Scope
Reference
E011PA
Description
Previous requirements for these services have been deployed to support the organisation meet the demands placed on it through significant changes to how public services are delivered. These deployments have been on an ad-hoc basis.
We are now looking to implement a new contractual arrangement to continue this work and support an increasing demand for continuous improvement and change over the next 3 years.
On average we have delivered 6 Yellow Belt training courses of up to 14 people, per course, on a yearly basis. There has been on average 6 employees attending open green belt training and 6 white belt training courses with 2-3, 1 hour lunch and learn sessions.
For Change, we previously delivered around 12 specific 'change' related capability building sessions as part of our LearnFest annual learning programme. These have included topics relating to Leading Change, Managing Change and Change Culture. In addition, the CCoP, launch in June 25, have delivered approx. 4 sessions a month, plus two sessions for Management Fundamentals.
The scope of this requirement is to deliver Continuous Improvement and Change training and mentoring across Essex County Council. Whilst both are in scope, Change Capability has been added as an additional service.
There could be potential for the range of services to change, the scope of work, to expand or reduce; furthermore, the range of materials could increase, decrease or for new products to be included or substituted as technology develops.
Where there is a requirement for additional services then Bidders will need to ensure themselves that they meet these requirements, before submitting their response. There is no guarantee that these services will be required.
The size of cohorts and number of sessions per annum will be agreed by all parties prior to commencement of the services. The number of sessions per annum may vary dependant on demand.
The main location of the population is County Hall, Chelmsford, Essex. However, ECC staff work on a hybrid basis (incorporating working from other locations, alongside working from the office as required). This means delivery of development services will need to be truly blended, including some virtual and some on-site face to face delivery (at Council sites across the County) for the duration of this contract. Our channel of choice for virtual delivery is Microsoft Teams (though staff can also access other platforms).
The Bidder will not be required to arrange meeting rooms for face-to-face sessions as this will be managed by ECC.
Contract length of 36 months with no extension options.
Every digital service that ECC provides must be accessible to as many people as possible and must be compliant with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.2). This includes standalone digital services and digital services that form part of the delivery of a wider requirement, applicable requirements may be subject to successfully completing accessibility testing undertaken by ECC, before they can be accepted.
Total value (estimated)
- £480,000 excluding VAT
- £576,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2029
- 3 years
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 80530000 - Vocational training services
Contract locations
- UKH3 - Essex
Participation
Particular suitability
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
Submission
Enquiry deadline
27 February 2026, 5:00pm
Tender submission deadline
13 March 2026, 3:00pm
Submission address and any special instructions
The tender can be accessed via https://procontract.due-north.com/Opportunities/Index, project reference DN807139
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
23 March 2026
Award criteria
| Name | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Technical Quality | Quality | 65% |
| Price | Price | 30% |
| Social Value | Quality | 5% |
Other information
Description of risks to contract performance
The government's English Devolution White Paper, Power and Partnership: Foundations for Growth, published on 16 December 2024, states that the government wants all remaining two-tier areas in England to be eventually restructured into single-tier unitary authorities and is termed Local Government Reorganisation (LGR). This reorganisation is part of a broader devolution strategy to simplify local government structures, save public funds, and improve local accountability. LGR will impact the County of Essex as it currently operates a two-tier Local Government structure.
It is anticipated, that during the life of this contract, the LGR process will commence and/or progress potentially impacting this contract. Impacts may include, but are not limited to, modifications such as a transfer of the legal entity you currently contract with, significant increases and/or decreases in the value/volume of services required due to the change in size/scope of the Contracting Authority, and/or changes to the scope of the nature of service required. Although any contract scope changes should broadly relate to the nature of the existing scope, new services of a related nature may be required that were not previously included.
The scale and exact timing of the changes are unknown at this point, but it is known that LGR will impact the County of Essex. All suppliers who work with the Authority need to be aware and where possible, work with the Authority to adapt to any changes/modifications as required to ensure smooth transition and continuity of services.
Applicable trade agreements
- Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Special regime
Light touch
Reduced tendering period
Yes
Light touch contract - no minimum
Documents
Associated tender documents
E011PA CI Training Specification.docx
Continuous Improvement Capability - specification of requirements
Contracting authority
Essex County Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PWVM-4844-NRQH
County Hall, Market Road
Chelmsford
CM1 1QH
United Kingdom
Email: abbey.wellington@essex.gov.uk
Website: https://procontract.due-north.com
Region: UKH36 - Heart of Essex
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government