Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
Department for Education
Sanctuary Buildings, 20, Great Smith Street
London
SW1P 3BT
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UK - United Kingdom
Internet address(es)
Main address
https://education.app.jaggaer.com
one.3) Communication
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at
https://education.app.jaggaer.com
Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address
Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted electronically via
https://education.app.jaggaer.com
Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted to the above-mentioned address
Electronic communication requires the use of tools and devices that are not generally available. Unrestricted and full direct access to these tools and devices is possible, free of charge, at
https://education.app.jaggaer.com
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Ministry or any other national or federal authority
one.5) Main activity
Education
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
Erasmus+ and ESC Residual Services and Temporary Worker Visa Sponsorship Services (Tier 5)
Reference number
Project_5833
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 75100000 - Administration services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
Following market engagement, the Department for Education is now conducting a Procurement exercise for Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps (ESC) Residual Activity Services and Temporary Worker Visa Sponsorship Services (Tier 5).
This procurement is divided into 2 Lots:
* Lot 1 - Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps (ESC) Residual Activity Services
* Lot 2 - Temporary Worker Visa Sponsorship Services (Tier 5)
Each Lot will be evaluated and awarded independently. Tenderers can bid for and be awarded for one or both Lots, and consortia bids are welcome for each Lot.
Lot 1 summary:
Although the UK is no longer an EU member state, the Withdrawal Agreement in place between the UK and EU requires all projects selected and funded under the Erasmus+ programme 2014-2020 will continue to operate until their completion on the same basis under which they were selected. Accordingly, the Department as National Authority for the programme in the UK is required to ensure ongoing delivery of its obligations to the programme until complete. It is expected that the relevant project activities will continue until the end of the academic year 2023-2024 and will be administered by a National Agency appointed by the National Authority and acting under the delegation of the European Commission. Information about the Erasmus+ programme can be found at https://ec.europa.eu/programmes/erasmus-plus/node_en or www.erasmusplus.org.uk
Services under Lot 1 include but are not limited to:
• Checks of grant beneficiaries, including compliance checks and assessments
• Monitoring and support to beneficiaries
• Interim and Final project report assessments and payments
• Recovery of EU funds from beneficiaries and managing waivers
• Financial management of relevant EU funds and payment requests
• National Agency reporting for European Commission (e.g. Yearly Reports, Audit requirements)
Lot 2 summary:
From 1 January 2021 EU nationals are subject to the new points-based immigration system. The Erasmus+ programme is defined by Home Office as a Government Authorised Exchange (GAE) programme and EU nationals taking part in Erasmus+ work mobilities (e.g. Higher Education traineeships, Further Education work experience, staff mobilities, etc.) are required to have a Temporary Worker - GAE Visa (T5) before entering the UK. Individuals must secure a “Certificate of Sponsorship” and the Department require an appointed sponsor (who will need to hold or secure a relevant Home Office licence) to administer the certificates and undertake relevant monitoring activity on its behalf. Further information about the Temporary Work visa and Sponsorship obligations can be found at www.gov.uk/government-authorised-exchange and www.gov.uk/government/collections/sponsorship-information-for-employers-and-educators
Services under Lot 2 include but are not limited to:
• Receive applications for Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) from the sending organisation or individuals who want to enter the United Kingdom under the provisions of the 2014-2020 Erasmus+ Programme.
• Process CoS applications, assessing the migrant's documents and details about their address in the UK and duration of stay.
• Issuing CoS to successful applicants in a timely fashion, where applicable, processing payment for CoS.
• Fulfil necessary monitoring and reporting duties.
• Comply with Home Office guidelines.
Further information is included in the ITT pack.
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: Yes
Tenders may be submitted for all lots
Maximum number of lots that may be awarded to one tenderer: 2
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps (ESC) Residual Activity Services
Lot No
1
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 75121000 - Administrative educational services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UK - United Kingdom
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
Services under Lot 1 include but are not limited to:
• Checks of grant beneficiaries, including compliance checks and assessments
• Monitoring and support to beneficiaries
• Interim and Final project report assessments and payments
• Recovery of EU funds from beneficiaries and managing waivers
• Financial management of relevant EU funds and payment requests
• National Agency reporting for European Commission (e.g. Yearly Reports, Audit requirements)
Lot 1 Contract Value:
The estimated value of the Lot 1 services is £12 Million.
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: £12,000,000
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Start date
1 November 2021
End date
31 March 2025
This contract is subject to renewal
No
two.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: No
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: Yes
Description of options
There is a contract optional extension available. The Department may extend the Term of the Contract for up to 12 months.
two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
Temporary Worker Visa Sponsorship Services (Tier 5)
Lot No
2
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 75131000 - Government services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UK - United Kingdom
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
Services under Lot 2 include but are not limited to:
• Receive applications for Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) from the sending organisation or individuals who want to enter the United Kingdom under the provisions of the 2014-2020 Erasmus+ Programme.
• Process CoS applications, assessing the migrant's documents and details about their address in the UK and duration of stay.
• Issuing CoS to successful applicants in a timely fashion, where applicable, processing payment for CoS.
• Fulfil necessary monitoring and reporting duties.
• Comply with Home Office guidelines.
Lot 2 Contract Value:
The estimated value of the Contract is £8.7 million.
The estimated value of the Lot 2 services is £8.7 million but Tenderers should note that in accordance with procurement law requirements and in order to allow DfE flexibility to increase the volumes under this contract if this is required in future an estimated upper range value of £12.2 million is provided in these tender documents. There is no guarantee of any volumes (or any increases in volumes) save as expressly set out in the tender documents.
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: £8,700,000
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Start date
1 November 2021
End date
30 June 2024
This contract is subject to renewal
No
two.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: No
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: Yes
Description of options
There is a contract optional extension available. The Department may extend the Term of the Contract for up to 12 months.
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.1.2) Economic and financial standing
Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.1) Type of procedure
Open procedure
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.2.1) Previous publication concerning this procedure
Notice number: 2021/S 000-008686
four.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate
Date
25 August 2021
Local time
12:00pm
four.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted
English
four.2.7) Conditions for opening of tenders
Date
25 August 2021
Local time
12:01pm
Section six. Complementary information
six.1) Information about recurrence
This is a recurrent procurement: No
six.3) Additional information
The Services subject to this Tender are “Social or Other Specific Services” within Section 7 of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (PCR) and are therefore not subject to the full extent of the Regulations.
The Authority will be carrying out an Open Procedure, as set out in Regulation 27, for this procurement.
Interested suppliers must ensure they are registered on the Jaggaer portal https://education.app.jaggaer.com in order to participate in this procurement.
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
The High Court
The Strand
London
WC2A 2LL
Country
United Kingdom
Internet address
https://www.find-court-tribunal.service.gov.uk/courts/royal-courts-of-justice