Award

Tackling Bogus Degree provision and Degree Fraud in England

DEPARTMENT FOR EDUCATION

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

AwardUpdate

11 Jan 2018 at 09:42

Award

28 Jun 2017 at 14:33

Summary of the contracting process

The Department for Education (DfE) is conducting a tender titled "Tackling Bogus Degree provision and Degree Fraud in England" aimed at enhancing services to combat bogus degree provision in the UK higher education sector. The contract, which falls under the category of education and training services, has a total awarded value of £50,000 and was directly awarded. The contract period commenced on 1st June 2017 and extends until 31st May 2018. Businesses interested in this type of contract should note that the procurement process is at the award stage, with the relevant activities based in England.

This tender presents growth opportunities for businesses specialising in education oversight, fraud prevention, and compliance services, particularly Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) and Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) organisations. As degree fraud continues to be a pressing concern, firms capable of offering innovative solutions or effective educational compliance services can position themselves favourably to compete effectively for contracts with the Department for Education.

Find more tenders on our Open Data Platform.
How relevant is this notice?

D3 Tenders Premium

Win More Public Sector Contracts

AI-powered tender discovery, pipeline management, and market intelligence — everything you need to grow your public sector business.

Notice Title

Tackling Bogus Degree provision and Degree Fraud in England

Notice Description

The Department for Education (DfE) is seeking a contractor for the delivery of services to enhance the Department's activities to tackle bogus degree provision and degree fraud in England. DfE is responsible for promoting and protecting the reputation of the UK higher education (HE) sector. An important part of this work is concerned with dealing with issues that arise from activities carried out by bogus degree providers, also known as degree mills. In order to seek to better protect the reputation of the UK HE sector, the Department commissioned a service in 2015 for an initial one year period to expand its activities in this area by taking a more proactive approach to tackling degree mills and also the related area of degree fraud. Due to the success of the first year the project was ran again for a further year in 2016. The Department is now looking to continue the service for another one year period. DfE is responsible for maintaining lists of recognised UK degree course providers. This comprises institutions who have their own degree awarding powers (known as Recognised Bodies) as well as institutions who deliver degree courses that are awarded by a 'Recognised Body' through validated or franchised arrangements. Under sections 214-216 of the Education Reform Act 1988, it is an offence for a body to award a UK degree or offer a UK degree course unless that body is already recognised and officially listed. DfE has no direct enforcement role (this being the responsibility of Trading Standards Departments). DfE's role is to advise the public about legitimate degree providers and to liaise with the enforcement authorities where appropriate where bogus degree providers appear to be operating in the UK. Degree mills have been a growing concern, not just here in the UK, but worldwide. Their expansion has been fuelled by the World Wide Web. This has enabled degree mills to take on a virtual presence and to give the appearance of an actual HE institution even though no such institution actually exists. The strong reputation of the UK HE sector means that the UK is a target for bogus operators who purport to operate a UK based "university". Degree fraud is a closely related area. The "qualifications" offered by bogus providers tend to be used by applicants seeking to gain employment under false pretences. This has the potential to disadvantage students with genuine qualifications who are competing for labour market opportunities with candidates with false qualifications because employers have not made the necessary checks. Additional information: awarded value is exc VAT

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-68b4356b-654c-4ccc-8205-07490a9a9a74
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/5ad34555-ebf4-4f35-b24a-c78151aa32f9
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Direct award
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

80 - Education and training services


CPV Codes

80000000 - Education and training services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£50,000 Under £100K
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
11 Jan 20188 years ago
Submission Deadline
31 May 2017Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
30 May 20178 years ago
Contract Period
31 May 2017 - 31 May 2018 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
DEPARTMENT FOR EDUCATION
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
SHEFFIELD,
Postcode
S1 2FJ
Post Town
Sheffield
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLE Yorkshire and The Humber
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLE3 South Yorkshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLE32 Sheffield
Delivery Location
TLC North East (England), TLD North West (England), TLE Yorkshire and The Humber, TLF East Midlands (England), TLG West Midlands (England), TLI London, TLJ South East (England), TLK South West (England), TLL Wales, TLM Scotland, TLN Northern Ireland

Local Authority
Sheffield
Electoral Ward
City
Westminster Constituency
Sheffield Central

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

HIGHER EDUCATION CAREER SERVICES UNIT

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

Download

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.

{
    "tag": [
        "compiled"
    ],
    "id": "ocds-b5fd17-68b4356b-654c-4ccc-8205-07490a9a9a74-2018-01-11T09:42:32Z",
    "date": "2018-01-11T09:42:32Z",
    "ocid": "ocds-b5fd17-68b4356b-654c-4ccc-8205-07490a9a9a74",
    "language": "en",
    "initiationType": "tender",
    "tender": {
        "id": "RD1000576",
        "title": "Tackling Bogus Degree provision and Degree Fraud in England",
        "description": "The Department for Education (DfE) is seeking a contractor for the delivery of services to enhance the Department's activities to tackle bogus degree provision and degree fraud in England. DfE is responsible for promoting and protecting the reputation of the UK higher education (HE) sector. An important part of this work is concerned with dealing with issues that arise from activities carried out by bogus degree providers, also known as degree mills. In order to seek to better protect the reputation of the UK HE sector, the Department commissioned a service in 2015 for an initial one year period to expand its activities in this area by taking a more proactive approach to tackling degree mills and also the related area of degree fraud. Due to the success of the first year the project was ran again for a further year in 2016. The Department is now looking to continue the service for another one year period. DfE is responsible for maintaining lists of recognised UK degree course providers. This comprises institutions who have their own degree awarding powers (known as Recognised Bodies) as well as institutions who deliver degree courses that are awarded by a 'Recognised Body' through validated or franchised arrangements. Under sections 214-216 of the Education Reform Act 1988, it is an offence for a body to award a UK degree or offer a UK degree course unless that body is already recognised and officially listed. DfE has no direct enforcement role (this being the responsibility of Trading Standards Departments). DfE's role is to advise the public about legitimate degree providers and to liaise with the enforcement authorities where appropriate where bogus degree providers appear to be operating in the UK. Degree mills have been a growing concern, not just here in the UK, but worldwide. Their expansion has been fuelled by the World Wide Web. This has enabled degree mills to take on a virtual presence and to give the appearance of an actual HE institution even though no such institution actually exists. The strong reputation of the UK HE sector means that the UK is a target for bogus operators who purport to operate a UK based \"university\". Degree fraud is a closely related area. The \"qualifications\" offered by bogus providers tend to be used by applicants seeking to gain employment under false pretences. This has the potential to disadvantage students with genuine qualifications who are competing for labour market opportunities with candidates with false qualifications because employers have not made the necessary checks. Additional information: awarded value is exc VAT",
        "status": "complete",
        "classification": {
            "scheme": "CPV",
            "id": "80000000",
            "description": "Education and training services"
        },
        "items": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "deliveryAddresses": [
                    {
                        "countryName": "British Oversea Territories"
                    },
                    {
                        "countryName": "Channel Islands"
                    },
                    {
                        "countryName": "Europe"
                    },
                    {
                        "countryName": "Isle of Man"
                    },
                    {
                        "countryName": "Rest of the World"
                    },
                    {
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "North East",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "North West",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "Yorkshire and the Humber",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "East Midlands",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "West Midlands",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "East of England",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "London",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "South East",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "South West",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "Scotland",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "Wales",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "Northern Ireland",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "countryName": "Isle of Man"
                    },
                    {
                        "countryName": "Guernsey"
                    },
                    {
                        "countryName": "Jersey"
                    },
                    {
                        "countryName": "British Oversea Territories"
                    },
                    {
                        "countryName": "Channel Islands"
                    },
                    {
                        "countryName": "Europe"
                    },
                    {
                        "countryName": "Isle of Man"
                    },
                    {
                        "countryName": "Rest of the World"
                    },
                    {
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "North East",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "North West",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "Yorkshire and the Humber",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "East Midlands",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "West Midlands",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "East of England",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "London",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "South East",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "South West",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "Scotland",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "Wales",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "Northern Ireland",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "countryName": "Isle of Man"
                    },
                    {
                        "countryName": "Guernsey"
                    },
                    {
                        "countryName": "Jersey"
                    }
                ]
            }
        ],
        "value": {
            "amount": 50000,
            "currency": "GBP"
        },
        "procurementMethod": "direct",
        "procurementMethodDetails": "Direct award",
        "tenderPeriod": {
            "endDate": "2017-05-31T23:59:59+01:00"
        },
        "contractPeriod": {
            "startDate": "2017-06-01T00:00:00+01:00",
            "endDate": "2018-05-31T23:59:59+01:00"
        },
        "suitability": {
            "sme": true,
            "vcse": true
        },
        "mainProcurementCategory": "services"
    },
    "parties": [
        {
            "id": "GB-SRS-sid4gov.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/QfDr2jb7",
            "name": "Department For Education",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "Department For Education",
                "scheme": "GB-SRS",
                "id": "sid4gov.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/QfDr2jb7"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Department for Education,, 2 St Paul's Place,",
                "locality": "Sheffield,",
                "postalCode": "S1 2FJ",
                "countryName": "England"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "name": "Hanna Iqbal",
                "email": "hanna.iqbal@education.gov.uk"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer"
            ]
        },
        {
            "id": "GB-CFS-76080",
            "name": "Higher Education Career Services Unit",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "Higher Education Career Services Unit"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Prospects House Booth Street East Manchester M13 9EP"
            },
            "details": {
                "scale": "large",
                "vcse": false
            },
            "roles": [
                "supplier"
            ]
        }
    ],
    "buyer": {
        "id": "GB-SRS-sid4gov.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/QfDr2jb7",
        "name": "Department For Education"
    },
    "awards": [
        {
            "id": "ocds-b5fd17-68b4356b-654c-4ccc-8205-07490a9a9a74-1",
            "status": "active",
            "date": "2017-05-31T00:00:00+01:00",
            "datePublished": "2018-01-11T09:42:32Z",
            "value": {
                "amount": 0,
                "currency": "GBP"
            },
            "suppliers": [
                {
                    "id": "GB-CFS-76080",
                    "name": "Higher Education Career Services Unit"
                }
            ],
            "contractPeriod": {
                "startDate": "2017-06-01T00:00:00+01:00",
                "endDate": "2018-05-31T23:59:59+01:00"
            },
            "documents": [
                {
                    "id": "1",
                    "documentType": "awardNotice",
                    "description": "Awarded contract notice on Contracts Finder",
                    "url": "https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/5ad34555-ebf4-4f35-b24a-c78151aa32f9",
                    "datePublished": "2018-01-11T09:42:32Z",
                    "format": "text/html",
                    "language": "en"
                },
                {
                    "id": "2",
                    "documentType": "contractSigned",
                    "description": "Contract",
                    "url": "https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/c2e22b90-d9ce-4e7e-97a9-a3cf90710209",
                    "format": "application/pdf"
                }
            ]
        }
    ]
}