Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
Kent County Council
County Hall
Maidstone
ME141XQ
Contact
Jordan Gurr
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
Other activity
Local Authority
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
Kent County Council (KCC) Skills Programme DPS - SC240120
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 80000000 - Education and training services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
Community Learning and Skills (CLS) is Kent County Council's (KCC) internally commissioned department responsible for delivering education and training to adults and young people over 16. CLS manages the Education & Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) Adult Skills Fund (ASF), Greater London Authority (GLA) budget, and ESFA 'Study Programme' courses for young people aged 16-19, including those not in education, employment, or training (NEET). These initiatives support the goals and objectives of Framing Kent's Future.
In response to the Skills for Jobs White Paper and its consultation outcomes, from 1st August 2024, the Department for Education (DfE)/ESFA Adult Education Budget has been restructured to become the Adult Skills Fund. This change introduces new 'Learning Aims' for CLS's £6.7m of 'Tailored Learning Funding', covering a wide range of vocational and essential skills courses designed to support learners in various stages of their educational and career journeys.
The changes have included redefining partner organisations who CLS have previously worked with in a 'partnership delivery' relationship, as sub-contractors 'By subcontracting we mean any delivery to a learner's programme of learning by a third party.'
KCC CLS are seeking to offer a flexible opportunity of externally Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) provision for adults, to support both previously offered 'partnership' courses for niche provision such as for Deaf/deaf learners, and growth in vocational areas (those in Green in table above), that meet local labour market needs.
There is a recognised national shortage of staff with appropriate skills, experience and qualifications, especially to support for delivery in some vocational areas, which is now a focus of ESFA funding. Outsourcing delivery to appropriate partners would offer an opportunity to deliver, particularly where less than a full-time post is required i.e. whilst growing delivery in a new vocational area.
This tender process is to allow Tenderers to bid to join a Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) and sign a contract with The Authority such that they can then be allocated work as the need arises.
The Dynamic Purchasing System is split into two (2) Lots which reflect the category of learner in receipt of education services.
Lot 1
Lot 1 relates to Skills programmes to be delivered to Adult Skills Fund Learners.
Adult Skills Fund Learners means learners who are eligible for funding pursuant to the Adult Skills Fund Rules. The Adult Skills Fund is the funding allocated to the Authority by the Education and Skills Funding Agency on behalf of the Department for Education for the provision of continuing learning programmes for adults.
Lot 2
Lot 2 relates to study programmes to be delivered to Study Programmes Fund Learners.
Study Programme Fund Learners means learners who are eligible for funding pursuant to the Study Programme Fund Rules. The Study Programme Fund is the funding allocated to the Council by the Education and Skills Funding Agency on behalf of the Department of Education for the provision of 16 to 19 study programmes for individuals who are NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) in accordance with the Study Programme Fund Rules.
It is the Authority's intention is to establish and begin awarding work for Lot 1 for Adult Skills Fund related study programmes from the commencement date of the contract.
As per Clause 3.3 of DPS Admission Agreement, the Authority reserves the right to vary the contract to introduce and establish Lot 2 for 16-19 aged children who are NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) and other vulnerable young people. For the avoidance of doubt, no Tenderer will be admitted to Lot 2 and/or allocated work in relation to Lot 2 until such time that the Authority, in its absolute discretion, elects to establish Lot 2.
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: £3,000,000
two.2) Description
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKJ4 - Kent
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
As above (see Description)
two.2.5) Award criteria
Price
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: No
two.2.14) Additional information
This is being run as a Competitive Procedure with Negotiation with combined Selection and Award.
This Contract Award Notice details all suppliers awarded a Contract through Round 1 of the DPS.
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.1) Type of procedure
Restricted procedure
four.1.3) Information about a framework agreement or a dynamic purchasing system
The procurement involves the setting up of a dynamic purchasing system
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: 2025/S 000-004979
Section five. Award of contract
Contract No
SC240120
Title
Round 1
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
16 October 2025
five.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 32
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: Yes
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
The Blackthorn Trust
Maidstone
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKJ4 - Kent
Companies House
05964574
The contractor is an SME
No
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
London Vesta College Limited
London
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKI - London
Companies House
05394126
The contractor is an SME
Yes
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
PARENTA TRAINING LIMITED
Maidstone
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKJ4 - Kent
Companies House
05932259
The contractor is an SME
Yes
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
ROLE TRAINING LIMITED
London
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKI - London
Companies House
11016247
The contractor is an SME
Yes
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
RUNWAY APPRENTICESHIPS LIMITED trading as Runway Training
Surrey
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKJ2 - Surrey, East and West Sussex
Companies House
08957135
The contractor is an SME
Yes
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
SKILLS PROVIDER LIMITED
Essex
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKH3 - Essex
Companies House
13096448
The contractor is an SME
Yes
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
THE FORWARD TRUST
London
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKI - London
Companies House
02560474
The contractor is an SME
No
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
THE TRAINING PLACE OF EXCELLENCE LIMITED
London
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKI - London
Companies House
07483773
The contractor is an SME
Yes
five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot: £1,500,000
Section six. Complementary information
six.3) Additional information
This is being run as a Competitive Procedure with Negotiation with combined Selection and Award.
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
Kent County Council
Maidstone
Country
United Kingdom