Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office
King Charles Street
London
SW1A 2AH
Telephone
+44 02070081467
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UK - United Kingdom
Internet address(es)
Main address
Buyer's address
https://fcdo.bravosolution.co.uk/web/login.html
one.2) Information about joint procurement
The contract is awarded by a central purchasing body
one.3) Communication
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at
https://fcdo.bravosolution.co.uk/web/login.html
Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address
Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted electronically via
https://fcdo.bravosolution.co.uk/web/login.html
Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted to the above-mentioned address
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Ministry or any other national or federal authority
one.5) Main activity
General public services
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
Provision of UK Based Language Training and Examinations
Reference number
Project _5703
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 80580000 - Provision of language courses
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
Operational and developmental language training and online examination services for FCDO and wider HMG officers.
Language training and examination services play a critical role in ensuring that officers from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and across Her Majesty’s Government (HMG) have the appropriate level of foreign language skills. This is to enable them to operate confidently and effectively to help fulfil HMG’s objectives and project and enhance the UK’s global influence overseas.
Officers use their language skills in a variety of contexts such as engaging with politicians, dealing with local authorities and officials, speaking to businesses, talking to students, negotiation, giving speeches and media interviews, engaging on social media, reading newspapers and understanding broadcasts.
We expect this opportunity will be of interest to providers of language training, including universities, in a large number of languages, Centres of Excellence that specialise in one or several languages, and providers of online testing or examinations services including but not limited to those with existing capability in online language proficiency testing.
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: Yes
Tenders may be submitted for all lots
The contracting authority reserves the right to award contracts combining the following lots or groups of lots:
Suppliers accessing tender documentation, please see attachment 2 - Instructions To Tenderers in relation to the separation of training and examination responsibilities and awarding of each of the five (5) Lots.
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
PRIME PROVIDER - UK BASED LANGUAGE TRAINING
Lot No
1
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 80000000 - Education and training services
- 80580000 - Provision of language courses
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UK - United Kingdom
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
The current language training and examination services contracts for Her Majesty’s Government (HMG) end on 31 March 2022. We (the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, hereafter referred to as ‘the Authority’) are offering 5 lots to suppliers to replace these contracts. Lots 1, 2, 3, and 4 are for language training services and Lot 5 is for examinations services.
UK GOVERNMENT (HMG) PROVISION OF UK-BASED LANGUAGE TRAINING SERVICES – LOT 1 – MAIN PROVIDER
Aim
1. To identify and contract a ‘Main Provider’ to deliver a managed, professional language school including (but not limited to) the following requirements:
• Deliver UK-based language training mapped against the Common European Framework for Languages: https://www.coe.int/en/web/common-european-framework-reference-languages .
• Deliver 3 types of language assessments, including 2 mapped against the Common European Framework for Languages: https://www.coe.int/en/web/common-european-framework-reference-languages .
• Provide central management of the Language Centre at the Authority’s King Charles Street building.
• Deliver administration services.
2. The appointed Main Provider will have full responsibility for delivering the requirements described within this Specification. The Main Provider will be expected to support HMG’s objective of delivering excellence in language training within a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and value for money.
Further information is available via tender documents.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents
two.2.6) Estimated value
Value excluding VAT: £13,708,146
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Start date
1 April 2022
End date
31 March 2025
This contract is subject to renewal
Yes
Description of renewals
3 x 12 month optional extension years are available in addition to the initial contract period
two.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: No
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
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE FOR FRENCH
Lot No
2
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 80000000 - Education and training services
- 80580000 - Provision of language courses
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UK - United Kingdom
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
The current language training and examination services contracts for Her Majesty’s Government (HMG) end on 31 March 2022. We (the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, hereafter referred to as ‘the Authority’) are offering 5 lots to suppliers to replace these contracts. Lots 1, 2, 3, and 4 are for language training services and Lot 5 is for examinations services.
UK GOVERNMENT (HMG) PROVISION OF UK-BASED FRENCH LANGUAGE TRAINING SERVICES – LOT 2 – CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE FOR FRENCH
Aim
1. To identify and contract a ‘Centre of Excellence for French’ to deliver a managed, professional language training service including (but not limited to) the following requirements:
• Deliver UK-based French language training mapped against the Common European Framework for Languages: https://www.coe.int/en/web/common-european-framework-reference-languages .
• Deliver 2 types of French language assessments, both mapped against the Common European Framework for Languages: https://www.coe.int/en/web/common-european-framework-reference-languages .
• Deliver administration services.
2. The appointed Centre of Excellence for French will have full responsibility for delivering the requirements described within this Specification. The Centre of Excellence for French will be expected to support HMG’s objective of delivering excellence in language training within a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and value for money.
Further information is available via tender documents
two.2.5) Award criteria
Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents
two.2.6) Estimated value
Value excluding VAT: £2,436,476
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Start date
1 April 2022
End date
31 March 2025
This contract is subject to renewal
Yes
Description of renewals
3 x 12 month optional extension years are available in addition to the initial contract period
two.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: No
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
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE FOR SPANISH
Lot No
3
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 80000000 - Education and training services
- 80580000 - Provision of language courses
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UK - United Kingdom
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
The current language training and examination services contracts for Her Majesty’s Government (HMG) end on 31 March 2022. We (the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, hereafter referred to as ‘the Authority’) are offering 5 lots to suppliers to replace these contracts. Lots 1, 2, 3, and 4 are for language training services and Lot 5 is for examinations services.
UK GOVERNMENT (HMG) PROVISION OF UK-BASED SPANISH LANGUAGE TRAINING SPECIFICATION – LOT 3 – CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE FOR SPANISH
Aim
To identify and contract a ‘Centre of Excellence for Spanish to deliver a managed, professional language training service including (but not limited to) the following requirements:
• Deliver UK-based Spanish language training mapped against the Common European Framework for Languages: https://www.coe.int/en/web/common-european-framework-reference-languages .
• Deliver 2 types of Spanish language assessments, both mapped against the Common European Framework for Languages: https://www.coe.int/en/web/common-european-framework-reference-languages .
• Deliver administration services.
2. The appointed Centre of Excellence for Spanish will have full responsibility for delivering the requirements described within this Specification. The Centre of Excellence for Spanish will be expected to support HMG’s objective of delivering excellence in language training within a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and value for money.
Further information is available via tender document
1. To identify and contract a ‘Centre of Excellence for Spanish to deliver a managed, professional language training service including (but not limited to) the following requirements:
• Deliver UK-based Spanish language training mapped against the Common European Framework for Languages: https://www.coe.int/en/web/common-european-framework-reference-languages .
• Deliver 2 types of Spanish language assessments, both mapped against the Common European Framework for Languages: https://www.coe.int/en/web/common-european-framework-reference-languages .
• Deliver administration services.
2. The appointed Centre of Excellence for Spanish will have full responsibility for delivering the requirements described within this Specification. The Centre of Excellence for Spanish will be expected to support HMG’s objective of delivering excellence in language training within a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and value for money.
Further information is available via tender document
two.2.5) Award criteria
Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents
two.2.6) Estimated value
Value excluding VAT: £2,616,938
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Start date
1 April 2022
End date
31 March 2025
This contract is subject to renewal
Yes
Description of renewals
3 x 12 month optional extension years are available in addition to the initial contract period
two.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: No
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
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE FOR ARABIC
Lot No
4
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 80000000 - Education and training services
- 80580000 - Provision of language courses
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UK - United Kingdom
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
1. The current language training and examination services contracts for Her Majesty’s Government (HMG) end on 31 March 2022. We (the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, hereafter referred to as ‘the Authority’) are offering 5 lots to suppliers to replace these contracts. Lots 1, 2, 3, and 4 are for language training services and Lot 5 is for examinations services.
UK GOVERNMENT (HMG) PROVISION OF UK-BASED ARABIC LANGUAGE TRAINING SPECIFICATION – LOT 4 – CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE FOR ARABIC
Aim
1. To identify and contract a ‘Centre of Excellence for Arabic’ to deliver a managed, professional language training service including (but not limited to) the following requirements:
• Deliver UK-based Arabic language training mapped against the Common European Framework for Languages: https://www.coe.int/en/web/common-european-framework-reference-languages .
• Deliver 2 types of Arabic language assessments, both mapped against the Common European Framework for Languages: https://www.coe.int/en/web/common-european-framework-reference-languages .
• Deliver administration services.
2. The appointed Centre of Excellence for Arabic will have full responsibility for delivering the requirements described within this Specification. The Centre of Excellence for Arabic will be expected to support HMG’s objective of delivering excellence in language training within a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and value for money.
Further information is available via tender documents
two.2.5) Award criteria
Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents
two.2.6) Estimated value
Value excluding VAT: £4,200,000
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Start date
1 April 2022
End date
31 March 2025
This contract is subject to renewal
Yes
Description of renewals
3 x 12 month optional extension years are available in addition to the initial contract period
two.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: No
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
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
EXAMINATIONS
Lot No
5
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 80000000 - Education and training services
- 80580000 - Provision of language courses
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UK - United Kingdom
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
1. The current language training and examination services contracts for Her Majesty’s Government (HMG) end on 31 March 2022. We (the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, hereafter referred to as ‘the Authority’) are offering 5 lots to suppliers to replace these contracts. Lots 1, 2, 3, and 4 are for language training services and Lot 5 is for examinations services.
UK GOVERNMENT (HMG) PROVISION OF ONLINE LANGUAGE EXAMINATIONS SPECIFICATION – LOT 5 – EXAMINATIONS PROVIDER
Aim
1. To identify and contract an ‘Examinations Provider’ to deliver a managed, professional examination provision including (but not limited to) the following requirements:
• Deliver formal online language examinations mapped against the Common European Framework for Languages (CEFR): https://www.coe.int/en/web/common-european-framework-reference-languages .
• Deliver application, marking, moderation, and appeals services.
• Deliver administration services, including (but not limited to): staffing; examiner selection, training, and monitoring; full service reporting and evaluation.
2. The appointed Examinations Provider will have full responsibility for delivering the requirements described within this Specification. The Examinations Provider will be expected to support HMG’s objective of delivering excellence in language examinations within a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and value for money.
Further information is available via tender documents
two.2.5) Award criteria
Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents
two.2.6) Estimated value
Value excluding VAT: £1,430,820
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Start date
1 April 2022
End date
31 March 2025
This contract is subject to renewal
Yes
Description of renewals
3 x 12 month optional extension years are available in addition to the initial contract period
two.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: No
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.1.2) Economic and financial standing
Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents
three.1.3) Technical and professional ability
Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.1) Type of procedure
Open procedure
four.1.6) Information about electronic auction
An electronic auction will be used
Additional information about electronic auction
The Authority reserves the right to use an electronic auction (e-auction) at it's sole discretion
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.2.1) Previous publication concerning this procedure
Notice number: 2020/S 197-478571
four.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate
Date
28 May 2021
Local time
5:00pm
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
Duration in months: 3 (from the date stated for receipt of tender)
four.2.7) Conditions for opening of tenders
Date
1 June 2021
Local time
12:00pm
Section six. Complementary information
six.1) Information about recurrence
This is a recurrent procurement: No
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
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR ALL POTENTIAL SUPPLIERS
In order to participate and gain access to all documentation in relation to this procurement, potential suppliers should access the FCDO’s e-procurement portal, JAGGAER ONE, available via the below link.
URL: https://fcdo.bravosolution.co.uk/web/login.html
Once logged in, search for project reference 5703 and / or itt_4268
If a potential supplier is not registered on the portal, click the link above to be taken to the home page, click the “Click here to register!” button, and follow the on-screen instructions to complete registration.
Registration takes approximately 5 minutes and is free of charge.
TWO-FACTOR AUTHENTICATION (2FA)
Potential suppliers should note that two-factor authentication will be required to access the FCDO’s e-procurement portal, JAGGAER ONE, which requires Google Authenticator to be downloaded onto a mobile device. For more information in relation to two-factor authentication, a guide can be accessed by clicking the link on the home page of the FCDO’s e-procurement portal, JAGGAER ONE.
FURTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Potential Providers wishing to participate should note that there are 5 lots to this tender. When accessing the project (5703), you must access itt_4268 first. This is the Selection Questionnaire.
Failure to do so means that you will not be able to access any of the Lots 1 - 5 respectively
OTHER DEPARTMENTS, AGENCIES AND PUBLIC BODIES WITH ACCESS TO CONTRACT
The service provision will be available to Central Government Departments, their Executive Agencies and their Non Departmental Public Bodies (NDPBs), and any successors (hereafter Her Majesty’s Government/HMG).
Without limiting the forgoing, the following is an indicative list of the Central Government bodies which will have access to use the contract resulting from this procurement. These contracts will not preclude HMG from sourcing alternative language training and examinations, with the exception of the Authority unless otherwise stated in the Specification:
Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street
Attorney General's Office
Cabinet Office
Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy
Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport
Department for Education
Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs
Department for International Trade
Department for Transport
Department for Work & Pensions
Department of Health & Social Care
HM Treasury
Home Office
Ministry of Defence
Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government
Ministry of Justice
Northern Ireland Office
Office of the Advocate General for Scotland
Office of the Leader of the House of Commons
Office of the Leader of the House of Lords
Office of the Secretary of State for Scotland
Office of the Secretary of State for Wales
UK Export Finance
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
London
SW1A 2AH
Country
United Kingdom
six.4.2) Body responsible for mediation procedures
Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR)
London
Country
United Kingdom
six.4.4) Service from which information about the review procedure may be obtained
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
London
SW1A 2AH
Country
United Kingdom