Section one: Contracting authority/entity
one.1) Name and addresses
Welsh Government
Corporate Procurement Services, Cathays Park
Cardiff
CF10 3NQ
CPSProcurementAdvice@gov.wales
Telephone
+44 3000623300
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UKL - Wales
Internet address(es)
Main address
http://wales.gov.uk/?skip=1&lang=en
Buyer's address
https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA0007
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
Apprenticeships Commissioning Programme Wales Framework Agreement
Reference number
F022/2020/2021
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 80000000 - Education and training services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 80000000 - Education and training services
- 80500000 - Training services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKL - Wales
two.2.4) Description of the procurement at the time of conclusion of the contract:
The purpose of the Apprenticeships Commissioning Programme (“ACP”) is to support people in Wales through high quality learning, in order to provide employers with the relevant skilled people to meet the current and future needs of the Welsh economy.
Apprenticeships offer employed learners the opportunity to pursue a Foundation Apprenticeship, Apprenticeship, or Higher Apprenticeship framework. Degree Apprenticeships are excluded from this procurement.
Each framework specifies the learning activities, including, qualifications covering occupational competencies, the relevant technical knowledge, Essential Skills Wales and Employment Rights and Responsibilities (ERR).
The Client is committed to aligning the ACP to the needs of the Welsh economy as outlined in its policy and action plan published in February 2017 - Aligning the Apprenticeship model to the needs of the Welsh economy 2017. The focus is on aligning and raising the level of the skills market designed to meet employer needs with a system that is responsive to industry changes, particularly in the sectors that drive growth and prosperity. The policy reflects the step change towards higher level technical and professional skills, promoting efficiency and portability within our priority sectors.
The Welsh Government is of the view that the option to extend the framework beyond four years is likely to be desirable. Individual participants may be on a vocational Apprenticeship programme for up to four years. In the event the maximum term of the framework mirrors the maximum duration of a vocational Apprenticeship programme, this is likely to result in many apprentices having their learning disrupted as they may be obliged to transfer from an unsuccessful legacy provider to a successful bidder when a future replacement framework is procured.
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement, dynamic purchasing system or concession
Duration in months
72
In the case of framework agreements, provide justification for any duration exceeding 4 years
Adopting a 4 year fixed term framework agreement with the ability to extend up to a maximum of 6 years should provide Welsh Government with the opportunity to limit the number of displaced apprentices that may arise if the procurement process had to be repeated more regularly.
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
Apprenticeships Wales is part funded by European Social Fund (ESF) money, administered under the European Structural and Investment Funds Programmes 2014-2020.
Section four. Procedure
four.2) Administrative information
four.2.1) Contract award notice concerning this contract
Notice number: 2021/S 079-204776
Section five. Award of contract/concession
Contract No
F022/2020/2021
Title
Apprenticeships Commissioning Programme Wales Framework Agreement
five.2) Award of contract/concession
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract/concession award decision:
22 March 2021
five.2.2) Information about tenders
The contract/concession has been awarded to a group of economic operators: Yes
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor/concessionaire
Cambrian Training Company
Coed-y-Dinas
Welshpool
SY218RP
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKL - Wales
The contractor/concessionaire is an SME
Yes
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor/concessionaire
Cardiff & Vale College
47 Colcot Road,
Barry
CF628HJ
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKL - Wales
The contractor/concessionaire is an SME
No
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor/concessionaire
ACT Training
Ocean Park House, East Tyndall Street
Cardiff
CF245ET
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKL22 - Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan
The contractor/concessionaire is an SME
No
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor/concessionaire
Coleg Cambria
Kelsterton Road
Connah's Quay
CH54BR
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UK - United Kingdom
The contractor/concessionaire is an SME
No
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor/concessionaire
Grwp Llandrillo Menai
Coleg Llandrillo
Rhos on Sea
LL284HZ
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UK - United Kingdom
The contractor/concessionaire is an SME
No
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor/concessionaire
Educ8
43 Heol-y-ddol
Caerphilly
CF833JF
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKL - Wales
The contractor/concessionaire is an SME
Yes
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor/concessionaire
Gower College Swansea
Tycoch,
Swansea
SA29EB
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKL - Wales
The contractor/concessionaire is an SME
No
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor/concessionaire
ITEC TRAINING SOLUTIONS LTD
ITEC TRAINING SOLUTIONS LTD, ITEC HOUSE PENARTH ROAD
CARDIFF
CF118TT
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKL - Wales
The contractor/concessionaire is an SME
Yes
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor/concessionaire
NEATH PORT TALBOT COLLEGE
NEATH PORT TALBOT COLLEGE, DWR-Y-FELIN RD
NEATH
SA107RF
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKL - Wales
The contractor/concessionaire is an SME
No
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor/concessionaire
Pembrokeshire College
Merlins Bridge
Haverfordwest
sa611sz
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKL - Wales
The contractor/concessionaire is an SME
No
five.2.4) Information on value of the contract/lot/concession (at the time of conclusion of the contract;excluding VAT)
Total value of the procurement: £1,061,600,000
Section six. Complementary information
six.3) Additional information
(WA Ref:141070)
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
High Court
Royal Courts of Justice, The Strand
London
WC2A 2LL
Telephone
+44 2079477501
Country
United Kingdom
Section seven: Modifications to the contract/concession
seven.1) Description of the procurement after the modifications
seven.1.1) Main CPV code
- 80000000 - Education and training services
seven.1.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 80500000 - Training services
seven.1.3) Place of performance
NUTS code
- UKL - Wales
seven.1.4) Description of the procurement:
Whilst we have emerged from the impact of COVID-19 we now have a cost of living crisis therefore we have a recognised economic need to support disabled individuals into education, employment, or training during the current financial year.
The Welsh Government are therefore extending the EIS for disabled apprentices until 31 March 2025. We believe there is a need for targeted support to address employer concerns over employing a disabled person. The introduction of the Employer Incentive Payment for disabled people has been a significant factor to maintaining an increase in disabled apprenticeship starts, which have grown to over 9%. Whilst the labour market is now improving it is expected that numbers of disabled people seeking employment will rise and we therefore need to continue to offer EIS support to employers in order to help them continue to provide opportunities for disabled apprentices. We will strictly monitor the uptake of the programme. We will also reserve the right to suspend AEIS payments if it appears that demand is at risk of exceeding the available budget.
The AEIS payment supports the commitment to continue developing a culture where recruiting an apprentice becomes the norm for employers in addition to recognising the need to make apprenticeships a credible alternative to the academic route for young people.
In recognition of the administrative burden placed on lead providers in managing the Apprentice Employer Incentive payment process and collating relevant evidence to support payments, we will award providers an administration fee for each learner recruited under this incentive programme. This fee is set at GBP 100 (inclusive of VAT) per learner and will be payable in full once the learner has been employed for 4 weeks.
Further details of payments available to employers in relation to the Apprentice Employer Incentive can be found here: https://businesswales.gov.wales/skillsgateway/skills-and-training-programmes/apprenticeships/funding-available
seven.1.5) Duration of the contract, framework agreement, dynamic purchasing system or concession
Duration in months
72
seven.1.6) Information on value of the contract/lot/concession (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot/concession:
£1,061,600,000
seven.1.7) Name and address of the contractor/concessionaire
Cambrian Training Company
Coed-y-Dinas
Welshpool
SY218RP
Telephone
+44 00000000000
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKL - Wales
The contractor/concessionaire is an SME
Yes
seven.1.7) Name and address of the contractor/concessionaire
Cardiff & Vale College
47 Colcot Road,
Barry
CF628HJ
Telephone
+44 00000000000
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKL - Wales
The contractor/concessionaire is an SME
No
seven.1.7) Name and address of the contractor/concessionaire
ACT Training
Ocean Park House, East Tyndall Street
Cardiff
CF245ET
Telephone
+44 00000000000
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKL22 - Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan
The contractor/concessionaire is an SME
No
seven.1.7) Name and address of the contractor/concessionaire
Coleg Cambria
Kelsterton Road
Connah's Quay
CH54BR
Telephone
+44 00000000000
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKL - Wales
The contractor/concessionaire is an SME
No
seven.1.7) Name and address of the contractor/concessionaire
Grwp Llandrillo Menai
Grwp Llandrillo Menai, Llandudno Road, Rhos-on-Sea
Conwy
LL284HZ
Telephone
+44 0000000000
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKL - Wales
The contractor/concessionaire is an SME
No
seven.1.7) Name and address of the contractor/concessionaire
Educ8
43 Heol-y-ddol
Caerphilly
CF833JF
Telephone
+44 00000000000
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKL - Wales
The contractor/concessionaire is an SME
Yes
seven.1.7) Name and address of the contractor/concessionaire
Gower College Swansea
Tycoch,
Swamsea
SA29EB
Telephone
+44 00000000000
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKL - Wales
The contractor/concessionaire is an SME
No
seven.1.7) Name and address of the contractor/concessionaire
ITEC TRAINING SOLUTIONS LTD
ITEC TRAINING SOLUTIONS LTD, ITEC HOUSE PENARTH ROAD
CARDIFF
CF118TT
Telephone
+44 00000000000
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKL - Wales
The contractor/concessionaire is an SME
Yes
seven.1.7) Name and address of the contractor/concessionaire
Neath Port Talbot College
Dwr y Felin Road, Neath
Neath Port Talbot
SA107RF
Telephone
+44 00000000000
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKL - Wales
The contractor/concessionaire is an SME
No
seven.1.7) Name and address of the contractor/concessionaire
Pembrokeshire College
Merlins Bridge
Haverfordwest
SA611SZ
Telephone
+44 00000000000
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKL - Wales
The contractor/concessionaire is an SME
No
seven.2) Information about modifications
seven.2.1) Description of the modifications
Nature and extent of the modifications (with indication of possible earlier changes to the contract):
The Welsh Government has extended the financial incentives to encourage employers to recruit disabled apprentices until 31 March 2025. The Welsh economy is emerging from the COVID pandemic, however with the cost-of-living crisis effecting both individuals and businesses, we believe the continuation of the AEIS for disabled apprentices is needed to help encourage employers to employ a disabled person during to current climate. We believe that the disabled AEIS is crucial in supporting employers who have been negatively impacted in the Welsh labour market.
Providers contracted under the ACP framework will be able to claim a management fee in recognition of the additional administration needed. Providers will receive a payment of GBP 100 per apprentice supported via the AEIS. The maxim administration payment paid to providers will not exceed GBP 19,000 during financial year 2024 – 2025.
seven.2.2) Reasons for modification
Need for additional works, services or supplies by the original contractor/concessionaire.
Description of the economic or technical reasons and the inconvenience or duplication of cost preventing a change of contractor:
Noting the limited duration/ value of the disabled AEIS, ACP providers are best placed to deliver for technical reasons given the relevant systems, information on employers and apprentices they have in place, to ensure efficacy of the scheme. Appointing alternative providers would result in unnecessary cost duplication, (1)setting up separate EIS administration systems, such as, data sharing agreements with the ACP providers to obtain details of the relevant employers and apprentices; (2)significant liaison with ACP providers to confirm details pertinent to each apprentice including confirming each learner has started their apprenticeship, and is employed within 14 weeks from apprenticeship start to ensure AEIS payments are paid in a timely manner. The payment to the provider of GBP100 per apprentice would not be satisfactory recompense to warrant establishing a separate framework of providers for the disabled AEIS. The maximum amount paid to ACP providers will not exceed GBP 19,000.
seven.2.3) Increase in price
Updated total contract value before the modifications (taking into account possible earlier contract modifications, price adaptions and average inflation)
Value excluding VAT: £1,061,600,000
Total contract value after the modifications
Value excluding VAT: £1,062,000,000