Scope
Reference
CP2641-25
Description
Devon County Council (DCC) seeks to implement a framework to provide Adult Skills Fund provision from high quality providers in Devon and Torbay, that is responsive to local needs, supports individuals furthest from the labour market, and contributes to the county's strategic objectives for economic development, social inclusion, and community wellbeing for the coming academic year (2025/26). Provision must be delivery of Department for Education (DfE) approved qualifications. Contract awards will be based on the quality and reach of any proposed course provision. Contracts will be paid in arrears according to evidenced learner output milestones as this is the basis for receiving funding from the DfE.Contractors will be required to submit learner data compliant with the existing learner data framework for Learn Devon (as part of DCC) as DCC will submit ILR data to the DfE on behalf of contracted providers. Providers will be required to deliver DfE approved qualifications as follows:The first full Qualification at level 2 legal entitlement (excluding Maths, English, and ESOL) for individuals aged 19 to 23; and/or the first full Qualification at level 3 for individuals aged 19 to 23;Essential digital skills qualifications, up to and including level 1, for individuals aged 19 or over, who have digital skills assessed at below level 1; Level 3 Free Courses for Jobs Offer for learners aged 23 or younger (from these approved DfE qualifications); Level 3 Free Courses for Jobs Offer for learners aged 24 and over (from these approved DfE qualifications). Training and skills courses resulting in DfE approved qualifications must be focused on the sectors below: Health and Social Care Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering (including Green Technologies) Education Hospitality Transport and Storage Information and Communication Finance and Insurance Professional, Scientific, and Technical Digital (including Essential Digital Skills)
Commercial tool
Establishes a framework
Total value (estimated)
- £1,115,391 excluding VAT
- £1,338,469 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 80400000 - Adult and other education services
Lot constraints
Description of how multiple lots may be awarded:
Bidders are able to bid for all Lots they are eligible for. Each Lot will be awarded based on the award criteria set out in the ITT.
Due to DfE requirements, providers are unable to bid exclusively for Lot 5 (Free Courses for Jobs) if they don't have an existing ASF provision. If they wish to bid for Lot 5, they must also bid in at least 1 of the other lots (Lot 1, Lot 2, Lot 3, and Lot 4) or evidence that they have existing ASF provision for 2025-2026.
Not the same for all lots
Contract locations and contract dates are shown in Lot sections, because they are not the same for all lots.
Lot 1. ASF in Exeter, East Devon, and Mid-Devon
Description
Provision of ASF Courses in Exeter, East Devon, and Mid-Devon
Lot value (estimated)
- £249,368 excluding VAT
- £299,242 including VAT
Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
Contract dates (estimated)
- 21 August 2025 to 31 July 2026
- 11 months, 11 days
Contract locations
- UKK43 - Devon CC
Same for all lots
CPV classifications are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot 2. ASF in Torridge and North Devon
Description
Provision of ASF Courses in Torridge and North Devon
Lot value (estimated)
- £249,368 excluding VAT
- £299,241 including VAT
Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
Contract dates (estimated)
- 21 August 2025 to 31 August 2026
- 1 year, 11 days
Contract locations
- UKK43 - Devon CC
Same for all lots
CPV classifications are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot 3. ASF Teignbridge, South Hams, and West Devon
Description
Provision of ASF Courses in Teignbridge, South Hams, and West Devon
Lot value (estimated)
- £249,368 excluding VAT
- £299,241 including VAT
Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
Contract dates (estimated)
- 21 August 2025 to 31 July 2026
- 11 months, 11 days
Contract locations
- UKK43 - Devon CC
Same for all lots
CPV classifications are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot 4. ASF in Torbay
Description
Provision of ASF Courses in Torbay
Lot value (estimated)
- £134,541 excluding VAT
- £161,449 including VAT
Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
Contract dates (estimated)
- 21 August 2025 to 31 July 2026
- 11 months, 11 days
Contract locations
- UKK42 - Torbay
Same for all lots
CPV classifications are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot 5. Free Courses for Jobs with 2 Sublots
Description
Free Courses for Jobs with 2 Sublots a) Devon b) Torbay
Lot value (estimated)
- £232,746 excluding VAT
- £279,295 including VAT
Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
Contract dates (estimated)
- 21 August 2025 to 31 July 2026
- 11 months, 11 days
Contract locations
- UKK43 - Devon CC
Same for all lots
CPV classifications are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Framework
Maximum number of suppliers
20
Maximum percentage fee charged to suppliers
0%
Framework operation description
A) Cascade Direct Award
Through a 'cascade' Direct Award approach, the Framework Provider ranked first for the specified Lot will be invited to fulfil the project requirement If the Framework Provider ranked first either declines the contract or does not have the capacity or capability to deliver the contract, the bidder ranked second would then be offered the contract (and so on).
For Phase 1 of this Framework Agreement, the cascade approach will be used for each Lot as defined within the ITT.
B) Mini Competition
As and when a project requirement arises, all of the specific Framework Providers for the chosen Lot will be invited to participate in a Mini-Competition Invitation to Tender. This will contain the Supplemental Specification for the project and the particular Mini-Competition Award Criteria.
Award method when using the framework
Either with or without competition
Contracting authorities that may use the framework
Establishing party only
Participation
Legal and financial capacity conditions of participation
Lot 1. ASF in Exeter, East Devon, and Mid-Devon
refer to ITT
Technical ability conditions of participation
Lot 1. ASF in Exeter, East Devon, and Mid-Devon
refer to ITT
Particular suitability
Lot 1. ASF in Exeter, East Devon, and Mid-Devon
Lot 2. ASF in Torridge and North Devon
Lot 3. ASF Teignbridge, South Hams, and West Devon
Lot 4. ASF in Torbay
Lot 5. Free Courses for Jobs with 2 Sublots
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
Submission
Enquiry deadline
21 July 2025, 12:00pm
Tender submission deadline
28 July 2025, 12:00pm
Submission address and any special instructions
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
20 August 2025
Award criteria
Lot 1. ASF in Exeter, East Devon, and Mid-Devon
Lot 2. ASF in Torridge and North Devon
Lot 3. ASF Teignbridge, South Hams, and West Devon
Lot 4. ASF in Torbay
| Name | Type |
|---|---|
| Quality | Quality |
Weighting description
Award will be Quality only
Project management 24%
Quality Assurance 15%
Learner Engagement 18%
Curriculum 35%
Social Value 8%
Lot 5. Free Courses for Jobs with 2 Sublots
| Name | Type |
|---|---|
| quality | Quality |
Weighting description
Award will be Quality only
Project management 24%
Quality Assurance 15%
Learner Engagement 18%
Curriculum 35%
Social Value 8%
Other information
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Special regime
Light touch
Reduced tendering period
Yes
Light touch contract - no minimum
Contracting authority
Devon County Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PJRC-4623-RJBH
County Hall
Exeter
EX2 4QD
United Kingdom
Contact name: Mr Symon Doliczny
Telephone: +441392381027
Email: Symon.Doliczny@devon.gov.uk
Website: https://www.devon.gov.uk
Region: UKK43 - Devon CC
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government