Planning

Investment Zone Scoping - Higher Skills Capacity Evaluation

WEST MIDLANDS COMBINED AUTHORITY

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

12 Jan 2026 at 12:21

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) is leading the procurement process for the "Investment Zone Scoping – Higher Skills Capacity Evaluation". This initiative is part of the WMCA's efforts to enhance the skills development across the region, specifically targeting Investment Zones. The procurement is currently in the planning stage with a focus on services within the evaluation consultancy industry category. Interested parties must register on the Proactis procurement platform by 23 January 2026 to access additional information. The project encompasses the West Midlands region, including delivery from Level 4 and Level 5 training providers, with a contract period beginning on 1 May 2026 and concluding on 30 April 2029. The future notice date is scheduled for 1 March 2026.

This tender presents opportunities for businesses specialising in evaluation consultancy services to collaborate with the WMCA in assessing and strengthening the local skills ecosystem. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSEs) are particularly encouraged to participate, as the procurement process is suitable for such entities. It is an opportunity to contribute to shaping the skills landscape of the West Midlands while enhancing collaboration among educational institutions and private providers. The project aims to identify gaps in skill provisions and offer recommendations, fostering a robust environment for skill development and effective industry engagement in line with the region's growth aspirations.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Investment Zone Scoping - Higher Skills Capacity Evaluation

Notice Description

The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) is made up of 18 local councils, working together to make the West Midlands the best place to live, work and visit. Our priorities include homes, jobs, transport and growth for everyone. As an organisation, we're focused on making life better for people in the West Midlands. To achieve this, WMCA, working with partners as part of the West Midlands Investment Zone, is developing a specification to assess the capacity and capability of local skills and education providers to deliver high level skills and qualifications across several identified sectors and clusters. The WMCA is seeking to commission an evaluation of the current Skills Delivery Capacity with a focus on its Investment Zones during 2026. The purpose of the commission will be to understand and assess what the current skills capacity is to deliver high level skills that will support Investment Zone (IZ) aims and objectives as well as wider aspirations within the WMCA Growth Plan. Furthermore, it is intended that when WMCA do approach the market, the successful supplier will: * Assess and identify how the current skills ecosystem and training delivery capacity can be strengthened. * Outline how WMCA can enhance collaboration among Further Education (FE), Higher Education (HE), and private providers to meet industry needs reducing fragmentation and inefficient engagement. * Assess the current higher-level skills offer in the region at Level 4 and Level 5 training providers and with particular reference to the identified WM clusters. * Design and produce a mechanism for providing ongoing periodic assessment of this landscape to understand where gaps are reducing, being maintained or increasing and make recommendations accordingly.

Planning Information

To participate in this engagement process, please register your interest on our new Proactis procurement platform using the link below: https://procontract.due-north.com/Procurer/Advert/View?advertId=dd2dd087-84ec-f011-813c-005056b64545&fromAdvertEvent=True Once registered, you will receive access to additional information and the questionnaire. Please ensure the completed questionnaire is submitted by 23 January 2026 at 23:59. WMCA may invite you to participate in a face-to-face meeting or Teams call to further discuss your response. If so, you will receive communication via the Proactis Portal. Please note, this is not a formal PQQ or expression of interest in a tender exercise. This Pre-Market Engagement is to be used purely by the WMCA to provide potential delivery partners with more information about WMCA’s plans for an online engagement platform. The WMCA will not be liable for costs incurred by an interested party participating in this exercise.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06039e
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/002239-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

CPV Codes

79419000 - Evaluation consultancy services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£150,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
12 Jan 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
1 Mar 20266 days to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
30 Apr 2026 - 30 Apr 2029 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
WEST MIDLANDS COMBINED AUTHORITY
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
procurement.team@wmca.org.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
BIRMINGHAM
Postcode
B19 3SD
Post Town
Birmingham
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLG West Midlands (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLG3 West Midlands
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLG31 Birmingham
Delivery Location
TLG West Midlands (England)
Local Authority
Birmingham
Electoral Ward
Newtown
Westminster Constituency
Birmingham Ladywood

Further Information

Notice Documents

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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