Contract notice
Section I: Contracting
authority
I.1) Name and addresses
Department for Education on behalf of itself and the Secretary of State for Education
Sanctuary Buildings, 20, Great Smith Street
London
SW1P 3BT
UK
E-mail: NPQ.Procurement@education.gov.uk
NUTS: UK
Internet address(es)
Main address: https://education.app.jaggaer.com/
I.3) Communication
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge at:
https://education.app.jaggaer.com/
Additional information can be obtained from the abovementioned address
Tenders or requests to participate must be sent electronically to:
https://education.app.jaggaer.com/
Tenders or requests to participate must be sent to the abovementioned address
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
Education
Section II: Object
II.1) Scope of the procurement
II.1.1) Title
National Professional Qualifications Delivery Framework
II.1.2) Main CPV code
80000000
II.1.3) Type of contract
Services
II.1.4) Short description
The Department for Education (DfE) is procuring a multi-supplier framework by means of an open procurement process, for a 4-year term, for the provision of National Professional Qualifications (NPQs) for teachers. As set out in VI.3) the procurement is covered by regulations 74-76 (Light Touch Regime).
Both the DfE and schools (as detailed in VI.3) and the procurement documents) will be able to make call-offs under the framework.
Providers appointed to the framework will lead the delivery of NPQs from September 2021. Providers will do this by providing schools and teachers with access to the reformed suite of NPQs which includes a NPQH additional support offer for new head teachers. Curriculum content designed by providers must cover all the knowledge and skills included the https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-professional-qualifications-frameworks-from-september-2021
II.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots:
No
II.2) Description
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UK
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
It is anticipated that DfE will appoint successful providers to a national framework agreement. Under the terms of the framework agreement, the DfE and schools will be permitted to make specific purchases (Call-Offs) from providers within a 4-year term. The number of providers appointed to the framework is not limited but in order to be appointed potential providers must pass a quality threshold, as set out in the procurement documents.
It is anticipated that the framework agreement will commence in April 2021 with set up call-offs awarded shortly thereafter.
Successful providers that are awarded a set up call-off will need to design their curriculum content and establish their delivery model in readiness for cohorts starting in September 2021 and February 2022.
The DfE recognises that providers may need to build their capacity and delivery partnerships over the term of the framework agreement. Therefore, DfE is proposing to create flexibility for providers to add new delivery partners once they are appointed to the Framework.
To encourage the formation of initial delivery partnerships, the DfE intends to host networking events with successful providers and potential delivery partners w/c 12 April 2021. Further details on these events will be provided in due course.
The full details of the service requirements are set out in the procurement documents.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Criteria below:
Quality criterion: Quality
/ Weighting: 80
Cost criterion: Price
/ Weighting: 20
II.2.6) Estimated value
Value excluding VAT:
115 000 000.00
GBP
II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months: 48
This contract is subject to renewal: No
II.2.9) Information about the limits on the number of candidates to be invited
II.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted:
No
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
No
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
Section III: Legal, economic, financial and technical information
III.1) Conditions for participation
III.1.2) Economic and financial standing
Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents
III.1.3) Technical and professional ability
Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents
III.2) Conditions related to the contract
Section IV: Procedure
IV.1) Description
IV.1.1) Type of procedure
Open procedure
IV.1.3) Information about a framework agreement or a dynamic purchasing system
The procurement involves the establishment of a framework agreement with several operators.
IV.1.8) Information about Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement:
Yes
IV.2) Administrative information
IV.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate
Date:
21/12/2020
Local time: 12:00
IV.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted
EN
IV.2.6) Minimum time frame during which the tenderer must maintain the tender
Tender must be valid until:
20/06/2021
IV.2.7) Conditions for opening of tenders
Date:
21/12/2020
Local time: 12:00
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.1) Information about recurrence
This is a recurrent procurement:
No
VI.3) Additional information
The Public Contracts Regulations 2015 apply to this procurement (the ‘Regulations’). The authority is using the open procedure in accordance with Regulation 27 of the Regulations. Services of the nature of those covered by this procurement are designated as ‘Schedule 3’ services (the Social and Other Specific Services) under the Regulations and as such are not subject to the full requirements of the Regulations. The authority is only bound by the application of the Regulations to the extent that they are applicable to Schedule 3 services. The procurement is covered by Regulations 74 to 76 (the Light Touch Regime).
Educational establishments that meet with the criteria listed below will be entitled (but not obliged) to access the framework at any time during the contract period:
— academy 16 to 19 sponsor led;
— academy 16-19 converter;
— academy alternative provision converter;
— academy alternative provision sponsor led;
— academy converter;
— academy special converter;
— academy special sponsor led;
— academy sponsor led;
— city technology college;
— community school;
— community special school;
— foundation school;
— foundation special school;
— free schools;
— free schools 16 to 19;
— free schools alternative provision;
— free schools special;
— local authority nursery school;
— non-maintained special school;
— pupil referral unit;
— studio schools;
— university technical college;
— voluntary aided school;
— voluntary controlled school;
— British schools overseas;
— Higher education institutions;
— Independent schools;
— Welsh establishment;
— miscellaneous;
— offshore schools;
— secure units;
— other independent school;
— other independent special school;
— service children’s education;
— sixth form centres;
— special post 16 institution;
— further education/further education and sixth form colleges which receive state funding for 16-19 education from the ESFA;
— institution funded by other Government Department;
— other international schools.*
*As defined by schools overseas which do not fit into other categories above.
The current list of educational establishments that meet with one or more of the criteria listed above can be found at: https://www.get-information-schools.service.gov.uk/
VI.4) Procedures for review
VI.4.1) Review body
High Court
Royal Court of Justices, the Strand
London
UK
VI.4.3) Review procedure
Precise information on deadline(s) for review procedures:
The DfE will incorporate a voluntary minimum 10 calendar days standstill period at the point that information on the award of the contracts is communicated to potential providers. Unsuccessful potential providers shall be informed by the contracting authority as soon as possible after the decision has been made. If any complaint regarding the award of the contract has not been successfully resolved, the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (SI 2015 No 102) provide for aggrieved parties who have been harmed or are at risk of harm by the breach of the rules to take legal action. Any such action must be brought within the applicable limitation period. Where a contract has not been entered into, the Court may order the setting aside of the award decision or order the DfE to amend any document and may award damages. If the contract has been entered into the Court may, depending on the circumstances, award damages, make a declaration of ineffectiveness, order the DfE to pay a fine, and/or order that the duration of the contract is shortened. The purpose of the standstill period referred to above is to allow the parties to apply to the Courts to set aside the award decision before the contract is entered into.
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
06/11/2020