Opportunity

SWAP Consortium

  • West Midlands Combined Authority

F02: Contract notice

Notice reference: 2021/S 000-013413

Published 14 June 2021, 6:00pm



Section one: Contracting authority

one.1) Name and addresses

West Midlands Combined Authority

16 Summer Lane

Birmingham

B19 3SD

Contact

James Vaughan

Email

james.vaughan@schoolsbuyingclub.com

Telephone

+44 8452577050

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code

UKG3 - West Midlands

Internet address(es)

Main address

https://www.wmca.org.uk/

Buyer's address

https://in-tendhost.co.uk/schoolsbuyingclub

one.3) Communication

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

https://in-tendhost.co.uk/schoolsbuyingclub

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/schoolsbuyingclub

Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted to the above-mentioned address

one.4) Type of the contracting authority

Regional or local authority

one.5) Main activity

General public services


Section two: Object

two.1) Scope of the procurement

two.1.1) Title

SWAP Consortium

Reference number

01358-2021

two.1.2) Main CPV code

  • 80000000 - Education and training services

two.1.3) Type of contract

Services

two.1.4) Short description

Through this tender exercise the WMCA is seeking to appoint a Sector Based Work Academy Programmes (SWAP) Lead organisation to develop a SWAP consortium of providers who will deliver the provision across the area for WMCA residents in line with our SWAP ambition. The SWAP Lead will develop a service where its provider members will bring forward applications, underpinned by agreement with the employer, setting out a training plan and the number of the jobs available delivering a job outcome rate of a minimum 65% at 13 weeks.The WMCA will make available £3m on annual basis over a 3-year period which means that the total investment is up to £9m. Contracts will be extended on annual basis subject to performance. Further in-year investment in the SWAP Consortium could take place based on performance. There is a virtual Q/A Session scheduled for 3pm, Tuesday 22nd June, see the PQQ Letter for more details.

two.1.5) Estimated total value

Value excluding VAT: £9,000,000

two.1.6) Information about lots

This contract is divided into lots: No

two.2) Description

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 80000000 - Education and training services

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UKG3 - West Midlands

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) became responsible for the Adult Education Budget (AEB) for its residents from 1st August 2019. Devolved AEB provides funding for adult skills delivery, for residents (aged 19 and over) of the West Midlands’ seven constituent areas (Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall and Wolverhampton).As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic the Universal Credit (UC) claimant rate continues to rise across the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) area, this is against a backdrop of an already high unemployment rate in the West Midlands compared to other regions. To respond to the pandemic, the WMCA is planning to increase its investment in Sector Based Work Academy Programmes (SWAPs) to support both its residents back into work and employers in using SWAP as a recruitment solution.SWAP is a DWP (The Department for Work and Pensions) defined programme that the WMCA funds and delivers through its AEB funding. At present the WMCA invests in SWAP via its current provider base including colleges and local authorities through grant, and through Lot 1 Independent Training Providers (ITP’s) contract for services.SWAP programmes are short sharp programmes lasting no longer that 6-weeks for unemployed individuals. The SWAP programme is developed around the job vacancy/vacancies provided by the employer, and the individual will receive occupational specific pre-employment training, work experience and a guaranteed interview at the end of the training for an actual vacancy.Through this tender exercise the WMCA is seeking to appoint a SWAP Lead organisation to develop a SWAP consortium of providers who will deliver the provision across the area for WMCA residents in line with our SWAP ambition. The SWAP Lead will develop a service where its provider members will bring forward applications, underpinned by agreement with the employer, setting out a training plan and the number of the jobs available delivering a job outcome rate of a minimum 65% at 13 weeks.The WMCA will make available £3m on annual basis over a 3-year period which means that the total investment is up to £9m. Contracts will be extended on annual basis subject to performance. Further in-year investment in the SWAP Consortium could take place based on performance. There is a virtual Q/A Session scheduled for 3pm, Tuesday 22nd June, see the PQQ Letter for more details.

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: £9,000,000

two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system

Duration in months

36

This contract is subject to renewal

No

two.2.9) Information about the limits on the number of candidates to be invited

Envisaged minimum number: 3

Maximum number: 5

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.1.1) Suitability to pursue the professional activity, including requirements relating to enrolment on professional or trade registers

List and brief description of conditions

As per the tendering documentation

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

Competitive dialogue

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

28 June 2021

Local time

12:00pm

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

Royal Court of Justice

Strand

London

WC2A 2LL

Country

United Kingdom