Procurement description
LLDC is appointing a delivery partner (sole traders and SME-led small teams are encouraged to bid) to lead the operational delivery of ESS 2026. The role holds responsibility for turning the agreed programme into a safe, inclusive and well‐coordinated live experience, managing the full participant journey while working closely with:
a) LLDC – programme vision, partnerships, quality and impact
b) Badu (youth work provider) – pastoral care, SEND support and day‐to‐day safeguarding
The delivery partner acts as the single operational lead, coordinating systems, people, communications and delivery across the summer.
East Summer School (ESS) is a free, inclusive two‐week creative, cultural and STEAM education programme for young people aged 12–17, delivered annually at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. The programme comprises 25–30 short courses co‐delivered by East Bank institutions and wider Park partners, engaging approximately 350 young people each year from an expected 700+ applications. Participants are able to choose one course in Week 1 and one course in Week 2, allowing flexibility and depth of engagement.
ESS has a strong commitment to accessibility and participation for young people with SEND, Alternative Provision learners and those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Courses are age‐specific (12–14 and 15–17) to ensure appropriate pacing and content, and are designed to support confidence, skills development and progression into further learning, training and creative opportunities.
Allowance within the contract will be £170k but the committed spend is £23k.
This procurement will be conducted as a proportionate below-threshold competitive process for the appointment of the East Summer School 2026 Delivery Partner.
Stage 1: PQQ / Shortlisting Stage will assess the Delivery Partner’s availability, relevant experience, case study evidence and alignment with LLDC’s Priority Themes and Inclusive Growth objectives. The availability question will be assessed on a Pass / Fail basis. Only Delivery Partners who pass this requirement will have their scored PQQ responses evaluated.
The purpose of Stage 1 is to assess whether the Delivery Partner has the relevant availability, experience, case study evidence and alignment with LLDC’s Priority Themes to be invited to the Presentation / Final Tender Stage. Only Delivery Partners who pass the mandatory Pass / Fail requirement will have their scored PQQ responses evaluated.
LLDC will progress 2 bidders to the ITT (Presentation Stage). Authority could consider a 3rd bidder at their own discretion and evaluators availability, to invite to ITT Stage, subject to scoring above 60% and they are below 2% from the 2nd bidder.
Bidders are required to submit both stages responses in the end of PQQ Stage
Stage 2: Presentation / Final Tender Stage will be used to assess shortlisted Delivery Partners’ understanding of the requirement, proposed delivery approach, team allocation, SEND readiness, safeguarding and pricing. Pricing will comprise a fixed price for the core delivery requirement and day rates for any ad-hoc services.
The purpose of Stage 2 is to test the shortlisted Delivery Partners’ understanding of the requirement, proposed delivery approach, team allocation, SEND readiness, safeguarding and price.