Tender

Kent County Council (KCC) Skills Programme DPS - SC240120

KENT COUNTY COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

15 Oct 2025 at 15:30

Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Kent County Council is inviting tenders for its Skills Programme Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) under the title "KCC Skills Programme DPS - SC240120," focusing on education and training services. This procurement process is in the tender stage, with a deadline for submissions on 3rd November 2025. The programme targets the Education and Skills Funding Agency's Adult Skills Fund and Study Programme Fund, aiming to deliver skills and study programmes in the South East region of the UK. The contract period is set to commence on 1st January 2026 and conclude on 31st March 2027. The procurement is managed through a selective and negotiated procedure, ensuring a carefully curated selection process for suppliers.

This tender offers significant opportunities for businesses in the education and vocational training sector, particularly those experienced with adult education. SMEs and voluntary, community, and social enterprises are encouraged to participate, with a total estimated value of £3,000,000, indicating ample potential for business growth. Suitable businesses can contribute to addressing skill shortages in crucial vocational areas, especially for niche provisions such as courses for Deaf/deaf learners. By joining the DPS, companies will have flexible opportunities to receive contracts as educational service needs arise, promoting professional development and expansion in response to local labour market demands.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Kent County Council (KCC) Skills Programme DPS - SC240120

Notice 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 PS6.7m 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 allocat

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-0d0e4d50-c166-44b0-a218-6eb1747c010a
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/8ad25a30-3695-4148-8b60-7d185c1f6064
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Dynamic
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Negotiated procedure
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

80 - Education and training services

CPV Codes

80000000 - Education and training services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£3,000,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
15 Oct 20254 months ago
Submission Deadline
3 Nov 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Jan 2026 - 31 Mar 2027 1-2 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Not Specified
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
KENT COUNTY COUNCIL
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
MAIDSTONE
Postcode
ME14 1XQ
Post Town
Rochester
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ4 Kent
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ45 Mid Kent
Delivery Location
TLJ South East (England)
Local Authority
Maidstone
Electoral Ward
Penenden Heath
Westminster Constituency
Maidstone and Malling

Further Information

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts. 

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