Section one: Contracting authority/entity
one.1) Name and addresses
Kent County Council
Sessions House, County Road
MAIDSTONE
ME141XQ
Contact
Sam Wright
Telephone
+44 3000419624
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UKJ4 - Kent
Justification for not providing organisation identifier
Not on any register
Internet address(es)
Main address
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
Improving Work Experience
Reference number
SC220277
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 80310000 - Youth education services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
Work Experience (WEX) declined dramatically over the Covid period and is still very limited. Young people are often ill prepared for work experience and do not fully benefit from the opportunities. All 4 of EBP's key departments; Careers, Projects, Events and Work Experience, partner consistently and on a large-scale with Kent employers. EBP have developed numerous sessions, projects and initiatives. Work produced by EBP Kent within the areas of Projects, Work Experience and Events are subject to an evaluative process that links the results to the Gatsby Benchmarks framework. This is to not only adhere to Ofsted requirements and the evidence each school must produce, but also for improvement, efficacy and evolution
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.1.7) Total value of the procurement (excluding VAT)
Value excluding VAT: £35,000
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 80212000 - Vocational secondary education services
- 80310000 - Youth education services
- 80530000 - Vocational training services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKJ4 - Kent
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
Due to the ongoing impact of the pandemic and the increased demand on services, the Kent Reconnect Programme has identified Provision for NEETs/refugees post-16 for 'at risk' young people as a priority. In order to support and develop their economic wellbeing so they do not go on to develop behaviours or mental health conditions which prevent them from engaging with education, work, family and friends and achieving their potential, the work was supported by KCC's Cabinet in their decision as an area to continue.
In December 2021 an opportunity to tender for an Improving WEX service was advertised, including a requirement for specific characteristics of bidders:
Due to the short time scales involved, bidders will need to be well embedded in the Kent education and employment landscape. It is also likely that any bidders will already be delivering work or have off the shelf programmes that could be adapted to support this project to allow for the quickest possible mobilisation.
Bidders should already have:
• Excellent relationships with Kent schools and careers support networks.
• Extensive employer networks to promote the project and generate work experience placements.
• Good knowledge of the local economic and employment landscape.
• An existing base in Kent.
• Staff in place to deliver the project.
There were just two responses to the tender opportunity. EBP Kent's response showed a full understanding of the elements required and included sufficient detail to score highly in evaluation and moderation.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Price
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: No
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.1) Type of procedure
Award of a contract without prior publication of a call for competition in the cases listed below
- The procurement falls outside the scope of application of the regulations
Explanation:
On the 21 July 2022, The Kent County Council Cabinet, approved a decision to extend the Reconnect Programme to 31 March 2023 for specific areas of need including NEET Provision. Commissioners would not be able engage in a procurement to complete a tender process for such a short-term contract.
Regulation 32(2)(c) of the Public Contract Regulations 2015 Negotiated Procedure without prior publication of a Contract Notice insofar as is strictly necessary where, for reasons of extreme urgency brought about by events unforeseeable by the contracting authority, the time limits for the open or restricted procedures or competitive procedures with negotiation cannot be complied with.
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes
Section five. Award of contract/concession
Contract No
SC220277
Title
Improving Work Experience
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract/concession
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
29 September 2022
five.2.2) Information about tenders
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor/concessionaire
EBP Kent
Kent Innovation Centre, Millennium Way
Broadstairs
CT9 2QQ
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKJ4 - Kent
Justification for not providing organisation identifier
Not on any register
The contractor/concessionaire is an SME
Yes
five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot/concession (excluding VAT)
Initial estimated total value of the contract/lot/concession: £35,000
Total value of the contract/lot/concession: £35,000
Section six. Complementary information
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
Kent County Council
Sessions House, County Road
Maidstone
ME14 1XQ
Country
United Kingdom