Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
Ministry of Defence
Army Headquarters Zone 2.N Second Floor Blenheim Building Marlborough Lines Monxton Road
Andover
SP11 8HT
ArmyComrcl-Procure-AAP-Mailbox@mod.gov.uk
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UK - United Kingdom
Internet address(es)
Main address
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-defence
one.3) Communication
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at
https://contracts.mod.uk/esop/guest/go/opportunity/detail?opportunityId=57317
Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address
Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted electronically via
https://contracts.mod.uk/esop/guest/go/opportunity/detail?opportunityId=57317
Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted to the above-mentioned address
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Ministry or any other national or federal authority
one.5) Main activity
Defence
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
708726451- Provision of Business Support Services to the Army Apprenticeship Programme
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 80000000 - Education and training services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
The Army Apprenticeship Programme (AAP) currently offers English Apprenticeships at Levels 2, 3, 4 and 6 with around 15,000 Apprentices on programme at any one time, primarily in UK locations but also overseas.
The AAP is predominately an Employer Provider using mixed delivery with subcontracted RoATP listed Service Providers (SP) covering some elements of Training and the majority of learner administration of the programme. The AAP is delivered in 13 separately governed and managed cap badge ( eg Infantry ) apprenticeship sub-programmes.
To support this mixed delivery model the AAP subcontracts Business Services Support to administration, delivery and quality assurance of apprenticeships against ESFA regulations.
The Business Services Support contract is managed by Army HQ Andover and will cover :
• Provision of subject matter expert (SME) advice and guidance to the Army to identify and assure external and internal delivery, financial compliance and quality of delivery.
• Provision of SME advice on all aspects of English Apprenticeships regulations including advising on impact of all changes to such regulations.
• Data administration of the subcontracted management information system (MIS) including daily management and maintenance to meet ESFA regulations, provision of routine and adhoc financial and performance reports.
• Financial Assurance through regular 2nd Party Assurance of SP compliance with ESFA funding regulations with appropriate follow up and monitoring of corrective actions.
• Support to meet all external and internal audits including OfSTED, ESFA and Government Internal Audit through SME advice and provision of data / evidence.
• Quality assurance and support to continuous improvement.
• Provision of direct SME support to the 13 cap badge programmes including cap badge specific data / reporting, quality improvement planning and self-assessment reports. It is anticipated that this will require significant time on site at cap badge locations across the UK as well as Army HQ in Andover.
• Support to contracting of SP, MIS and End Point Assessment requirements throughout the whole process from initial tender document production, technical and financial assessment of bids, impact assessment of regulatory changes on running contracts and to support the end of contract management and transition management between expiring and incoming contractors.
• Provision of SME advice and capability to facilitate the digitisation of the Army Apprenticeship programme as it transitions from a paper file system on to a fully digitised programme; to include enrolment, ILR, document management and an e-portfolio system.
Interested parties are to note:
• The AAP currently uses the Tribal Maytas system for its MIS.
• To avoid distortion of competition, bidders should be aware that the contract cannot be held by any supplier in conjunction with any other subcontracted AAP requirements.
• Contract is intended to be for six years commencing 1st December 2024.
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 72225000 - System quality assurance assessment and review services
- 75121000 - Administrative educational services
- 80400000 - Adult and other education services
- 80500000 - Training services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UK - United Kingdom
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
The Business Services Support contract is managed by Army HQ Andover and will cover :
• Provision of subject matter expert (SME) advice and guidance to the Army to identify and assure external and internal delivery, financial compliance and quality of delivery.
• Provision of SME advice on all aspects of English Apprenticeships regulations including advising on impact of all changes to such regulations.
• Data administration of the subcontracted management information system (MIS) including daily management and maintenance to meet ESFA regulations, provision of routine and adhoc financial and performance reports.
• Financial Assurance through regular 2nd Party Assurance of SP compliance with ESFA funding regulations with appropriate follow up and monitoring of corrective actions.
• Support to meet all external and internal audits including OfSTED, ESFA and Government Internal Audit through SME advice and provision of data / evidence.
• Quality assurance and support to continuous improvement.
• Provision of direct SME support to the 13 cap badge programmes including cap badge specific data / reporting, quality improvement planning and self-assessment reports. It is anticipated that this will require significant time on site at cap badge locations across the UK as well as Army HQ in Andover.
• Support to contracting of SP, MIS and End Point Assessment requirements throughout the whole process from initial tender document production, technical and financial assessment of bids, impact assessment of regulatory changes on running contracts and to support the end of contract management and transition management between expiring and incoming contractors.
• Provision of SME advice and capability to facilitate the digitisation of the Army Apprenticeship programme as it transitions from a paper file system on to a fully digitised programme; to include enrolment, ILR, document management and an e-portfolio system.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months
72
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: No
two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No
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: No
four.2) Administrative information
four.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate
Date
4 March 2024
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
Tender must be valid until: 20 May 2024
four.2.7) Conditions for opening of tenders
Date
4 March 2024
Local time
5:00pm
Section six. Complementary information
six.1) Information about recurrence
This is a recurrent procurement: No
six.2) Information about electronic workflows
Electronic ordering will be used
Electronic invoicing will be accepted
Electronic payment will be used
six.3) Additional information
To respond to the opportunity please follow this link:
https://contracts.mod.uk/esop/guest/go/opportunity/detail?opportunityId=57317
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
Ministry Of Defence
Andover
armycomrcl-procure-aap-mailbox@mod.gov.uk
Country
United Kingdom
Internet address
https://contracts.mod.uk/esop/guest/go/opportunity/detail?opportunityId=57317