Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
British Council
1 Redman Place, Stratford, London E20 1JQ
London
Contact
Forest Deng
forest.deng@britishcouncil.org
Country
Hong Kong
NUTS code
HK - Hong Kong
National registration number
under number 209131 in England; Wales and number SC037733 in Scotland
Internet address(es)
Main address
Buyer's address
one.3) Communication
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at
https://in-tendhost.co.uk/britishcouncil/aspx/Home
Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address
Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted electronically via
https://in-tendhost.co.uk/britishcouncil/aspx/Home
Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted to the above-mentioned address
Electronic communication requires the use of tools and devices that are not generally available. Unrestricted and full direct access to these tools and devices is possible, free of charge, at
https://in-tendhost.co.uk/britishcouncil/aspx/Home
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Other type
Registered Charity
one.5) Main activity
General public services
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
Invitation to Tender for the English Language Assistants Programme in Hong Kong
Reference number
BC/03371
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 79631000 - Personnel and payroll services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
OverviewThe British Council in Hong Kong will oversee the management and development of the English Language Assistants Programme in Hong Kong. This is a 10.5 month programme and with a potential for an extension for up to an additional twelve to thirty-six months outward mobility programme for UK graduates. The Programme’s primary purpose is to provide UK graduates (the "Language Assistants") with the opportunity to live and work abroad for one year. The programme will recruit 40 language assistants in Years 1.The Supplier will provide the following Services:1. Provision of Employment Contracts; 2. Provision of Visas; 3. Provision of Healthcare Insurance; 4. Advice and reimbursement of Travel Arrangement Services; 5. To arrange International SOS service insurance for the provision of Duty of Care; 6. Accommodation arrangement (cost will be covered by the Language Assistants); 7. HR consultancy service (Hourly rate if preferred)
two.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT: £800,000
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 79631000 - Personnel and payroll services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- HK - Hong Kong
Main site or place of performance
Hong Kong
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
OverviewThe British Council in Hong Kong will oversee the management and development of the English Language Assistants Programme for a leading further and higher education provider in Hong Kong. This is a 10.5 month programme and with a potential for an extension for up to an additional twelve to thirty-six months outward mobility programme for UK graduates. The Programme’s primary purpose is to provide UK graduates (the "Language Assistants") with the opportunity to live and work abroad for one year. The programme will recruit 40 language assistants in Years 1.The language assistants will support the teaching and learning of English. They will work with the client organisation’s sub-degree programme instructors to deliver English Medium of Instruction programmes and to support students to develop their English language skills for study and for the workplace.Main servicesThe Supplier will provide the following Services under this Agreement:1. Provision of Employment Contracts and Payroll Services • Issue standard employment contracts to the Language Assistants by the end of June 2024, in accordance with Hong Kong Labour laws, for the duration of their teaching assignment in Hong Kong.• Provide payroll services to pay monthly salaries to the Language Assistants at the end of each calendar month. Funds for payment of salaries will be transferred from the British Council Hong Kong to the Supplier at the beginning of each calendar month. Bank details will be provided by the Language Assistants to the Supplier. Records of all financial transactions should be submitted to the British Council Project team as requested.• Manage the Language Assistants’ attendance records and provide summary reports two working days prior to the end of each month to British Council Project team.2. Provision of VisasManage the end-to-end process to secure working/training visas for the selected Language Assistants in the UK. This will involve:• coordinating with the British Council Project team to agree on timelines;• working with the Language Assistants on all necessary visa application documentation• liaising with the Immigration Department of Hong Kong to keep track of the progress of applications• flagging issues to the British Council Project team and the Language Assistant(s) immediately; and,• delivering approved visas to the Language Assistants in the UK.3. Provision of Healthcare Insurance• Provide a minimum of three options for appropriate medical insurance packages (including, but not limited to, provisions for Covid-19) for the Language Assistants for the duration of their stay in Hong Kong.• Agree with the British Council Project team on the final medical insurance package and travel insurance to be secured for the Language Assistants, as well as timelines for securing these.• Purchase the necessary insurances for all Language Assistants one month before the employment date.4. Advice and reimbursement of Travel Arrangement ServicesManage reimbursement and the travel arrangements to and from Hong Kong from the UK for all Language Assistants on the Programme. This should include (but may not be limited to):• ensuring each Language Assistant has a confirmed return flight booking based on an agreed upon flight allowance with the British Council;• providing a detailed pre-departure briefing to the Language Assistants in the UK, within the timeline agreed to with the British Council Project team5. To arrange International SOS service insurance for the provision of Duty of Care:6. Accommodation arrangement (cost will be covered by the Language Assistants)7. HR consultancy service (Hourly rate if preferred)
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
Start date
1 June 2024
End date
30 June 2028
This contract is subject to renewal
No
two.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: Yes
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 three. Legal, economic, financial and technical information
three.1) Conditions for participation
three.1.1) Suitability to pursue the professional activity, including requirements relating to enrolment on professional or trade registers
List and brief description of conditions
NA.
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: Yes
four.2) Administrative information
four.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate
Date
22 March 2024
Local time
8:00am
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: 31 August 2024
four.2.7) Conditions for opening of tenders
Date
25 March 2024
Local time
8:00am
Place
China
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
the British Council
Hong Kong
Country
Hong Kong
six.4.3) Review procedure
Precise information on deadline(s) for review procedures
Deadline for submission of ITT responses by potential suppliers (Response Deadline) 5pm, 22 Mar 2024, Hong Kong Time