Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
Ministry of Justice
102 Petty France
London
SW1H 9AJ
pes-screeningandassessment@justice.gov.uk
Telephone
+44 02033343555
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UK - United Kingdom
Internet address(es)
Main address
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice
one.3) Communication
Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Ministry or any other national or federal authority
one.5) Main activity
Public order and safety
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) screening and assessment Tool
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 72212190 - Educational software development services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has a legal requirement to secure the provision of education and training for prisoners and recognises that Education, Skills, and Work (ESW) play a significant role in reducing reoffending. A 2017 MoJ report shows that prisoners who participated in any form of learning activity were 9 percentage points less likely to reoffend compared to non-learners and 1.8 percentage points more likely to be in employment after release. MoJ is committed to delivering a transformed 'Prisoner Education Service' (PES) focused on work-based training and skills'.
The Prisoner Education Service (PES) is developing an innovative, integrated digital ecosystem that brings together a holistic prisoner view that informs planning, delivery and accountability. Effective Screening and Assessment (S&A) is at the core of this, ensuring that prisoner's learner needs are identified when engaging with education, and inform their learner journey throughout their time in custody. This system should enable HMPPS to drive up standards and outcomes across the estate, both in custody and in the community.
To realise this vision, we are procuring digital S&A tools for the PES contracts.
This PIN is for an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) screening tool only.
We are expecting to procure one tool; the tool can be part, fully or not yet developed. The expected contract length is up to 7 years.
The ESOL tool must accurately identify any gaps in a prisoner’s ability to read, write, speak and understand English, written and spoken language, in line with National Standards. The tool must also indicate the level of support required to enable progression.
ESOL assessments can include digital elements but should include interaction with and reading assessment outcomes determined by screening and assessment delivery staff.
The Tool must be compliant with Government Digital Standard (GDS) in the design, testing and deployment in a timeframe agreed with the Authority, supported by an Implementation Plan and must be capable of integrating with other services and sharing data using open standards.
The vision for the ESOL tool contract is to:
• Implement a high-quality, accessible tool that accurately identifies prisoners ESOL ability levels.
• Enable collaboration with the Authority and PES providers to ensure continuous improvement so that the tool enables quality ESOL S&A delivery.
• Enable data reporting integration of the ESOL tool into the Authority systems.
• Provide for the first time national consistent ESOL screening across the PES prison estate to reduce duplication and improve data flow across the estate.
• Deliver the ambition for digital by default screening with contingencies to allow continued S&A delivery when access to digital tool/s is impacted.
• Ensure high quality ESOL S&A tool provider led training and ongoing support to PES Core-Education staff on the use of provider screening tools.
• Drive quality via output measured key performance indicators.
two.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT: £2,170,000
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 48190000 - Educational software package
- 72212190 - Educational software development services
- 72212210 - Networking software development services
- 72212311 - Document management software development services
- 72212517 - IT software development services
- 72250000 - System and support services
- 72253000 - Helpdesk and support services
- 72260000 - Software-related services
- 72261000 - Software support services
- 72267000 - Software maintenance and repair services
- 72310000 - Data-processing services
- 75231200 - Services related to the detention or rehabilitation of criminals
- 75231230 - Prison services
- 80000000 - Education and training services
- 80400000 - Adult and other education services
- 80533000 - Computer-user familiarisation and training services
- 80533100 - Computer training services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UK - United Kingdom
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
The purpose of this engagement is to secure wider market involvement in the testing and development of our procurement structure, including the specification and contract.
Topics we would like to hear suppliers' view on may include but are not limited to:
• Tool demonstration or vision
• Specification Optimisation
• Contract Terms Proportionality
• Removing Barriers to SMEs
• IPR
• Costs
• Pay Mech (including development, mobilisation and service delivery costs)
• Ability to meet current requirements and timescale including if developed
• Appetite to develop tool
• Insurance Levels
• Digital Requirements
• Delivery requirements
• Tool outputs & next steps
We have included a Survey to seek out your views and to ask if you would be willing to speak with us further on this topic, once complete please return it to the PES-ScreeningandAssessment@justice.gov.uk email no later than the 27th September 2024. If you agree to speak with us, we will be holding meetings on a first come first serve basis between 30th September - 7th October.
Other supporting material is attached to the Contracts Finder PIN, which can be found here: English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Screening and Assessment Tool Market Engagement - Contracts Finder
two.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice
27 January 2025
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