Scope
Reference
PRT-SKILLS-DCG-2025-0002
Description
The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) is made up of 18 local councils, working together to make the West Midlands the best place to live, work and visit. Our priorities include homes, jobs, transport and growth for everyone. As an organisation, we're focused on making life better for people in the West Midlands. To achieve this, WMCA, working with partners as part of the West Midlands Investment Zone, is developing a specification to assess the capacity and capability of local skills and education providers to deliver high level skills and qualifications across several identified sectors and clusters.
The WMCA is seeking to commission an evaluation of the current Skills Delivery Capacity with a focus on its Investment Zones during 2026. The purpose of the commission will be to understand and assess what the current skills capacity is to deliver high level skills that will support Investment Zone (IZ) aims and objectives as well as wider aspirations within the WMCA Growth Plan.
Furthermore, it is intended that when WMCA do approach the market, the successful supplier will:
• Assess and identify how the current skills ecosystem and training delivery capacity can be strengthened.
• Outline how WMCA can enhance collaboration among Further Education (FE), Higher Education (HE), and private providers to meet industry needs reducing fragmentation and inefficient engagement.
• Assess the current higher-level skills offer in the region at Level 4 and Level 5 training providers and with particular reference to the identified WM clusters.
• Design and produce a mechanism for providing ongoing periodic assessment of this landscape to understand where gaps are reducing, being maintained or increasing and make recommendations accordingly.
Total value (estimated)
- £150,000 excluding VAT
- £180,000 including VAT
Below the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 May 2026 to 30 April 2029
- 3 years
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 79419000 - Evaluation consultancy services
Contract locations
- UKG - West Midlands (England)
Engagement
Engagement deadline
23 January 2026
Engagement process description
To participate in this engagement process, please register your interest on our new Proactis procurement platform using the link below:
Once registered, you will receive access to additional information and the questionnaire. Please ensure the completed questionnaire is submitted by 23 January 2026 at 23:59.
WMCA may invite you to participate in a face-to-face meeting or Teams call to further discuss your response. If so, you will receive communication via the Proactis Portal.
Please note, this is not a formal PQQ or expression of interest in a tender exercise. This Pre-Market Engagement is to be used purely by the WMCA to provide potential delivery partners with more information about WMCA's plans for an online engagement platform.
The WMCA will not be liable for costs incurred by an interested party participating in this exercise.
Participation
Particular suitability
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Submission
Publication date of tender notice (estimated)
1 March 2026
Contracting authority
West Midlands Combined Authority
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PGMD-1353-PZVX
West Midlands Combined Authority
Birmingham
B19 3SD
United Kingdom
Email: procurement.team@wmca.org.uk
Website: https://www.wmca.org.uk/
Region: UKG31 - Birmingham
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government