HCC May 2026 - Preliminary Market Engagement (PME) for Skills Bootcamps

Procurement reference

PME 2026

Procurement description

The purpose of the Council’s Preliminary Market Engagement (PME) is to engage with organisations with relevant experience to help inform the future design of Skills Bootcamps provision in Hertfordshire.

This includes:

• Share and explore initial ideas relating to the intended outcomes and scope of Skills Bootcamp provision, without commitment from either the Council or participating organisations.

• Engage with the market to gain a better understanding of delivery challenges, employer needs, and the Council’s strategic objectives for Skills Bootcamps.

• Gather informal feedback to help shape the Council’s Skills Bootcamps delivery model, technical requirements, and commissioning approach.

• Understand current market capacity, innovation, and emerging trends in employer led training and rapid skills provision.

• Identify potential delivery approaches, sector specialisms, and models of employer engagement that could support successful outcomes for learners and employers.

This stage is intended to support open dialogue with the market and help shape future decisions. It does not form part of a formal procurement process.

The PME will comprise:

• Online Information Webinar: The Council will host an online webinar to provide an overview of the Skills Bootcamps programme, the proposed scope, and to answer questions. The webinar will take place online at 10am on 4th June 2026.

• Webinar registration: In order to register to attend, organisations are invited to complete and return the Supplier Questionnaire (see link in Appendix A) in accordance with the instructions provided. Completed questionnaires must be submitted by 28th May 2026, following which respondents will receive a Microsoft Teams invitation.

• Optional Follow up Engagement: Subject to the responses received, the Council may use information gathered through the Supplier Questionnaires and webinar to inform the next stages of engagement and the development of the commissioning approach.

For the avoidance of doubt, this stage of the project is not part of a formal procurement process, and the Council is not committing, at this stage, to carrying out such a process.

Participation or non-participation in this PME shall not prevent any supplier participating in a potential procurement process; nor is it intended that any information supplied shall place any supplier at an advantage in any forthcoming procurement process.

To access this opportunity please visit https://in-tendhost.co.uk/supplyhertfordshire/aspx/Home.

Main category

Services

Contract dates (estimated)

02 November 2026, 00:00AM to 01 November 2027, 23:59PM

Extension end date (if all the extensions are used): 01 November 2028

Is a framework being established?

Yes

Hertfordshire County Council

Is this procurement under a special regime?

Light touch

CPV classifications

• 80000000 - Education and training services
• 80210000 - Technical and vocational secondary education services
• 80500000 - Training services
• 80510000 - Specialist training services
• 80521000 - Training programme services
• 80530000 - Vocational training services
• 80570000 - Personal development training services

Sustainability

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)

Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)

Contract start date (estimated)

02 November 2026, 00:00AM

Contract end date (estimated)

01 November 2027, 23:59PM

Extension end date (estimated)

01 November 2028, 23:59PM

Can the contract be extended?

Yes

Engagement process description

The PME will comprise:

• Online Information Webinar: The Council will host an online webinar to provide an overview of the Skills Bootcamps programme, the proposed scope, and to answer questions. The webinar will take place online at 10am on 4th June 2026.

• Webinar registration: In order to register to attend, organisations are invited to complete and return the Supplier Questionnaire (see link in Appendix A) in accordance with the instructions provided. Completed questionnaires must be submitted by 28th May 2026, following which respondents will receive a Microsoft Teams invitation.

• Optional Follow up Engagement: Subject to the responses received, the Council may use information gathered through the Supplier Questionnaires and webinar to inform the next stages of engagement and the development of the commissioning approach.

For the avoidance of doubt, this stage of the project is not part of a formal procurement process, and the Council is not committing, at this stage, to carrying out such a process.

Participation or non-participation in this PME shall not prevent any supplier participating in a potential procurement process; nor is it intended that any information supplied shall place any supplier at an advantage in any forthcoming procurement process.

Supplier Collaboration Questionnaire or follow the QR code provided.

Completing the Supplier Questionnaire (via MS forms link)

Please answer all questions as fully as possible and within each response area provided. Any questions which you feel are not relevant; please enter “Not Applicable”. Company brochures or other general marketing information should not be attached in addition to this.

Any supporting documents must be cross-referenced to the relevant question. If the Council requires further information concerning your response, your organisation will be contacted. However, please provide full details and answer all questions, as the Council reserves the right not to ask organisations for any further information.

Due date

28 May 2026, 23:59PM

Has the engagement period already ended?

No

Publication date of tender notice (estimated)

01 July 2026