Opportunity

National Careers Service - Community Based Contracts

  • Education & Skills Funding Agency

F02: Contract notice

Notice reference: 2022/S 000-000133

Published 4 January 2022, 10:45pm



Section one: Contracting authority

one.1) Name and addresses

Education & Skills Funding Agency

Sanctuary Buildings, 20, Great Smith Street

London

SW1P 3BT

Email

NationalCareersService.REPROCUREMENT@education.gov.uk

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code

UK - United Kingdom

Internet address(es)

Main address

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-education

one.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 above-mentioned address

Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted electronically via

https://education.app.jaggaer.com

Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted to the above-mentioned address

one.4) Type of the contracting authority

Body governed by public law

one.5) Main activity

Education


Section two: Object

two.1) Scope of the procurement

two.1.1) Title

National Careers Service - Community Based Contracts

two.1.2) Main CPV code

  • 79634000 - Career guidance services

two.1.3) Type of contract

Services

two.1.4) Short description

The Education and Skills Funding Agency are seeking to procure 9 contracts for the delivery of the National Careers Service - Community Based Service in the 9 regions of England. The ESFA are seeking Prime Contractors who are able to deliver high quality independent careers information, advice and guidance to National Careers Service customers.

The National Careers Service provides free careers information, advice and guidance to both young people (from the age of 13) and adults through a website, webchat and telephone helpline. The Service, delivered by local community-based careers advisers, can be accessed face to face, by telephone, webchat and online. Young people aged 13 and over can access ongoing in-depth information, advice and guidance from the service via telephone, webchat or the National Careers Service website. Face to face careers information and advice in the community is available to Adults aged 19 and over 18 if Not in Employment Education or Training (NEET).

Further information is set out in the procurement documents. The overall aggregated contract value of all 9 contracts may vary but will not exceed the value indicated at section II.1.5 of this notice. The contract values for each lot may vary but will not exceed the value indicated at section II.2.6 in respect of each lot.

two.1.5) Estimated total value

Value excluding VAT: £186,240,000

two.1.6) Information about lots

This contract is divided into lots: Yes

Tenders may be submitted for all lots

Maximum number of lots that may be awarded to one tenderer: 2

two.2) Description

two.2.1) Title

National Careers Service - Community Based Service - East Midlands

Lot No

1 - East Midlands

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 79634000 - Career guidance services

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UKF - East Midlands (England)

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

The Education and Skills Funding Agency are seeking to procure 9 contracts for the delivery of the National Careers Service - Community Based Service in the 9 regions of England. The ESFA are seeking Prime Contractors who are able to deliver high quality independent careers information, advice and guidance to National Careers Service customers.

The National Careers Service provides free careers information, advice and guidance to both young people (from the age of 13) and adults through a website, webchat and telephone helpline. The Service, delivered by local community-based careers advisers, can be accessed face to face, by telephone, webchat and online. Young people aged 13 and over can access ongoing in-depth information, advice and guidance from the service via telephone, webchat or the National Careers Service website. Face to face careers information and advice in the community is available to Adults aged 19 and over 18 if Not in Employment Education or Training (NEET).

This contract is for delivery of the community based service in the East Midlands Area.

two.2.5) Award criteria

Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents

two.2.6) Estimated value

Value excluding VAT: £14,648,388

two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system

End date

30 September 2024

This contract is subject to renewal

No

two.2.10) Information about variants

Variants will be accepted: No

two.2.11) Information about options

Options: Yes

Description of options

The contract is for a 2 year term and there will be two options to extend the contracts by up to 12 months each (2+1+1).

two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds

The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No

two.2.14) Additional information

The contract values for each lot will not exceed the value indicated at section II.2.6 in respect of each lot.

two.2) Description

two.2.1) Title

National Careers Service - Community Based Service - East of England

Lot No

2 - East of England

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 79634000 - Career guidance services

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UKH - East of England

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

The Education and Skills Funding Agency are seeking to procure 9 contracts for the delivery of the National Careers Service - Community Based Service in the 9 regions of England. The ESFA are seeking Prime Contractors who are able to deliver high quality independent careers information, advice and guidance to National Careers Service customers.

The National Careers Service provides free careers information, advice and guidance to both young people (from the age of 13) and adults through a website, webchat and telephone helpline. The Service, delivered by local community-based careers advisers, can be accessed face to face, by telephone, webchat and online. Young people aged 13 and over can access ongoing in-depth information, advice and guidance from the service via telephone, webchat or the National Careers Service website. Face to face careers information and advice in the community is available to Adults aged 19 and over 18 if Not in Employment Education or Training (NEET).

This contract is for the delivery of the community based service in the East of England area.

two.2.5) Award criteria

Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents

two.2.6) Estimated value

Value excluding VAT: £13,191,588

two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system

End date

30 September 2024

This contract is subject to renewal

No

two.2.10) Information about variants

Variants will be accepted: No

two.2.11) Information about options

Options: Yes

Description of options

The contract is for a 2 year term and there will be two options to extend the contracts by up to 12 months each (2+1+1).

two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds

The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No

two.2.14) Additional information

The contract values for each lot will not exceed the value indicated at section II.2.6 in respect of each lot.

two.2) Description

two.2.1) Title

National Careers Service - Community Based Service - London

Lot No

3 - London

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 79634000 - Career guidance services

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UKI - London

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

The Education and Skills Funding Agency are seeking to procure 9 contracts for the delivery of the National Careers Service - Community Based Service in the 9 regions of England. The ESFA are seeking Prime Contractors who are able to deliver high quality independent careers information, advice and guidance to National Careers Service customers.

The National Careers Service provides free careers information, advice and guidance to both young people (from the age of 13) and adults through a website, webchat and telephone helpline. The Service, delivered by local community-based careers advisers, can be accessed face to face, by telephone, webchat and online. Young people aged 13 and over can access ongoing in-depth information, advice and guidance from the service via telephone, webchat or the National Careers Service website. Face to face careers information and advice in the community is available to Adults aged 19 and over 18 if Not in Employment Education or Training (NEET).

This contract is for the delivery of the community based service in the London area.

two.2.5) Award criteria

Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents

two.2.6) Estimated value

Value excluding VAT: £27,954,456

two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system

End date

30 September 2024

This contract is subject to renewal

No

two.2.10) Information about variants

Variants will be accepted: No

two.2.11) Information about options

Options: Yes

Description of options

The contract is for a 2 year term and there will be two options to extend the contracts by up to 12 months each (2+1+1).

two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds

The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No

two.2.14) Additional information

The contract values for each lot will not exceed the value indicated at section II.2.6 in respect of each lot.

two.2) Description

two.2.1) Title

National Careers Service - Community Based Service - North East

Lot No

4 - North East

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 79634000 - Career guidance services

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UKC - North East (England)

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

The Education and Skills Funding Agency are seeking to procure 9 contracts for the delivery of the National Careers Service - Community Based Service in the 9 regions of England. The ESFA are seeking Prime Contractors who are able to deliver high quality independent careers information, advice and guidance to National Careers Service customers.

The National Careers Service provides free careers information, advice and guidance to both young people (from the age of 13) and adults through a website, webchat and telephone helpline. The Service, delivered by local community-based careers advisers, can be accessed face to face, by telephone, webchat and online. Young people aged 13 and over can access ongoing in-depth information, advice and guidance from the service via telephone, webchat or the National Careers Service website. Face to face careers information and advice in the community is available to Adults aged 19 and over 18 if Not in Employment Education or Training (NEET).

This contract is for the delivery of the community based service in the North East area.

two.2.5) Award criteria

Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents

two.2.6) Estimated value

Value excluding VAT: £15,161,958

two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system

End date

30 September 2024

This contract is subject to renewal

No

two.2.10) Information about variants

Variants will be accepted: No

two.2.11) Information about options

Options: Yes

Description of options

The contract is for a 2 year term and there will be two options to extend the contracts by up to 12 months each (2+1+1).

two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds

The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No

two.2.14) Additional information

The contract values for each lot will not exceed the value indicated at section II.2.6 in respect of each lot.

two.2) Description

two.2.1) Title

National Careers Service - Community Based Service - North West

Lot No

5 - North West

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 79634000 - Career guidance services

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UKD - North West (England)

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

The Education and Skills Funding Agency are seeking to procure 9 contracts for the delivery of the National Careers Service - Community Based Service in the 9 regions of England. The ESFA are seeking Prime Contractors who are able to deliver high quality independent careers information, advice and guidance to National Careers Service customers.

The National Careers Service provides free careers information, advice and guidance to both young people (from the age of 13) and adults through a website, webchat and telephone helpline. The Service, delivered by local community-based careers advisers, can be accessed face to face, by telephone, webchat and online. Young people aged 13 and over can access ongoing in-depth information, advice and guidance from the service via telephone, webchat or the National Careers Service website. Face to face careers information and advice in the community is available to Adults aged 19 and over 18 if Not in Employment Education or Training (NEET).

This contract is for the delivery of the community based service in the North West area.

two.2.5) Award criteria

Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents

two.2.6) Estimated value

Value excluding VAT: £25,204,870

two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system

End date

30 September 2024

This contract is subject to renewal

No

two.2.10) Information about variants

Variants will be accepted: No

two.2.11) Information about options

Options: Yes

Description of options

The contract is for a 2 year term and there will be two options to extend the contracts by up to 12 months each (2+1+1).

two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds

The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No

two.2.14) Additional information

The contract values for each lot will not exceed the value indicated at section II.2.6 in respect of each lot.

two.2) Description

two.2.1) Title

National Careers Service - Community Based Service - South East

Lot No

6 - South East

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 79634000 - Career guidance services

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UKJ - South East (England)

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

The Education and Skills Funding Agency are seeking to procure 9 contracts for the delivery of the National Careers Service - Community Based Service in the 9 regions of England. The ESFA are seeking Prime Contractors who are able to deliver high quality independent careers information, advice and guidance to National Careers Service customers.

The National Careers Service provides free careers information, advice and guidance to both young people (from the age of 13) and adults through a website, webchat and telephone helpline. The Service, delivered by local community-based careers advisers, can be accessed face to face, by telephone, webchat and online. Young people aged 13 and over can access ongoing in-depth information, advice and guidance from the service via telephone, webchat or the National Careers Service website. Face to face careers information and advice in the community is available to Adults aged 19 and over 18 if Not in Employment Education or Training (NEET).

This contract is for the delivery of the community based service in the South East area.

two.2.5) Award criteria

Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents

two.2.6) Estimated value

Value excluding VAT: £18,690,642

two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system

End date

30 September 2024

This contract is subject to renewal

No

two.2.10) Information about variants

Variants will be accepted: No

two.2.11) Information about options

Options: Yes

Description of options

The contract is for a 2 year term and there will be two options to extend the contracts by up to 12 months each (2+1+1).

two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds

The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No

two.2.14) Additional information

The contract values for each lot will not exceed the value indicated at section II.2.6 in respect of each lot.

two.2) Description

two.2.1) Title

National Careers Service - Community Based Service - South West

Lot No

7 - South West

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 79634000 - Career guidance services

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UKK - South West (England)

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

The Education and Skills Funding Agency are seeking to procure 9 contracts for the delivery of the National Careers Service - Community Based Service in the 9 regions of England. The ESFA are seeking Prime Contractors who are able to deliver high quality independent careers information, advice and guidance to National Careers Service customers.

The National Careers Service provides free careers information, advice and guidance to both young people (from the age of 13) and adults through a website, webchat and telephone helpline. The Service, delivered by local community-based careers advisers, can be accessed face to face, by telephone, webchat and online. Young people aged 13 and over can access ongoing in-depth information, advice and guidance from the service via telephone, webchat or the National Careers Service website. Face to face careers information and advice in the community is available to Adults aged 19 and over 18 if Not in Employment Education or Training (NEET).

This contract is for the delivery of the community based service in the South West area.

two.2.5) Award criteria

Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents

two.2.6) Estimated value

Value excluding VAT: £16,869,420

two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system

End date

30 September 2024

This contract is subject to renewal

No

two.2.10) Information about variants

Variants will be accepted: No

two.2.11) Information about options

Options: Yes

Description of options

The contract is for a 2 year term and there will be two options to extend the contracts by up to 12 months each (2+1+1).

two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds

The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No

two.2.14) Additional information

The contract values for each lot will not exceed the value indicated at section II.2.6 in respect of each lot.

two.2) Description

two.2.1) Title

National Careers Service - Community Based Service - West Midlands

Lot No

8 - West Midlands

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 79634000 - Career guidance services

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UKG - West Midlands (England)

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

The Education and Skills Funding Agency are seeking to procure 9 contracts for the delivery of the National Careers Service - Community Based Service in the 9 regions of England. The ESFA are seeking Prime Contractors who are able to deliver high quality independent careers information, advice and guidance to National Careers Service customers.

The National Careers Service provides free careers information, advice and guidance to both young people (from the age of 13) and adults through a website, webchat and telephone helpline. The Service, delivered by local community-based careers advisers, can be accessed face to face, by telephone, webchat and online. Young people aged 13 and over can access ongoing in-depth information, advice and guidance from the service via telephone, webchat or the National Careers Service website. Face to face careers information and advice in the community is available to Adults aged 19 and over 18 if Not in Employment Education or Training (NEET).

This contract is for the delivery of the community based service in the West Midlands area.

two.2.5) Award criteria

Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents

two.2.6) Estimated value

Value excluding VAT: £31,752,466

two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system

End date

30 September 2024

This contract is subject to renewal

No

two.2.10) Information about variants

Variants will be accepted: No

two.2.11) Information about options

Options: Yes

Description of options

The contract is for a 2 year term and there will be two options to extend the contracts by up to 12 months each (2+1+1).

two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds

The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No

two.2.14) Additional information

The contract values for each lot will not exceed the value indicated at section II.2.6 in respect of each lot.

two.2) Description

two.2.1) Title

National Careers Service - Community Based Service - Yorkshire and the Humber

Lot No

9 - Yorkshire and the Humber

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 79634000 - Career guidance services

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UKE - Yorkshire and the Humber

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

The Education and Skills Funding Agency are seeking to procure 9 contracts for the delivery of the National Careers Service - Community Based Service in the 9 regions of England. The ESFA are seeking Prime Contractors who are able to deliver high quality independent careers information, advice and guidance to National Careers Service customers.

The National Careers Service provides free careers information, advice and guidance to both young people (from the age of 13) and adults through a website, webchat and telephone helpline. The Service, delivered by local community-based careers advisers, can be accessed face to face, by telephone, webchat and online. Young people aged 13 and over can access ongoing in-depth information, advice and guidance from the service via telephone, webchat or the National Careers Service website. Face to face careers information and advice in the community is available to Adults aged 19 and over 18 if Not in Employment Education or Training (NEET).

This contract is for the delivery of the community based service in the Yorkshire and the Humber area.

two.2.5) Award criteria

Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents

two.2.6) Estimated value

Value excluding VAT: £22,766,212

two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system

End date

30 September 2024

This contract is subject to renewal

No

two.2.10) Information about variants

Variants will be accepted: No

two.2.11) Information about options

Options: Yes

Description of options

The contract is for a 2 year term and there will be two options to extend the contracts by up to 12 months each (2+1+1).

two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds

The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No

two.2.14) Additional information

The contract values for each lot will not exceed the value indicated at section II.2.6 in respect of each lot.


Section three. Legal, economic, financial and technical information

three.1) Conditions for participation

three.1.2) Economic and financial standing

Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents

three.1.3) Technical and professional ability

Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents


Section four. Procedure

four.1) Description

four.1.1) Type of procedure

Open procedure

four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)

The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes

four.2) Administrative information

four.2.1) Previous publication concerning this procedure

Notice number: 2021/S 000-012377

four.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate

Date

17 February 2022

Local time

5:00pm

four.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted

English

four.2.6) Minimum time frame during which the tenderer must maintain the tender

Duration in months: 6 (from the date stated for receipt of tender)

four.2.7) Conditions for opening of tenders

Date

17 February 2022

Local time

5:01pm


Section six. Complementary information

six.1) Information about recurrence

This is a recurrent procurement: No

six.4) Procedures for review

six.4.1) Review body

High Court

London

Country

United Kingdom

six.4.3) Review procedure

Precise information on deadline(s) for review procedures

The contracting authority will operate a minimum 10 calendar day standstill period at the point information on the award of the contract is communicated to tenderers to provide time for unsuccessful tenderers to challenge the award decision before the contract is entered into. Unsuccessful tenderers shall be notified by the contracting authority as soon as possible after the decision is made as to the reasons why they were unsuccessful. The Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (Regulations) provide that aggrieved parties who have been harmed, or are at risk of harm, by breach of the rules are to take action in the High Court (England, Wales and Northern Ireland). The Regulations set out the requirements on information to be provided prior to award of the contract and the procedures to be followed for bringing proceedings for breaches or alleged breaches of the Regulations.