Scope
Reference
TVCA-PROC-0745
Description
Tees Valley Combined Authority (TVCA)(the 'Contacting Authority'), part of the Tees Valley Combined Authority Group, is inviting tenders for the provision of Adult Skills Fund 2026-27, 2027-28 and 2028-29 to:
•Deliver Adult Skills Programmes to Tees Valley residents aged 19+ that are aligned to regional skills priorities, including but not limited to green industries, manufacturing, logistics, construction, digital, health and social care, and emerging and everyday sectors.
•Offer creative and innovative approaches that improve engagement, retention, and progression-this may include blended learning, employer-led models, flexible delivery, or community-based outreach.
•Work collaboratively with employers, referral partners, and community organisations to ensure strong pipelines and clear progression routes.
•Ensure all learning is of consistently high quality, with qualified staff, well-designed curricula, and strong learner support.
•Provide timely and accurate data returns and comply with all funding and audit requirements.
For more information about this opportunity, please visit the Delta portal at: https://www.delta-esourcing.com/tenders/UK-Darlington:-Education-and-training-services./233Y4Y7WP2
To respond to this opportunity, please click here: https://www.delta-esourcing.com/respond/233Y4Y7WP2
If you experience any technical difficulties from accessing the above url, then please contact the Delta eSourcing Helpdesk on call 0800 923 9236 or email helpdesk@delta-esourcing.com.
For more information about this opportunity, please visit the Delta eSourcing portal at:
To respond to this opportunity, please click here:
Total value (estimated)
- £21,000,000 excluding VAT
- £25,200,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 August 2026 to 31 July 2029
- Possible extension to 31 July 2030
- 4 years
Description of possible extension:
Any option to extend of up to one year may include but not limited to review of existing Delivery Plan from Year 1-3, including provision, learner numbers, priority sector areas, funding values, review of Social Value from Year 1-3.
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 80000000 - Education and training services
- 80400000 - Adult and other education services
Contract locations
- UKC1 - Tees Valley and Durham
Participation
Legal and financial capacity conditions of participation
Please refer to tender documentation for full details.
Technical ability conditions of participation
Please refer to tender documentation for full details.
Particular suitability
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Submission
Enquiry deadline
2 February 2026, 5:00pm
Submission type
Tenders
Tender submission deadline
16 February 2026, 10:00am
Submission address and any special instructions
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
10 June 2026
Award criteria
| Name | Description | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delivery and Outcomes | Quality |
Quality | 40% |
| Capacity and Capability | Quality |
Quality | 40% |
| Social Value | Social Value |
Quality | 20% |
Other information
Description of risks to contract performance
As the Local Growth Plan is currently in development, there may be additional funding or targeted interventions requiring new or extended grant and contract for services processes. While current timelines are based on known delivery requirements, further grant administration could be required subject to further funding by central government beyond existing timescales, subject to finalised priorities.
This introduces known unknowns - we anticipate new delivery activity may emerge, but the scale, complexity, and timing remain uncertain.
There is also the potential for unknowns tied to national policy shifts or macroeconomic changes.
If additional contract for services processes are introduced because of the Business Growth Plan, this may require an increase in delivery capacity, resources, and associated administration costs to maintain robust governance, compliance, and monitoring. This would represent a monetary increase not currently budgeted.
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Competitive flexible procedure
Competitive flexible procedure description
The competitive flexible procedure will be conducted in 3 stages:-
Stage 1 - Participation and Compliance (including Procurement Specific Questionnaire)
Stage 2 - Invitation to submit initial tenders for bidders who passed Stage 1. Quality/Social Value Assessment
Stage 3 - Negotiation (where applicable)
Full details of the multi-stage process can be found in the procurement documentation.
Contracting authority
Tees Valley Combined Authority
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PDNG-8971-ZVCR
Teesside Airport Business Suite, Teesside international Airport
Darlington
DL2 1NJ
United Kingdom
Region: UKC13 - Darlington
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government