Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
West Midlands Combined Authority
16 Summer Lane
Birmingham
B19 3SD
Contact
Kiran Kang
Telephone
+44 3453036760
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UKG - West Midlands (England)
Internet address(es)
Main address
Buyer's address
one.3) Communication
Additional information can be obtained from 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://wmca.bravosolution.co.uk
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
AEB - Community Recovery Fund
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 80000000 - Education and training services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
Please see main description
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 80300000 - Higher education services
- 80400000 - Adult and other education services
- 80500000 - Training services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKG - West Midlands (England)
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
Adult Education Budget - Community Recovery Fund
The West Midlands has been hit hard through the Global pandemic and a report ordered by House of commons shows that some of our communities and residents have been hit harder than others including young people, black and minority ethic (BAME) groups and low-income families.
To help support recovery, we are seeing significant investments being made in employability provision and vocational training e.g. Kickstart, SWAPs (Sector Based Work Academy Programmes) and Level 3 provision. Gaining and improving skills helps with progression in employment and can help make a huge difference in one’s working life. Whilst these initiatives help provide support both in “back into work” and “in-work progression”, we know that there are a number of our residents who do not engage in these established routes, either because these programmes do not match their aspirations, they lack the confidence to engage, or simply they are not quite sure what they want to do next.
The Objective
To engage residents, the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) is establishing a £1m Adult Education Budget Community Support (the Fund) to help test and develop innovative ideas and skills activity from community based organisations, that help equip both the employed and unemployed residents from those most disadvantaged by the Pandemic back to a healthy place of employment.
Through the fund our intent is to provide community-based organisations with an opportunity to innovate and utilise their expertise in engaging individuals to help support their career progression through skills learning & development. We envision this to be done through a project-based approach in test and learn, we want to see innovative proposals that are focused on targeting specific groups of residents most in need and provide catalysts to inspire their future progression and life chances.
These projects can be focused on a range of skills themes e.g. green/sustainability in the community, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math or digital is to be focused on a range of resident groups including young BAME, women returners and over 50’s. We do ask that employers are involved in the design of the project and play an active part in aspects of the delivery.
West Midlands Combined Authority are looking for Community providers that can help us design and deliver the above objective. Funds of between £50,000 and £100,000 will be awarded to these providers across the West Midlands region.
Further information
We are seeking a minimum of one new project in each of the seven metropolitan areas – Birmingham, Solihull, Walsall, Dudley, Sandwell, Wolverhampton, Coventry. Subject to funding there is scope to award further projects
As mentioned above we are seeking innovative projects that inspire and have a clear skill focus e.g. STEM, digital, green/ sustainability and are designed to cater to the below priority groups.
We are seeking to meet with potential suppliers/providers who feel they can help deliver the above objective and be available to join us in a supplier roundtable discussion. The purpose of this roundtable discussions is to get a feel for the market in order to help aid WMCA in the drafting of the final specification. As part of the process a set of questions will be sent prior to the scheduled discussion meeting to help understand the market and drivers.
Supplier Roundtable discussion meetings to be held during the week of 13th September
If you are interested in attending a roundtable discussion with WMCA, please contact Kiran Kang at
two.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice
1 October 2021
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: No