e-tender references for this Engagement are: itt_122357 project_60454 - Employability Support Programme Market Engagement 2.- Click on the title to access summary details of the market engagement. If you are still interested in taking part in the pre-market engagement, click the ‘Express an Interest button’. This will move the PQQ/ITT market engagement from the ‘Open to all Suppliers’ area to the ‘My PQQ/ITT’s’ on the home page.- You will then see the full details of the market engagement and background information in the ‘Attachments’ area.- Should you have any questions on the documentation, clarification questions or feedback, please use the ‘Messages’ area to contact the buyer directly.

Due date

18 February 2026, 23:59PM

Has the engagement period already ended?

No

Publication date of tender notice (estimated)

16 March 2026