- Scope of the procurement
- Lot 1. Vocational Training & Personal Development
- Lot 2. Addressing Health Barriers to Employment
- Lot 3. Supported Employment & Employer Engagement
- Lot 4. Environmental Employment Programme
- Lot 5. Financial Advice and Support
- Lot 6. Employment Advice, Advocacy and Guidance
- Lot 7. School Leaver Training Programme
Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
Inverclyde Council
Procurement, Municipal Buildings, Clyde Square
Greenock
PA15 1LX
Contact
Angela Rodgers
Telephone
+44 1475712634
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UK - United Kingdom
Internet address(es)
Main address
Buyer's address
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA00168
one.3) Communication
Access to the procurement documents is restricted. Further information can be obtained at
Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address
Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted electronically via
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
Provision of Employability Services in Inverclyde
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 80400000 - Adult and other education services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
Inverclyde Council are inviting Tenders for the service provision of one Lot or more than one Lot for Employability Services
Lot 1: Vocational Training & Personal Development
Lot 2: Addressing Health Barriers to Employment
Lot 3: Supported Employment & Employer Engagement
Lot 4: Environmental Employment Programme
Lot 5: Financial Advice and Support
Lot 6: Employment Advice, Advocacy and Guidance
Lot 7: School Leaver Training Programme
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: Yes
Tenders may be submitted for all lots
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
Vocational Training & Personal Development
Lot No
1
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 75200000 - Provision of services to the community
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKM83 - Inverclyde, East Renfrewshire and Renfrewshire
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
The aim is to provide targeted vocational training and personal development activities to enable eligible Inverclyde residents to attain the skills and competencies required in particular occupations or more broadly in the labour market.
The objectives of the service are to:
Provide a client centred service delivering vocational training, industry specific skills and personal development training.
Undertake proactive engagement and community level reach.
Target those who are inactive/workless/unemployed and who have at least one barrier to employment.
Focus on moving individuals into sustainable employment.
Support clients to access specialist services to address other barriers to employment, eg mental health, addiction, benefits & financial advice.
Achieve a high level of qualification outcomes and entry into sustainable employment.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion - Name: Resource, Expertise, Management & Reporting of Contract / Weighting: 15
Quality criterion - Name: Delivery Methodology / Weighting: 10
Quality criterion - Name: Output & Outcome Performance Statistics / Weighting: 10
Quality criterion - Name: Fair Work First / Weighting: 2
Quality criterion - Name: Social Value Outcome Menu / Weighting: 2
Quality criterion - Name: Social Value Supporting Methodology / Weighting: 1
Price - Weighting: 60
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months
12
This contract is subject to renewal
Yes
Description of renewals
The contract for each service will be for 12 months, April 2026 until March 2027, with an option to extend for a further 1 year period from April 2027 until March 2028
two.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: No
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: No
two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No
two.2.14) Additional information
Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
Addressing Health Barriers to Employment
Lot No
2
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 75200000 - Provision of services to the community
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKM83 - Inverclyde, East Renfrewshire and Renfrewshire
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
The overarching aim of the service will be to support unemployed, inactive or workless residents of Inverclyde, aged 18 or over, who have a physical, mental, sensory or learning disability, or long term health condition, to move into sustainable employment, by providing condition management services and job placement/work expereince opportunities.
The objectives of the service are to:
Provide a specialist, flexible, person centred, locally delivered service.
Provide adequate resource to identify and engage with those furthest from the labour market.
Provide appropriate employment and job placement opportunities.
Work in partnership to complement and add value to other local provision for the benefit of each client
two.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion - Name: Resource, Expertise, Management & Reporting of Contract / Weighting: 15
Quality criterion - Name: Delivery Methodology / Weighting: 10
Quality criterion - Name: Output & Outcome Performance Statistics / Weighting: 10
Quality criterion - Name: Fair Work First / Weighting: 2
Quality criterion - Name: Social Value Outcome Menu / Weighting: 2
Quality criterion - Name: Social Value Supporting Methodology / Weighting: 1
Price - Weighting: 60
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months
12
This contract is subject to renewal
Yes
Description of renewals
The contract for each service will be for 12 months, April 2026 until March 2027, with an option to extend for a further 1 year period from April 2027 until March 2028
two.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: No
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: No
two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No
two.2.14) Additional information
Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
Supported Employment & Employer Engagement
Lot No
3
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 75200000 - Provision of services to the community
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKM83 - Inverclyde, East Renfrewshire and Renfrewshire
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
The aim is to provide a locally delivered and targeted suppoted employment service to working age residents who have a mental health condition and/or physical disability to improve their skills, qualifications and work experience to progress into sustainable employment.
The objectives of the Lot 3 service are to:
Provide a flexible, client centred supprted employment service for Inverclyde residents with a mental health condition/physical disability, to move into sustained employment.
Support employers to provide more inclusive recruitment and staff retention practices to support local people with mental health conditions/physical disabilities to gain and sustain employment.
Develop a partnership approach to service delivery to add value to, and complement, other local specialist employment provison.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion - Name: Resource, Expertise, Management & Reporting of Contract / Weighting: 15
Quality criterion - Name: Delivery Methodology / Weighting: 10
Quality criterion - Name: Output & Outcome Performance Statistics / Weighting: 10
Quality criterion - Name: Fair Work First / Weighting: 2
Quality criterion - Name: Social Value Outcome Menu / Weighting: 2
Quality criterion - Name: Social Value Supporting Methodology / Weighting: 1
Price - Weighting: 60
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months
12
This contract is subject to renewal
Yes
Description of renewals
The contract for each service will be for 12 months, April 2026 until March 2027, with an option to extend for a further 1 year period from April 2027 until March 2028
two.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: No
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: No
two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No
two.2.14) Additional information
Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015.
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
Environmental Employment Programme
Lot No
4
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 75200000 - Provision of services to the community
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKM83 - Inverclyde, East Renfrewshire and Renfrewshire
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
The aim is to provide skills and experience through fixed term paid employment, enabling clients to gain recent work experience of good quality that will strengthen their CV, enabling them to compete more effectively in the job market on Programme completion.
The objective is for the successful tenderer to provide paid employment for unemployed/unwaged/inactive Inverclyde residents who would benefit from 40 weeks work experience in a role that provides environmental/groundworks/site maintenance benefit to the local community.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion - Name: Resource, Expertise, Management & Reporting of Contract / Weighting: 15
Quality criterion - Name: Delivery Methodology / Weighting: 10
Quality criterion - Name: Output &Outcome Performance Statistics / Weighting: 10
Quality criterion - Name: Fair Work First / Weighting: 2
Quality criterion - Name: Social Value Outcome Menu / Weighting: 2
Quality criterion - Name: Social Value Supporting Methodology / Weighting: 1
Price - Weighting: 60
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months
12
This contract is subject to renewal
Yes
Description of renewals
The contract for each service will be for 12 months, April 2026 until March 2027, with an option to extend for a further 1 year period from April 2027 until March 2028
two.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: No
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: No
two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No
two.2.14) Additional information
Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
Financial Advice and Support
Lot No
5
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 75200000 - Provision of services to the community
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKM83 - Inverclyde, East Renfrewshire and Renfrewshire
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
The main aim is to provide financial advice and support to local residents regarding their financial position when entering into, or progressing within, employment.
The objectives are to:
Provide a specialist, flexible, person centred, locally delivered service.
Inform individuals of their financial options in relation to increasing their income and/or reducing their debt.
Work in partnership to complement and add value to local provision for the benefit of each client.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion - Name: Resource, Expertise, Management & Reporting of Contract / Weighting: 15
Quality criterion - Name: Delivery Methodology / Weighting: 10
Quality criterion - Name: Output & Outcome Performance Statistics / Weighting: 10
Quality criterion - Name: Fair Work First / Weighting: 2
Quality criterion - Name: Social Value Outcome Menu / Weighting: 2
Quality criterion - Name: Social Value Supporting Methodology / Weighting: 1
Price - Weighting: 60
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months
12
This contract is subject to renewal
Yes
Description of renewals
The contract for each service will be for 12 months, April 2026 until March 2027, with an option to extend for a further 1 year period from April 2027 until March 2028
two.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: No
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: No
two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No
two.2.14) Additional information
Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
Employment Advice, Advocacy and Guidance
Lot No
6
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 75200000 - Provision of services to the community
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKM83 - Inverclyde, East Renfrewshire and Renfrewshire
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
To provide a specialist employment advice, advocacy and guidance service which complements and adds value to other employability services in Inverclyde. The service will be delivered flexibly to ensure clients can easily access the support available. The service will provide a range of activities to help residents remain in sustainable employment including:
Specialist advice and guidance on employment law and the rights of individuals at work.
Individual counselling sessions eg about a specific employment rights issue affecting a clients ability to remain in work; or to address a specific employment rights barrier preventing a client from fully benefiting from work.
A front-line enquiry service about employment issues eg sick pay, accidents at work, etc.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion - Name: Resource, Expertise, Management & Reporting of Contract / Weighting: 15
Quality criterion - Name: Delivery Methodology / Weighting: 10
Quality criterion - Name: Output & Outcome Performance Statistics / Weighting: 10
Quality criterion - Name: Fair Work First / Weighting: 2
Quality criterion - Name: Social Value Outcome Menu / Weighting: 2
Quality criterion - Name: Social Value Supporting Methodology / Weighting: 1
Price - Weighting: 60
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months
12
This contract is subject to renewal
Yes
Description of renewals
The contract for each service will be for 12 months, April 2026 until March 2027, with an option to extend for a further 1 year period from April 2027 until March 2028
two.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: No
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: No
two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No
two.2.14) Additional information
Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
School Leaver Training Programme
Lot No
7
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 75200000 - Provision of services to the community
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKM83 - Inverclyde, East Renfrewshire and Renfrewshire
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
The main aim is to provide support to recent school leavers aged 16 to 19 and who are risk of becoming NEET by delivering a vocational employability programme. Skills for employment should be improved via short term, 12 week training programmes which will run across the year, that will provide accredited qualifications alongisde employability skills, CV support and interview skills as well as providing good quality work experince opportunities across a variety of sectors.
The objectives are to:
Provide a specialist, flexible, person centred, service with Key worker support to engage with young people furthest away from the labour market.
Work with clients referred by Inverclyde Council as well as local partner organisations such as Skills Development Scotland and West College Scotland and maintain strong partnership links to ensure clients are progressing towards positive destinations.
Deliver a programme that removes barriers for yong people and helps to increase confidence, resilience and basic skills for progressing into employment.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion - Name: Resource, Expertise, Management & Reporting of Contract / Weighting: 15
Quality criterion - Name: Delivery Methodology / Weighting: 10
Quality criterion - Name: Output & Outcome Performance Statistics / Weighting: 10
Price - Weighting: 60
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months
12
This contract is subject to renewal
Yes
Description of renewals
The contract for each service will be for 12 months, April 2026 until March 2027, with an option to extend for a further 1 year period from April 2027 until March 2028
two.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: No
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: No
two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No
two.2.14) Additional information
Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015
Section three. Legal, economic, financial and technical information
three.1) Conditions for participation
three.1.2) Economic and financial standing
List and brief description of selection criteria
Inverclyde Council will check the financial status of applicants by means of a Dun and Bradstreet assessment. In order to be considered, applicants must achieve one of the following:
(a) Where the tenderers Dun & Bradstreet risk indicator is 3, the annual contract value should also be less than 50% of the tenderers average turnover over the preceding 2 years (with audited accounts dated within 24 months of the date of the financial check).
OR
(b) Where the tenderers Dun & Bradstreet risk indicator is 2 or better, the annual contract value should also be less than 75% of the tenderers average turnover over the preceding 2 years (with audited accounts dated within 21 months of the date of the financial check).
PLEASE NOTE THE IMPORTANT GUIDANCE TO BIDDERS BELOW:
APPLICANTS ARE STRONGLY ADVISED TO SATISFY THEMSELVES THAT THEY MEET THESE CRITERIA AS FAILURE OF THE FINANCIAL CHECK WILL MEAN THAT THEIR APPLICATION WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED FURTHER. APPLICANTS SHOULD ALSO SATISFY THEMSELVES THAT THEIR DUN AND BRADSTREET RATINGS ARE CORRECT AND IT IS THE APPLICANT’S RESPONSIBILITY TO RAISE ANY QUERIES WITH DUN AND BRADSTREET IF THEY FEEL A CORRECTION IS REQUIRED. THE COUNCIL WILL RELY ON THE RISK RATING IT OBTAINS AT THE TIME IT PERFORMS THE D&B FINANCIAL CHECK.
You must provide your average yearly turnover for the last 2 years.
Turnover must be provided from your audited accounts. Turnover from unaudited accounts or part year turnover will not be accepted.
If you are unable to provide the turnover information required due to being exempt from submission of full audited accounts, please provide an explanation on why you are exempt in response to this question.
If you have responded that you are exempt from submitting full audited accounts, please confirm that you will be prepared to submit alternative information and documentation on your financial position should this be required at any point. This information could be required at selection or in the event that the bidder is identified as the preferred bidder.
Minimum level(s) of standards required:
Employers Liability Insurance - 5M GBP
Public Liability Insurance - 5M GBP
Professional Indemnity Insurance - 5M GBP
Contractor's Cyber Risk Insurance limit of indemnity required - 1M GBP
three.1.3) Technical and professional ability
List and brief description of selection criteria
4C 1.2 Bidders should provide a minimum of two (2) examples of contractual arrangements they have held over the past three (3) years which best demonstrates their relevant experience to deliver requirements within the Contract which were similar in regards to scope, scale, value and duration.
4C. 10 Bidders will be required to confirm whether they intend to subcontract and, if so, for what proportion of the contract.
4D.1 QUALITY MANAGEMENT PROCEDURES
The bidder must hold a UKAS (or equivalent) accredited independent third party certificate of compliance in accordance with BS EN ISO 9001 (or equivalent),
OR
The bidder must have the following:
a. A documented policy regarding quality management. The policy must set out responsibilities for quality management demonstrating that the bidder has, and continues to implement, a quality management policy that is authorised by their Chief Executive, or equivalent, which is periodically reviewed at a senior management level. The policy must be relevant to the nature and scale of the work to be undertaken and set out responsibilities for quality management throughout the organisation.
4D.1 HEALTH & SAFETY
The bidder must hold a UKAS (or equivalent), accredited independent third party certificate of compliance in accordance with BS OHSAS 18001 (or equivalent) or have, within the last 12 months, successfully met the assessment requirements of a construction-related scheme in registered membership of the Safety Schemes in Procurement (SSIP) forum OR hold the information contained in the supplier attachment area in PCS-T (file name "Contract Notice Additional Information")
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.1) Type of procedure
Open procedure
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.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate
Date
19 December 2025
Local time
12:00pm
four.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted
English
four.2.7) Conditions for opening of tenders
Date
19 December 2025
Local time
12:00pm
Section six. Complementary information
six.1) Information about recurrence
This is a recurrent procurement: Yes
Estimated timing for further notices to be published: If the services are still required and budget is confirmed then a retender may be undertaken
six.3) Additional information
Tenderers will be required to return with their submission a completed Data Protection Certificate, FOI Certificate, No Collusion Certification, S1 Equalities Questionnaire, S2 Equalities Declaration, Prompt Payment Certificate and Tender Declaration Certificate.
It will also be a condition of contract that Tenderers comply with Inverclyde Council`s General Conditions of Contract, Special Conditions of Contract, Specification & Contract Information for Tenderers.
The buyer is using PCS-Tender to conduct this ITT exercise. The Project code is 30241. For more information see: http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/info/InfoCentre.aspx?ID=2343
Community benefits are included in this requirement. For more information see: https://www.gov.scot/policies/public-sector-procurement/community-benefits-in-procurement/
A summary of the expected community benefits has been provided as follows:
Social Value Points vary between each lot, however it would be the Councils expectation for a contract of this value and duration.
It will be a contractual requirement that the successful tenderer deliver the Community Benefits offered during the contract period.
(SC Ref:811502)
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
Greenock Sheriff Court and Justice of the Peace Court
Sheriff Court House,1 Nelson Street,
Greenock
PA15 1TR
Country
United Kingdom