Tender

Flexible Framework for the delivery of Employability Skills Support

  • West Dunbartonshire Council

F21: Social and other specific services – public contracts (contract notice)

Notice identifier: 2021/S 000-005299

Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-029c24

Published 16 March 2021, 1:08pm



Section one: Contracting authority

one.1) Name and addresses

West Dunbartonshire Council

16 Church Street

Dumbarton

G82 1QL

Email

michelle.mckenzie@west-dunbarton.gov.uk

Telephone

+44 1389737000

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code

UKM81 - East Dunbartonshire, West Dunbartonshire and Helensburgh & Lomond

Internet address(es)

Main address

http://www.west-dunbarton.gov.uk

Buyer's address

https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA00153

one.3) Communication

The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at

https://www.publictendersscotland.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/esop/pts-host/public/pts/web/login.html?_ncp=1454580377639.233076-1

Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address

Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted electronically via

https://www.publictendersscotland.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/esop/pts-host/public/pts/web/login.html?_ncp=1454580377639.233076-1

one.4) Type of the contracting authority

Regional or local authority

one.5) Main activity

Education


Section two: Object

two.1) Scope of the procurement

two.1.1) Title

Flexible Framework for the delivery of Employability Skills Support

two.1.2) Main CPV code

  • 80000000 - Education and training services

two.1.3) Type of contract

Services

two.1.4) Short description

This notice relates to the opportunity for new entrants to apply to West Dunbartonshire Council's Flexible Framework Agreement.

The Flexible Framework Agreement was established in 2020 to provide a wide range of pre/vocational training interventions that will assist citizens of West Dunbartonshire (aged 16+) to overcome barriers to employment, training and learning opportunities and assist them to achieve their training, employment and career and job aspirations.

The remaining duration of the Flexible Framework Agreement will be for 3 years.

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

Engagement and Barrier Removal

Lot No

1

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 80000000 - Education and training services

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UKM81 - East Dunbartonshire, West Dunbartonshire and Helensburgh & Lomond

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

The current employability support services managed by West Dunbartonshire Council’s service Working 4U and delivered across the five stage employability pipeline provides a range of programmes and interventions that meet the identified needs of different client groups.

There has been and will continue to be an increasing focus on job seekers with multiple barriers to employment. It is essential that the employability support services at each stage of the employability pipeline meet the needs of the local economy and local businesses. However, they must also meet the needs of West Dunbartonshire citizens who wish to progress towards and into employment and improve their position within the labour market.

These objectives will be supported by a clear focus on progression within which:

stages 1 and 2 of the pipeline supporting those furthest from the labour market with better assessment, action planning and barrier removal activities.

More comprehensive information about the West Dunbartonshire Employability Pipeline can be found here:

https://www.west-dunbarton.gov.uk/jobs-and-training/working4u/work/strategic-skills-pipeline/

Transition between the five stages and lots 1, 2 and 3 is fundamentally important to the working of the pipeline and will be overseen and managed by Working 4U, who will retain all responsibility for individuals participating in the employability support services.

Transition and progression is particularly important for beneficiaries in Lot 1 and Lot 2 where they move from being not job ready into the demand side of the pipeline where they will be actively seeking work.

Individuals will participate in the stages of the employability pipeline that meets their identified needs; tenderers must be clear as to how they will manage support interventions at different stages of the pipeline.

Key objectives going forward which will underpin activity will be around:

- more flexible and responsive delivery models to meet this demand;

- embedding employability with other local support services;

better targeted and responsive support to those furthest from the labour market and streamlined to avoid confusion;

- improved partnerships.

two.2.7) Duration of the contract or the framework agreement

Duration in months

36

two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds

The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: Yes

Identification of the project

European Social Funds

two.2) Description

two.2.1) Title

Vocational Training and Work Related Skills

Lot No

2

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 80000000 - Education and training services

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UKM81 - East Dunbartonshire, West Dunbartonshire and Helensburgh & Lomond

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

The current employability support services managed by West Dunbartonshire Council’s service Working 4U and delivered across the five stage employability pipeline provides a range of programmes and interventions that meet the identified needs of different client groups.

There has been and will continue to be an increasing focus on job seekers with multiple barriers to employment.

It is essential that the employability support services at each stage of the employability pipeline meet the needs of the local economy and local businesses. However, they must also meet the needs of West Dunbartonshire residents who wish to progress towards and into employment and improve their position within the labour market.

These objectives will be supported by a clear focus on progression within which will:

Improve progression pathways from stages 1 and 2 into vocational activity and skills development at stages 3 and 4 with increased and improved job brokering, employer engagement and job matching with employers who have identified a specific need or vacancy.

More comprehensive information about the West Dunbartonshire Employability Pipeline can be found here:

https://www.west-dunbarton.gov.uk/jobs-and-training/working4u/work/strategic-skills-pipeline/

Transition between the five stages and lots 1, 2 and 3 is fundamentally important to the working of the pipeline and will be overseen and managed by Working 4U, who will retain all responsibility for individuals participating in the employability support services.

Transition and progression is particularly important for beneficiaries in Lot 1 and Lot 2 where they move from being not job ready into the demand side of the pipeline where they will be actively seeking work.

Individuals will participate in the stages of the employability pipeline that meets their identified needs; tenderers must be clear as to how they will manage support interventions at different stages of the pipeline.

Key objectives going forward which will underpin activity will be around:

- more flexible and responsive delivery models to meet this demand;

- embedding employability with other local support services;

better targeted and responsive support to those furthest from the labour market and streamlined to avoid confusion;

- improved partnerships.

two.2.7) Duration of the contract or the framework agreement

Duration in months

36

two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds

The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: Yes

Identification of the project

European Social Funds

two.2) Description

two.2.1) Title

In Work Support and Work Based Qualifications

Lot No

3

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 80000000 - Education and training services

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UKM81 - East Dunbartonshire, West Dunbartonshire and Helensburgh & Lomond

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

The current employability support services managed by West Dunbartonshire Council’s service Working 4U and delivered across the five stage employability pipeline provides a range of programmes and interventions that meet the identified needs of different client groups.

There has been and will continue to be an increasing focus on job seekers with multiple barriers to employment.

It is essential that the employability support services at each stage of the employability pipeline meet the needs of the local economy and local businesses. However, they must also meet the needs of West Dunbartonshire citizens who wish to progress towards and into employment and improve their position within the labour market.

These objectives will be supported by a clear focus on progression within which:

at stage 5, will provide improved in-work support and aftercare, which includes continued skills development.

More comprehensive information about the West Dunbartonshire Employability Pipeline can be found here:

https://www.west-dunbarton.gov.uk/jobs-and-training/working4u/work/strategic-skills-pipeline/

Transition between the five stages and lots 1, 2 and 3 is fundamentally important to the working of the pipeline and will be overseen and managed by Working 4U, who will retain all responsibility for individuals participating in the employability support services.

Transition and progression is particularly important for beneficiaries in Lot 1 and Lot 2 where they move from being not job ready into the demand side of the pipeline where they will be actively seeking work.

Individuals will participate in the stages of the employability pipeline that meets their identified needs; tenderers must be clear as to how they will manage support interventions at different stages of the pipeline.

Key objectives going forward which will underpin activity will be around:

- more flexible and responsive delivery models to meet this demand;

- embedding employability with other local support services;

better targeted and responsive support to those furthest from the labour market and streamlined to avoid confusion;

- improved partnerships.

two.2.7) Duration of the contract or the framework agreement

Duration in months

36

two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds

The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: Yes

Identification of the project

European Social Funds


Section three. Legal, economic, financial and technical information

three.1) Conditions for participation

three.1.4) Objective rules and criteria for participation

List and brief description of rules and criteria

services as defined in Schedule 3 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015 (“the Regulations”) and the Framework which is the subject of this notice shall be established in accordance with Regulations 74-76 of the Regulations. Any application of or reference to other Regulations unless clearly identified is not to be implied and should not be construed as applying any of the other Regulations to the procurement exercise or resulting Framework or bringing any of them into force.

three.2) Conditions related to the contract

three.2.2) Contract performance conditions

For full details of the contract conditions, please see the applicable procurement documents within the ITT.

Tenderers should note there is no guarantee of any business, use, level of use or continuity of business through the Framework. The Council will use the call off options described in the procurement documents to arrange care packages.

three.2.3) Information about staff responsible for the performance of the contract

Obligation to indicate the names and professional qualifications of the staff assigned to performing the contract


Section four. Procedure

four.1) Description

four.1.1) Form of procedure

Open procedure

four.1.3) Information about a framework agreement

The procurement involves the establishment of a framework agreement

four.2) Administrative information

four.2.1) Previous publication concerning this procedure

Notice number: 2019/S 208-507575

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

Date

16 April 2021

Local time

10:00am

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

English


Section six. Complementary information

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

West Dunbartonshire Counncil via its Working 4U Service will retain responsibility for the end to end provision overseeing the participant employability journey working with a range of delivery partners to enhance the capacity and variety of support available.

Some specialist provision will be required for individuals with learning disabilities across all employability support services and an inclusive approach to the design and delivery of provision is essential.

Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015.

The procurement exercise will be governed by Regulations 74, 75 & 76 of Public Contract (Scotland) Regulations 2015.

NOTE: To register your interest in this notice and obtain any additional information please visit the Public Contracts Scotland Tender Website: https://www.publictendersscotland.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/

Suppliers are advised to allow adequate time for uploading documents and to dispatch the electronic response well in advance of the closing time to avoid any last minute problems.

The Contracting Authority does not intend to include a sub-contract clause as part of community benefits (as per Section 25 of the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014) in this contract for the following reason:

These are services to the individual and West Dunbartonshire Council Working 4U Service is responsible for the services provided to the individual. The Working 4U Service manages the end to end Employability Pipeline Support and wants a direct relationship with the service provider delivering the specific service requirements to the individual.

The buyer is using PCS-Tender to conduct this ITT exercise. The Project code is 18222. For more information see: http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/info/InfoCentre.aspx?ID=2343

A sub-contract clause has been included in this contract. For more information see: http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/info/InfoCentre.aspx?ID=2363

Community benefits are included in this requirement. For more information see: http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/info/InfoCentre.aspx?ID=2361

A summary of the expected community benefits has been provided as follows:

.

(SC Ref:647368)

six.4) Procedures for review

six.4.1) Review body

Dumbarton Sheriff Court and Justice of the Peace Court

Sheriff Court House, Church Street

Dumbarton

G82 1QR

Country

United Kingdom

Internet address

http://www.west-dunbarton.gov.uk