Section one: Contracting entity
one.1) Name and addresses
NORTHERN GAS NETWORKS LIMITED
1100 Century Way Thorpe Park
LEEDS
LS158TU
Contact
Rebecca Rowley
Telephone
+44 7935077342
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UKE42 - Leeds
Internet address(es)
Main address
www.northerngasnetworks.co.uk/procurement
one.3) Communication
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at
www.northerngasnetworks.co.uk/procurement
Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address
Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted to the above-mentioned address
one.6) Main activity
Production, transport and distribution of gas and heat
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
Apprenticeships & Operational Training Framework
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 80500000 - Training services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
Northern Gas Networks are running a tender event for split into 2 separate LOTs as follows;
LOT 1 - Apprenticeships
Northern Gas Networks aim to contract with a Training Provider to deliver Apprentice Training Services for Apprentices as below:
• Maintenance Operations Engineering Technicians Level 3: 10-15
• Gas Network Operative Level 2: 10-12
• Gas Network Craftsperson Level 3: 10-12
Please note we expect all bidders to be approved to deliver all 3 of these apprenticeship programmes.
LOT 2 - Operational Training Framework
The purpose of this Framework contract is to provide operational training courses as required by NGN across the whole of NGN's Network.
Bidders must be able to provide the services in the entire of NGN's Network, NGN Courses should be run to the maximum capacity allowed and be held between 1st April until 30th September each year.
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: Yes
Tenders may be submitted for all lots
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
Apprenticeships
Lot No
1
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 80500000 - Training services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKE42 - Leeds
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
Northern Gas Networks aim to contract with a Training Provider to deliver Apprentice Training Services for Apprentices as below:
• Maintenance Operations Engineering Technicians Level 3: 10-15
• Gas Network Operative Level 2: 10-12
• Gas Network Craftsperson Level 3: 10-12
Please note we expect all bidders to be approved to deliver all 3 of these apprenticeship programmes.
Training Programmes and required qualifications
Training programmes must conform to the current apprentice standards at contract commencement date and the apprentice programme must include the following qualifications:
- Gas Network Operative Level 2- Service & Mains Laying
- Gas Network Craftsperson Level 3 - Emergency Response
- Maintenance Operations Engineering Technician Level 3 - Pathways Mechanical and Electrical & Instrumentation
All apprentices are qualified at NCO1 level 1 Gas operative and NRSWA Modules 1, 2 and 3 and are currently working towards their Service Laying qualification. This training does not form part of the Scope of services and your pricing submission should reflect this.
The programme should see current apprentice's progress from their current service laying apprenticeship, through to qualified Mains Response Engineer (MRE) status. The programme should include the necessary Mains laying training to be aligned to the Gas Network Craftsperson Level 3 Emergency Response Standard.
The programme is to last a maximum duration of:
A: GNO L2: 18 Months
B: GNC L3: 24 Months
C: MOET L3: 48 Months
The programmes must be complete by the contract end dates agreed and suppliers should ensure that the programme is sufficiently flexible to enable the training to be provided in a shorter period of time to meet the completion date, should NGN require this.
Additional requirements may include single or multiple programmes in line with the standards above, in order to meet NGN's business needs over the contract period.
The training provider must be registered on the Register of Apprenticeship Training Providers (RoATP).
All Trainers and Subcontractors must be accredited to the following as a minimum -
Engineering competencies:
• NCO Level 1 Gas Operative
• NCO Level 2 Service and/or Mains (please specify up to what diameter)
• ELR
• NRSWA modules 1, 2 and 3
• SCO 1 & 2 - Service Laying, 1, 2, 4 & 5 - Mains Laying
Emergency competencies:
• CESP1
• MET 1 & 4
• REGT1
• TPCP1A
• ICPN1
• TPCP1
• CMET1
• CMET2
• NRSWA modules 1, 2 and 3
• SCO 1 & 2
Additionally, the following competencies are required as per the Gas Network Team Leader and Gas Network Craftsperson standard:
• Emergency First Aid
• Fire control
• Confined Space
• Working at heights
The successful bidder must be willing to attend NGN led training prior to commencement of the contract if they are not considered to be up to date on NGN policies and procedures or competent in the use of operational equipment.
Reporting and ePortfolio
Through a user-friendly ePortfolio software, adequate support and guidance is required in capturing and recording both on and off the job training. The evidence recorded must be in line with current and future business specific policies/procedures, allow the learners to satisfy the necessary criteria to enter the End Point Assessment (EPA) and satisfy the relevant guidelines related to the Apprentice Levy.
The successful bidder must be able to provide accurate and timely reports which include the following On/Off Track and Evidence Mapping Completion (%).
The successful bidder must also use a model which is to be used when recording the mandatory 20% off the job training. This must be separate from the ePortfolio software.
Supplier responsibilities
The successful bidder must have fully equipped suitable training facilities and be self-sufficient in the supply of all Equipment and Consumable items used during training, Training materials and PPE for the delivery of the apprentice programme. NGN will not provide funding for the provision of any Equipment and Consumable items used during training.
Suppliers must also provide viable accommodation options to NGN within a 10 mile radius of their training site. NGN have a cap of £85 per head per night which Suppliers must consider when providing accommodation options.
NGN Development Centre
In collaboration with the NGN Development Centre training team, the awarded supplier is expected to support our community to build knowledge and experience to enhance both business performance and wellbeing - both intrinsically linked.
Delivery of Programme
The new contract should allow for 1 training programme to be managed start to finish rather than having numerous separately managed projects.
NGN may wish to add additional apprentices during the contract period.
To allow for consistency in the standard of training, NGN's preferable solution is to contract with 1 supplier who can cover the whole of NGN's Network.
For security reasons, the successful bidder must be able to complete all training requirements without the use of USB sticks.
Suppliers must be able to deliver training for a minimum of 40 weeks of the year, including throughout the summer.
Training centre locations
Bidders must have the capacity to deliver training across all of NGN's Network, with training centres that fall within the Network.
The successful bidder must have the capacity to provide an area/site that is independent from prior learning with pressurised capability conforming to the EPA requirements
Safeguarding
The successful bidder must have a designated Safeguarding lead and must have the following policies in place -
Prevent and Safeguarding Policy
Employers H&S Policy
Safeguarding and Prevent Policy
GDPR Policy
Equal Opportunities Policy
Risk Assessment Policy
Bullying and Harassment Policy
Discipline and Grievance Policy
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
36
This contract is subject to renewal
Yes
Description of renewals
3 x 1 year extension provisions available for NGN to use at our discretion
two.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: No
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: No
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
Operational Training Framework
Lot No
2
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 80500000 - Training services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKE42 - Leeds
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
The purpose of this Framework contract is to provide operational training courses as required by NGN across the whole of NGN's Network.
Bidders must be able to provide the services in the entire of NGN's Network, NGN Courses should be run to the maximum capacity allowed and be held between 1st April until 30th September each year.
Essential Criteria
• Feed Back Forms to be completed during the training and managed by the training provider. Completed Forms to be issued to NGNs nominated representative 48 hours after completion.
• Full joining instructions are to be sent to NGNs nominated representative at least 14 days prior to the commencement of the course.
• Registers of attendance must be scanned and emailed no later than 48 hours after each course to NGNs nominated contact
• Certificates must be applied for by Suppliers as soon as courses completed
• Certificates are to be issued to NGNs nominated contact within agreed timescales. Certificates should contain a breakdown of content on each element of training completed to achieve the overall certification.
• Suppliers are to supply all equipment/plant for both Technical and Non-Technical including stationery. NGN Operatives will supply their own PPE.
• Most current and up to date training materials must be used. (Versions/examples of the materials used are requested within this RFP)
The Operational Training Framework will be split into 2 separate LOTs as follows:
LOT A - Main NGN courses
Suppliers MUST be capable of providing 10 or more of the 33 courses under this LOT shown below.
LOT B - Ad Hoc courses
Suppliers MUST be capable of providing at least 1 of the 7 courses under this LOT shown below.
Suppliers are able to bid on LOT A, LOT B or both as long as they meet the criteria required.
Courses - LOT A
Abrasive Wheels
Confined Spaces
Deep Excavation
Deep Excavation re-assessment
ELR - Escape Locate and Repair (and Refresher)
FCO (First Call Operative) 1 - CESP1, MET4
FCO2 (First Call Operative) - REGT1 (Medium Pressure Governors)
FCO4 - (First Call Operative) ICPN1, TPCP1, CMET1, CMET2
Fire Control / Emergency First Aid
Fire Marshal
First Aid at Work
MET1 Only
MET4 Only
Mini Digger Novice
Mini Digger - 360 Excavator Training below 5 Tonne
NCO 1 (Network Construction Operative)
NCO 2 (Network Construction Operative)
NRSWA (New Road Street Works Act) Operative Units
NRSWA (New Road Street Works Act) Supervisors Units
ORE (Operational Response Engineer)
P11 Course (Technician Assessment)
Pavement Saws, Stihl, Disc, Floor, Road
SCO 1 & 2 (Safe Control of Operations) Novice Only
SCO4 (Safe Control of Operations) Novice only
SCO5 (Safe Control of Operations) Novice only
TEM2 Electrical and Instrumental
TEM3 Electrical and Instrumental
TEM4 Electrical and Instrumental
TEM9 Electrical and Instrumental
VS02 Assessor High & Low Voltage Systems Training
VS02 Inspector High & Low Voltage Systems Training
Grund Winch Training
Working at Heights
Courses - LOT B
CPC Training (Lorry Drivers) Certificate of Professional Competence
Dumper Fwd Tip 180dg, 7.5 T
Hiab (Refresher Training)
TEM1 (Compex) Electrical and Instrumental
Trailer Towing (B+E) Novice only
IPAF 1 B
Pasma
The supplier is to ensure they have a robust programme of training and procedures in place to plan, communicate and execute requirements within the agreed timescales that will be set out in the KPI's within the Contract.
Northern Gas Networks are looking at the potential opportunity to outsource some of our skilled trainers/mentors to suppliers to assist, set up or train delegates. NGN would cover all costs of this outsourcing, but subject to implementation agreed revision of rates would be sought with successful suppliers further into the Contractual Agreement.
Management of the Contract
The Supplier will manage and operate this contract with the necessary dedicated staff and other support services that can be provided.
It is essential there is a full time dedicated Suppliers Representative who will be responsible for operating the Contract and developing improvements to the management for the mutual benefits of both parties, particularly the liaising and communicating of training renewals, expiration dates of certificates and re assessments. All monthly reporting formats shall be agreed with NGN's Representative.
Northern Gas Networks will appoint an Employer's Representative to monitor and manage the contract on its behalf and liaise with the Suppliers Representative. Attendance would be required by the Supplier at initially monthly meetings then quarterly meetings either at NGN's premises or the Suppliers premises.
Key Performance Indicators
The performance of the Supplier is to be monitored against specified Key Performance Indicators (KPI's) and the Supplier shall report to the NGN's Representative at the intervals stated in Management of Contract section, with respect to their performance against the KPI's.
The KPI's may be subject to review and amendment after Year 1 of the Contract Period. The review will be carried out by NGN's Representative and the Supplier.
Reporting KPI Failures - It is important that there are procedures in place for overcoming and reporting problems when the KPI's cannot be achieved first time. For example, lack of stock, traffic problems etc, and ordering issues. These procedures and their implementation are more important than the actual KPI. The principle should be that if the procedures are followed then the 100% KPI has been maintained.
What follows is an overview of the performance targets that will be expected of the Supplier. The list is not exhaustive but is intended to allow a sufficient level of detail to design and cost a response.
KPI Overview Target
Delivery Performance Delivery Performance is measured by each individual line item ordered. 99%
Monthly Reporting Monthly Progress Reviews: 1 week prior to monthly meeting, the content of the report will be of mutual agreement between NGN and Supplier Monthly
Lost Time Injury Not to exceed one in a given year
Road Traffic Accident Not to exceed one in a given year
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
36
This contract is subject to renewal
Yes
Description of renewals
3 x 1 year extension provisions available for NGN to use at our discretion
two.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: No
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: No
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.1) Type of procedure
Negotiated procedure with prior call for competition
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
31 March 2021
Local time
9:00am
four.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted
English
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
Becky Rowley
Leeds
Country
United Kingdom