Scope
Reference
383_25
Description
This is for a Preliminary market engagement (PME), where the tender documentation is not yet available. However, interest (Expressions of interest) can still be registered (see below for details on how to complete, and please also refer to the Engagement Section for further details on this).
The framework provides access to a Managed Service Provider (MSP) for the sourcing, administration and management of customers' training requirements.
To express an interest:
(a) Go to https://www.eastmidstenders.org/; (b) Register (if not already registered on ProContract); (c) Search for tender opportunity '383_25' (via "View Opportunities" from the 'EastMidsTenders' Portal); d) Express an interest.
Please access the Messages area/section of the eProcurement Portal (ProContract / EastMidsTenders - Messages can be accessed via the Activity dashboard once an Expression of interest has been completed) for any further communications on this preliminary market engagement, including the RFI documentation once that is made available.
Further details on the Procurement Act, including registration on the Central Digital Platform, can be found as follows:
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/information-and-guidance-for-suppliers
Or otherwise, please refer to the ESPO Website as follows:
Commercial tool
Establishes a framework
Total value (estimated)
- £48,000,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 12 September 2025 to 11 September 2027
- Possible extension to 11 September 2029
- 4 years
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 79420000 - Management-related services
- 80000000 - Education and training services
Contract locations
- UK - United Kingdom
Engagement
Engagement deadline
9 May 2025
Engagement process description
Suppliers are required to register and complete the relevant stages on the Central Digital Platform (CDP) if they wish to participate in and bid for this framework. Tender Submission deadlines cannot be extended to allow for late supplier registrations to the CDP. Tenderers should be aware that CDP registration could be a prolonged process. How to register on the CDP can be found using the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/procurement-act-2023-short-guides/suppliers-how-to-register-your-organisation-and-first-administrator-on-find-a-tender-in-three-easy-steps-html
The Request for Information (RFI) documents are available on the 'EastMidsTenders' Procurement Portal and the submission deadline is 18th April 2025 at 12.00 noon. Suppliers wishing to participate must first register interest for 383_25 on the Portal found using the following link: https://procontract.due-north.com/Register
The RFI will be made available within a public message on the portal and suppliers should follow the instructions for completing the RFI as shown within the public message and within the RFI itself.
As part of this exercise ESPO has established two RFI questionnaires to inform our exercise:
• RfI Questionnaire 1 Managed Training Services
• RfI Questionnaire 2 Learning Management System
Suppliers will be engaged with to determine:
• If there have been any changes or developments within the market,
• Feedback on ESPO's proposed procurement methodology,
• Any potential risks within the market etc.
• Feedback on our proposed procurement strategy
Following on from the RFI exercise, individual 1-2-1 preliminary market engagement meetings will be held with suppliers, that meet the required criteria for the lot, to gain further information on points raised within the responses to the RFI.
Required criteria.
Lot 1 - Managed Training Services is the provision of a complete service in relation to all (or the majority) of the customer's training requirements. This type of service provision is where a single Managed Service Provider (MSP) takes responsibility for the customer's training by managing a supply chain of training suppliers as opposed to the customer managing a selection of individual training suppliers themselves.
Lot 2 - Learning Management Systems (LMS) allows for the administration, documentation, tracking, reporting and delivery of training requirements. This type of service provision is where the customer will use the LMS to administer, document, track and report on the training within its organisation.
Preliminary market engagement meetings will take place between 28/04/2025 and 02/05/2025.
It is anticipated that suppliers taking part in the preliminary market engagement will not be put at an unfair advantage when bidding for this framework. For the avoidance of doubt, those not participating in the engagement piece will still be able to tender for the framework and it will not mean they are excluded from tendering.
A record of the information shared and received as part of the preliminary market engagement will be kept ensuring that the information gathered is considered in the procurement. An anonymised summary of the information/outcomes will also be shared with other parties and used to help ensure that participating suppliers are not unfairly advantaged.
Participation
Particular suitability
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Submission
Publication date of tender notice (estimated)
19 May 2025
Contracting authority
Leicestershire County Council, trading as ESPO
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PYDD-1122-TCVN
Barnsdale Way, Grove Park, Enderby
Leicester
LE19 1ES
United Kingdom
Contact name: Corporate Solutions Procurement Team
Email: tenders@espo.org
Website: https://www.espo.org/
Region: UKF22 - Leicestershire CC and Rutland
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government