Learning, Skills and Employability Service Adult Skills Programme Flexible Framework

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        "title": "Learning, Skills and Employability Service Adult Skills Programme Flexible Framework",
        "description": "Sunderland City Council (\"the Contracting Authority\", \"the Authority\" and/ or \"the Council\") is seeking to appoint training providers (\"Suppliers\") to Deliver Adult Skills Programme Provision. Opportunities available for the Adult Skills Programme are categorised in accordance with the following funding streams to be incorporated into the structure of a Flexible Framework (\"the Framework\"): Lot 1 - Skills Foundation Lot 2 - Skills Activation Lot 3 - Skills for Work Procurement Procedure: This procurement involves the establishment of a light touch flexible framework under Section 45 of the Procurement Act 2023 (\"the Act\") using the flexibilities permitted under the Act in respect to light touch contracts (defined under Section 9 of the Act). The Flexible Framework will be use primarily for the future award of light touch services of adult training and learning provision. The Council reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to amend the structure of the Framework at any time, including (but not limited to) the addition of new Lots and/or the revision, consolidation, or reclassification of existing Lot headings where required to reflect programme needs, funding changes, or strategic priorities for the remaining duration of the Framework. The Framework shall be reopened in accordance with the Procurement Timetable to facilitate the admission of new entrants. In the event that a Supplier does not successfully satisfy the Stage One - Selection Criteria and associated Minimum Requirements (\"Stage One\"), this shall not preclude the Supplier from future participation. Such Suppliers will be permitted to submit a new application upon any subsequent reopening of the Framework in accordance with the Procurement Timetable. Contract opportunities shall be issued via the relevant funding stream and evaluated in accordance with the Most Advantageous Tender (MAT) criteria, with due consideration given to quality, price, and social value. The Council's Learning, Skills and Employability Service (\"LSE\") is responsible for commissioning and managing this programme to ensure that adult learners develop the skills, knowledge and qualifications required to secure sustainable employment, progress in work and improve life chances. The Service has an established track record of working effectively with subcontracted training providers and applies robust contract management, performance monitoring and quality assurance arrangements to ensure high-quality delivery, measurable learner progression and value for public investment. A key focus of the Adult Skills Programme will be the achievement of agreed contract outcomes and outputs. Subcontracted providers will be required to deliver against clearly defined performance measures, including learner participation, retention, achievement, progression and positive destinations. The LSE will actively monitor performance throughout the funding year and work with Suppliers to support continuous improvement, ensuring delivery remains compliant with funding rules, contractual requirements and learner and employer needs. The commissioning approach is informed by local, regional and national priorities, with particular emphasis on regional needs and opportunities affecting Sunderland and the wider North East. Provision commissioned through this programme will align with Sunderland City Council's Skills and Employment Strategy 2026-2030, supporting inclusive economic growth, improved productivity and progression opportunities for residents. In addition, delivery is expected to reflect the principles of the New Deal for North East Workers, promoting fair work, improved access to skills, better employment outcomes and targeted support for those furthest from the labour market. Suppliers must note that the subcontracting of any part of the requirements under this Procurement is strictly prohibited. Any indication by a Supplier of an intention to subcontract any part of a Call Off Contract will result in an automatic failure at Stage One, the bid will therefore not proceed to further evaluation. Suppliers should therefore review the contents of the procurement documentation including the Specification in detail. Please note a supplier briefing session will be held via Microsoft Teams at 2:00pm Thursday 2nd July 2026 if you would like to attend please request an invite via the correspondence section in OPEN detailing email addresses of who would like to attend.",
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                "description": "This procurement involves: Please note Suppliers can either: (a) submit a Tender for Stage One only to be appointed to the Framework to be considered for future Call Off opportunities; (b) or if they wish to be considered for delivering the Services for academic year 1st August 2026 to the 31st July 2027 they must also submit a Stage Two Tender also. Failure to submit both a Stage One and Stage Two Tender, will result in Suppliers only being evaluated for Stage One appointment to the Framework. Stage One Establishment Appointment to the Flexible Framework - Selection Criteria and Minimum Requirements (\"Stage One\") Organisations should note that the Stage One - Selection Criteria and Minimum Requirements for this opportunity are referred to herein as \"Stage One\". The Procurement Documentation also provides information regarding how the Council intends to conduct subsequent Stage Two - Competitive Selection Process opportunities under this Procurement. Organisations are invited to submit a completed Stage One - Selection Criteria and Minimum Requirements submission (a \"Submission\"), in accordance with the requirements specified for Stage One. The Conditions of Participation are designed to assess Suppliers' legal, financial standing and technical and professional ability to perform the proposed contract. These include pass/fail criteria and/or minimum thresholds which must be achieved as part of the selection process. This enables the Contracting Authority to determine which Suppliers may progress to the next stage of the Procurement. Suppliers must register on the Central Digital Platform, ensure that their information is accurate and up to date, and provide the Contracting Authority with the information required through that system. In addition, Suppliers must complete the Procurement Specific Questionnaire (\"PSQ\") prior to responding to the Technical Ability questions. Suppliers must also include within their Submission a PDF export of their supplier information from the Central Digital Platform. To successfully satisfy the Conditions of Participation for this Procurement, Suppliers must: * Confirm the Lot(s) for which they are submitting a Tender for evaluation; * Provide all information requested as part of the Submission; * Meet all mandatory requirements and pass/fail criteria; * Respond to all discretionary requirements; and * Achieve a satisfactory assessment in Part 3: Selection Questions - Technical Ability. The PSQ includes guidance clearly identifying which questions are assessed on a pass/fail basis and may result in exclusion from the process. It also provides details of the evaluation criteria applicable to each question. Only Suppliers who successfully meet all Stage One requirements will be taken forward for further consideration to Stage Two. For avoidance of doubt, Supplier who do not pass Stage One will not be appointed to the Framework. Upon receipt of Stage One Selection Process Requests, the Contracting Authority will undertake an initial compliance check to confirm completeness and adherence to the stated requirements prior to evaluation. The Contracting Authority reserves the right to reject any Submission that is incomplete or non-compliant, and such Submissions may be excluded from further consideration. Following evaluation of the Conditions of Participation and assessment of the PSQ, the Contracting Authority will determine whether any Supplier is excluded or excludable. Where a Supplier fails to meet one or more Conditions of Participation, or where exclusion grounds apply and are considered to be continuing or likely to recur, the Contracting Authority reserves the right to exclude that Supplier from further participation in the Procurement. All Suppliers will be notified of the outcome of the Stage One (PSQ) evaluation. and if they have been appointed to the Framework. Once Stage One evaluations are finalised, the Contracting Authority will evaluate the Competitive Selection Process Tender responses from the successful Stage One Suppliers only. Where a Supplier has unsuccessfully passed Stage One, their ITT submission for Stage Two will not be considered, and they will not be eligible for a Contract award for Stage Two or to be considered for any other Competitive Selection Process issued during the Framework duration, unless they are successfully appointed to the Framework at a future date, when the Authority re-opens the Framework. Stage Two - Competitive Selection Process for the Call Off Contract for delivery of the Services for academic year 1 August 2026 to the 31 July 2027(\"Stage Two\") The Stage Two procedure within this ITT is for the academic year 1st August 2026 to the 31st July 2027 but any subsequent Call Off opportunities will follow the same process (subject to any permitted refinements by the Authority which will be notified during any Competitive Selection Process). The purpose of Stage Two - Competitive Selection Process (\"Stage Two\") referred to herein as \"Stage Two\" is to enable the Contracting Authority to evaluate Suppliers' understanding of the requirements and the quality of their proposals for delivering the Call off Contract. The Stage Two opportunity in this ITT, relates to delivery for academic year 1 August 2026 to the 31 July 2027. The Contracting Authority will evaluate responses submitted in Schedule 4 - Adult Skills Programme Method Statement (Stage Two) to identify the Most Advantageous Tender(s) in accordance with the evaluation criteria set out in the Procurement Documentation. All Tenders must be submitted in accordance with the requirements of this Invitation to Tender (\"ITT\") and must include all elements necessary for the full performance of the Contract. Tenders must meet all requirements specified by the Contracting Authority and be capable of acceptance without material amendment. Following submission, the Contracting Authority may, at its discretion, request clarification, specification, or optimisation of a Tender. Any such clarification or additional information must not alter the essential aspects of the Tender or the Procurement requirements, nor distort competition or confer any unfair advantage on the Supplier. The Contracting Authority will evaluate Stage Two Tenders to identify the Most Advantageous Tender(s) for the proposed Contract(s). Evaluation will be undertaken by appropriately qualified evaluators with relevant subject matter expertise, and scores will be applied consistently in accordance with the Procurement Documentation. Following evaluation, Tenders will be ranked in order of overall score. Where multiple funding themes are aligned to Framework Lots, evaluation and scoring will be applied within each relevant funding theme to determine the Most Advantageous Tender(s) and resulting Contract awards. The Council may allocate funding across multiple Suppliers delivering within the same curriculum area to ensure sufficient capacity, promote learner choice, and achieve appropriate geographical and service coverage. The Council reserves the right, at its absolute discretion, to adjust, re-profile, or reallocate funding at any stage during the contract term. Funding allocations may be reviewed at defined contract review points or on an in-year basis. This may include adjustments due to underperformance, low recruitment, changes in demand, quality concerns, or evolving strategic priorities. Call Off Award Decisions and Allocation of Funding The Council will determine Contract awards based on the following: * The total quality score achieved by each Supplier in accordance with the evaluation criteria, to identify the Most Advantageous Tender(s); * The total available funding for the relevant opportunity (by reference to relevant Lot value or the curriculum focus funding stream maximum value); and * Alignment with the Council's strategic priorities, as set out in the ASP Specification - Schedule 2. Full Contract Award A full Contract Award (i.e. award of the full value applied for within the Competitive Selection Tender (subject to the available funding and maximum values per funding stream) may be made where: * The Competitive Selection ender is ranked highest in accordance with the Most Advantageous Tender criteria; * The proposal fully meets the Council's requirements; and * Sufficient budget is available within the relevant Lot or the curriculum focus funding stream maximum value. The Council will continue to allocate the funding available, in accordance with the MAT until the maximum value for the curriculum focus is fully committed. Partial or Reduced Contract Award The Council reserves the right, at its absolute discretion, to award a Contract at a reduced scope or value, or to make a partial award, where: * The proposal meets the Council's requirements in part; * Budget constraints necessitate adjustment; and * The award remains aligned with the evaluation outcome and delivers value for money. The Council will continue to allocate the funding available, in accordance with the MAT until the maximum value for the curriculum focus is fully committed. Any such adjustment will be: * Objectively justified; and * Applied consistently and transparently across all Suppliers. Reserve List (Standby Arrangements) Where funding within a Lot has been allocated following a Stage 2 Competitive Selection Process to Suppliers on a ranking basis, and the available funding has been exhausted, , the Council reserves the right to operate a reserve list , at its discretion for compliant Tenders that are not immediately awarded a Contract or a full Contract award ranked in order of Most Advantageous Tender score, for the remainder of the relevant academic year. Suppliers on the reserve list may be considered for award during the contract period where: * Additional funding becomes available; * Service requirements change; or * Existing Contracts are varied, reduced, or terminated.",
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