Scope
Description
Connect to Work will be delivered using two of the most recognised quality standards for supported employment: IPS and SEQF. The Fidelity Assurance requirement supplements the delivery of Connect to Work by supporting delivery partners in following the requirements of the IPS and SEQF supported employment models. Both models have Fidelity Scales. The Fidelity Assurance Supplier will be required to deliver the Fidelity Assurance services across England and Wales.
DWP will fund delivery of the Fidelity Assurance requirement for IPS and SEQF through one contract. The Authority has considered whether the Fidelity Assurance services could reasonably be supplied under more than one contract by dividing the procurement into lots based on geographical area. The Authority has concluded that splitting the procurement into lots could make the requirement disproportionately expensive to manage and increase the technical risk to deliver the requirement.
The Authority currently anticipates awarding a contract for the Fidelity Assurance services for an initial period of 56 months with an option (subject to governance approval, available funding and satisfactory performance) for the Authority to extend the contract for a further period of up to 24 months by giving the Supplier written notice of no less than 3 Months before the initial term of the Contract expires, unless terminated earlier in accordance with the provisions of the Contract. As set out in the Tender Notice, the estimated total value of the contract (including the option to extend referred to above) is anticipated to be £11,750,000 exclusive of VAT.
The indicative value of the initial contract term is £7,750,000 exclusive of VAT and any potential extensions.
The Authority intends to award a public contract under section 19 of the Procurement Act 2023. The award of that public contract will be through an open procedure in accordance with section 20(1) and (2)(a) of the PA 2023, This procurement for the award of that public contract is being conducted in accordance with sections 20(1) and (2)(a) the Procurement Act 2023 as an open procedure for the award of a light touch contract.
The award criteria will be based on the most advantageous tender (MAT) using a Price per Quality Point (PQP) model, which assesses the quantitative relationship between the potential Supplier's ("Supplier")'s quality score and price, all as described more fully in the Fidelity Assurance Instructions to Suppliers which is included in the associated tender documents. The Authority will produce a final ranking of the Tender Responses taking into account any adjustments made following any clarifications by the Authority.
Each Supplier will be required, as part of its Tender to submit to the Authority, via the Portal, three (3) "envelopes" as follows:
The Qualification Envelope contains the Procurement Specific Questionnaire which assesses the ability and suitability of Suppliers to deliver the Authority's requirements and also assesses the Suppliers' ability to meet specific eligibility questions and conditions of participation. The Qualification Envelope must be fully completed, and Suppliers must pass all applicable questions set out in the Procurement Specific Questionnaire (these will be assessed in accordance with the methodology set out in the Tender Notice and the associated tender documents). If further information is required by the Authority and the Supplier does not promptly provide information reasonably requested by the Authority, and/or after consideration of the information by the Authority, the Supplier fails to pass one or more of the questions set out in the Procurement Specific Questionnaire, the Authority will not proceed to assess the Technical and Commercial Envelopes for that Supplier.
The Technical Envelope must be fully completed, and all questions responded to as directed. Suppliers' responses will be used for assessing an overall "Quality" score in relation to each Tender that has fully complied with the Qualification Envelope. Where questions are included but not scored as part of the Quality evaluation, this is clearly indicated within the Technical Envelope with a maximum score of zero.
The Commercial Envelope must be fully completed, and all questions responded to as directed using the Contract Cost Register and the Financial Ratios Template on the Portal in accordance with the guidance therein. The Supplier's completed Contract Cost Register and Financial Ratios Template will be used by the Authority for assessing an overall Total Contract Price in relation to each Tender that has fully complied with the Qualification Envelope and the financial capacity of the Supplier. The Contract Cost Register and Financial Ratios Template will be assessed separately to the Technical Envelope.
The Authority will score eligibility questions as described in Parts 1, 2 and 3 of the PSQ. To score a "pass", the Tender Response must adequately address all key points and include supporting evidence/information where requested.
Any Supplier that answers "Yes" to any of the mandatory and/or discretionary exclusion grounds or by virtue of any associated persons or subcontractors must provide information to support an assessment of whether the circumstances giving rise to the exclusion ground are continuing or likely to occur again, which is known as "Self-Cleaning". The responses must give a reasonable degree of confidence to Authority that the circumstances giving rise to the exclusion ground are not continuing or likely to occur again.
In the event that the evidence presented does not provide a reasonable degree of confidence to the Authority that the circumstances giving rise to the exclusion ground are not continuing or likely to occur again, the score for the relevant question(s) will be scored as a "fail", the Supplier becomes an 'excluded supplier' or an 'excludable supplier' depending on whether mandatory or discretionary exclusion grounds and the Authority will treat the Tender as non-compliant and reject it.
The Tenders that pass all applicable questions as set out in the PSQ will proceed to have their Technical Envelope responses assessed in accordance with the Qualitative Scoring Methodology and their Commercial Envelope responses assessed in accordance with the Financial Evaluation Methodology.
The Qualitative Scoring Methodology is included in the associated tender documents.
Qualitative question 2.2.1 Implementation will be scored against a Pass/Fail basis, with a score of 3 (Satisfactory) or above being required to achieve a 'pass'. The score for this question will not be included in the final Technical Score used to calculate the PQP Score.
The Authority will reject any Tender where a response is scored 0 (Poor) or 1 (Limited) in any of the qualitative questions within the technical envelope.
The Financial Evaluation methodology will comprise of two key elements. The Authority will undertake the financial evaluation in two stages:
Part 1 - Detailed review and clarification
A detailed review of tenders to ensure the consistency of financial and non-financial information. This review will ensure that prices offered are sustainable and in line with more detailed cost assumptions. The detailed costs in the Contract Cost Register will be cross-referenced to the information provided within the quality elements of the proposal to ensure that the information correlates. If there are any discrepancies or ambiguities, these may be clarified with Suppliers.
Part 2 - Fidelity Assurance financial offer, scoring and ranking
Scoring will be undertaken on a Price per Quality Point model using Total Contract Price, as determined after any adjustments have been made following any clarifications and the application of the QF Score. The Authority will then produce a final ranking of the Fidelity Assurance Tenders by applying the methodology set out below.
There are two stages to determine the final ranking of the Tender Responses.
The first stage is to calculate an initial Price per Quality Point Score for each assessed Fidelity Assurance Tender using the following calculation:
Initial PQP Score = Total Contract Price divided by the Total Quality Score
The initial PQP Score will be rounded to 2 decimal places.
The second stage is to apply a Quality Factor (QF) Score using the calculation below:
Quality Factor (QF) Score = (1 - (Supplier Total Quality Score divided by the Maximum Total Quality Score)) + 1
The QF Score will be rounded to 3 decimal places.
The purpose of the QF Score is to put additional weight on the Quality score. The closer the Supplier's Total Quality Score is to the Maximum Total Quality Score, the smaller the impact of the QF Score has on the final PQP Score. The further away the Supplier's Total Quality Score is from the Maximum Total Quality Score, the bigger the impact the QF Score will have on the Supplier's final PQP Score.
The final PQP Score is determined using the following calculation:
Final PQP Score = QF Score multiplied by the Initial PQP Score
The final PQP Score will be rounded to 2 decimal places and the Supplier with the lowest final PQP Score after the application of the QF Score will be awarded the contract.
Total value (estimated)
- £11,750,000 excluding VAT
- £14,100,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 August 2025 to 31 March 2030
- Possible extension to 31 March 2032
- 6 years, 8 months
Description of possible extension:
The Authority currently anticipates awarding a contract for the services for an initial period of 56 months with an option (subject to governance approval, available funding and satisfactory performance) for the Authority to extend the contract for a further period of up to 24 months by giving the Supplier written notice of no less than 3 Months before the initial period of the contract expires, unless terminated earlier in accordance with the provisions of the Contract.
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 75112000 - Administrative services for business operations
- 75121000 - Administrative educational services
- 75122000 - Administrative healthcare services
- 80500000 - Training services
Contract locations
- UKC - North East (England)
- UKD - North West (England)
- UKE - Yorkshire and the Humber
- UKF - East Midlands (England)
- UKG - West Midlands (England)
- UKH - East of England
- UKI - London
- UKJ - South East (England)
- UKK - South West (England)
- UKL - Wales
Participation
Legal and financial capacity conditions of participation
The questions within the Procurement Specific Questionnaire relating to Financial Capacity Conditions are listed below:
PSQ 13 - Are you intending to rely on another supplier to act as a guarantor?
If you have answered no please go to PSQ 15
PSQ 13 (a) - If you are proposing to rely on another supplier to act as a guarantor please provide the following details:
- Full name of immediate parent company,
- Registered or head office address,
- Registration number (if applicable),
- VAT number (if applicable),
PSQ 14 - Please confirm whether you already have, or can commit to obtain, by the commencement of the contract, the levels of insurance cover indicated below:
Employer's (Compulsory) Liability Insurance* = £5m
Public Liability Insurance = £5m
PSQ 14 (a) - Insert details of your insurances already in place or insurances which would be obtained following contract award (including information on how you will obtain this insurance - e.g. a quote)
The questions within the Procurement Specific Questionnaire relating to Legal Capacity Conditions are listed below:
PSQ 15 - Please confirm that you have in place, or that you will have in place by contract award, the human and technical resources to perform the contract to ensure compliance with the UK General Data Protection Regulations and to ensure the protection of the rights of data subjects.
PSQ 15 (a) Please provide details of the technical facilities and measures (including systems and processes) you have in place, or will have in place by contract award, to ensure compliance with the UK data protection law and to ensure the protection of the rights of data subjects. Your response should include, but should not be limited to facilities and measures:
● to ensure ongoing confidentiality, integrity, availability and resilience of processing systems and services;
● to comply with the rights of data subjects in respect of receiving privacy information, and access, rectification, deletion and portability of personal data;
● to ensure that any consent based processing meets standards of active, informed consent, and that such consents are recorded and auditable;
● to ensure legal safeguards are in place to legitimise transfers of personal data outside the UK (if such transfers will take place);
● to maintain records of personal data processing activities; and
● to regularly test, assess and evaluate the effectiveness of the above measures.
Tackling Modern Slavery in Supply Chains (Central Government Contracts)
Any modern slavery statement or other statement or document should contain at least the following information:
a. the organisation's structure, its business and its supply chains;
b. its policies in relation to slavery and human trafficking;
c. its due diligence processes in relation to slavery and human trafficking in its business and supply chains;
d. the parts of its business and supply chains where there is a risk of slavery and human trafficking taking place, and the steps it has taken to assess and manage that risk;
e. its effectiveness in ensuring that slavery and human trafficking is not taking place in its business or supply chains, measured against such performance indicators as it considers appropriate;
f. the training and capacity building about slavery and human trafficking available to its staff.
PSQ 16 - If you are a relevant commercial organisation subject to Section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015, and if your latest statement is available electronically please provide:
● the web address,
● precise reference of the documents.
If it is not available electronically, please state this and go to question PSQ 16 (a)
PSQ 16 (a) - If your latest statement is not available electronically, please provide a copy.
PSQ 16 (b) - If you are not a relevant commercial organisation subject to Section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 (for example if your turnover is less than £36 million or you do not carry on your business, or part of your business, in the UK), please provide a link to an equivalent statement or document which demonstrates information to a to f above.
PSQ 16 (c) - If all the information set out in a to f above is not included in your modern slavery statement or other statement or documents, please provide an explanation as to why not and/or assurances that it will be included before contract award.
Particular suitability
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Submission
Enquiry deadline
27 March 2025, 11:00am
Tender submission deadline
1 April 2025, 11:00am
Submission address and any special instructions
The Authority uses the eProcurement portal Jaggaer (formerly Bravo Solution) ("Portal") to conduct all Commercial activities. Associated tender documents are listed below and accessible to Suppliers within ITT_22170.
Fidelity Assurance Open Procedure - Instructions to Suppliers and appendices
Appendix B - Fidelity Assurance Specification
Appendix D - The draft contract terms
Appendix F - Form of tender
Appendix G - Certificate of non-collusion and non-canvassing
Appendix H - Commercially sensitive information
Appendix J - Technical Qualitative Questions
Appendix K - Contract Cost Register
Appendix L - Financial Ratios Template
Appendix M - Information Security Questionnaire
Appendix N - TUPE - Contrary view to the Authority [optional]
How to Express Interest in this Tender:
1. Register on the Portal (this is only required once):
https://dwp.bravosolution.co.uk & click the link to register - Accept the terms & conditions & click 'continue' - Enter your correct business & user details - Note your chosen username & click 'Save'. You will receive an email with your password (keep this secure)
2. Express an Interest in the tender - Login to the Portal with the username/password - Click the 'PQQs / ITTs Open To All Suppliers' link. (These are Pre-Qualification Questionnaires or Invitations to Tender open to any registered supplier) - Click on the relevant exercise to access the content. - Click the 'Express Interest' button at the top of the page. - This will move the PQQ /ITT into your 'My PQQs/ My ITTs' page. (A secure area reserved for your projects only) -You can now access any attachments by clicking 'Buyer Attachments' in the 'PQQ/ ITT Details' box
3. Responding to the tender - Click 'My Response' under 'PQQ/ ITT Details', you can choose to 'Create Response' or to 'Decline to Respond' (please give a reason if declining) - You can now use the 'Messages' function to communicate with the Authority and seek any clarification - Note the deadline for completion. Follow the onscreen instructions to complete the PQQ/ ITT - There may be a mixture of online & offline actions to complete (detailed online help available). To submit your reply use the 'Submit Response' button (top of the page).
For further assistance please consult the online help, or the eTendering help desk.
A Tender Launch Event will be held on 12 March 2025 10:00 - 11:30. The session will cover the Competitive Tendering Procedure and is an opportunity for Suppliers to ask any clarification questions.
Suppliers wanting to attend the virtual event at 10:00 on Wednesday 12th March 2025, are required to use the messaging facility within ITT_22170 to provide the Authority with a list of attendee names and email addresses by 17:00 on 10/03/2025.
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
30 June 2025
Award criteria
| Name | Description | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Q2.2.1 Implementation | Please set out an Implementation plan that demonstrates how you will implement the Fidelity Assurance services in accordance with the requirements set out in the Specification. Your response should... |
Quality |
| Q2.2.2 Establishing and maintaining the IPS and SEQF (Supported Employment) Expert Reference Groups | Please provide a detailed description of how you will identify and engage with potential IPS and SEQF experts to form part of the Expert Reference Groups (ERGs), specifically in relation to paragraph... |
Quality |
| Q2.2.3 Engagement with Accountable Bodies, Delivery Partners and DWP | Please describe how you will engage with Accountable Bodies, their Delivery Partners and DWP, specifically in relation to paragraphs 2.5, 2.10 to and including 2.15 of the Fidelity Assurance... |
Quality |
| Q2.2.4 Fidelity Assessment Delivery Model | Please provide a detailed description of how you will deliver the Fidelity Assessments in line with the requirements set out in paragraph 2.7 to and including paragraph 2.9, paragraph 2.16 to and... |
Quality |
| Q2.2.5 Fidelity Assessment Report | Please provide a detailed description of how you will create and disseminate the Fidelity Assessment Reports in line with the requirements set out in paragraph 2.28 to and including paragraph 2.32 of... |
Quality |
| Q2.2.6 Local Community of Practice | Please provide a detailed description of how you will facilitate the Local Community of Practice in line with the requirements set out in paragraph 2.33 to and including paragraph 2.38 of the Fidelity... |
Quality |
| Q2.2.7 Fidelity Assurance SMART Action Plan Refinement | Please provide a detailed description of how you will facilitate the virtual interactions with the Accountable Bodies and/or their Delivery Partners to assist in the refinement of their Fidelity... |
Quality |
| Q2.2.8 Social Value - Theme 4: Equal Opportunity | Please describe the commitment your organisation will make to ensure that opportunities under the Fidelity Assurance contract deliver the policy outcome to reduce the disability employment gap in line... |
Quality |
| Contract Cost Register | Suppliers will be required to complete a Contract Cost Register for the delivery of the Fidelity Assurance Services and Deliverables showing their indicative total contract price for the initial... |
Price |
Weighting description
Q2.2.1 = Pass/Fail where a minimum score of 3 (Satisfactory) is required
Q2.2.2 = Weighting: x 10 - Maximum achievable score: 70
Q2.2.3 = Weighting: x 10 - Maximum achievable score: 70
Q2.2.4 = Weighting: x 20 - Maximum achievable score: 140
Q2.2.5 = Weighting: x 10 - Maximum achievable score: 70
Q2.2.6 = Weighting: x 10 - Maximum achievable score: 70
Q2.2.7 = Weighting: x 10 - Maximum achievable score: 70
Q2.2.8 = Weighting: x 8 - Maximum achievable score: 56
The maximum score available in respect of...
Other information
Payment terms
The Fidelity Assurance Supplier must be prepared to use electronic purchase to pay (P2P) routes, including Catalogue and eInvoicing. The Fidelity Assurance Supplier must be prepared to work with the Authority to set up and test all electronic P2P routes. This may involve creating technical ordering and invoice files, including working with our ERP system service suppliers and systems.
Description of risks to contract performance
Volume of Fidelity Assessments
The Volume of Fidelity Assessments are driven by the number of Delivery Partners instructed by Accountable Bodies to carry out any part of Connect to Work on behalf of the Accountable Body in the Delivery Area. Until a Delivery Area commences delivery of Connect to Work it is not known how many Delivery Partners will be delivering Connect to Work in that Delivery Area. If the average number of Delivery Partners across all Delivery Areas exceeds the Should Cost Model assumptions of 10 per Delivery Area, there is a risk that the contract cannot be performed to the satisfaction of the Authority. The risk is assigned to the Fidelity Assurance Supplier. The contract addresses some of the potential impacts of such risks through the structure of the KPIs which provide the Fidelity Assurance Supplier at least 9 months' notice prior to the Fidelity Assessment being required and a 4 month window to carry out each Fidelity Assessment.
Applicable trade agreements
- Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Special regime
Light touch
Justification for not publishing a preliminary market engagement notice
A Prior Information Notice has been published on Find a Tender on 27 January 2025 with the following procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-04d68c
Documents
Associated tender documents
https://www.dwp.bravosolution.co.uk
https://dwp.bravosolution.co.uk
The Authority uses the eProcurement portal Jaggaer (formerly Bravo Solution) ("Portal") to conduct all Commercial activities. Associated tender documents are listed below and accessible to Suppliers within ITT_22170.
Fidelity Assurance Open Procedure - Instructions to Suppliers and appendices
A Tender Launch Event will be held on 12 March 2025 10:00 - 11:30. The session will cover the Competitive Tendering Procedure and is an opportunity for Suppliers to ask any clarification questions. Suppliers wanting to attend the virtual event at 10:00 on Wednesday 12th March 2025, are required to use the messaging facility within ITT_22170 to provide the Authority with a list of attendee names and email addresses by 17:00 on 10/03/2025.
Technical specifications to be met
https://www.dwp.bravosolution.co.uk
The Authority uses the eProcurement portal Jaggaer (formerly Bravo Solution) ("Portal") to conduct all Commercial activities. Associated tender documents are listed below and accessible to Suppliers within ITT_22170.
Appendix B Fidelity Assurance Specification
Contracting authority
Department for Work & Pensions
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PJCP-7274-TLRQ
Third Floor, Hartshead Square
Sheffield
S1 2FD
United Kingdom
Region: UKE32 - Sheffield
Organisation type: Public authority - central government