---
title: "Mayoral Priority Skills Fund (MPSF) Phase One Evaluation"
ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-a19ca91d-0873-4826-84d3-f45ba55f0ed4"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-a19ca91d-0873-4826-84d3-f45ba55f0ed4"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-a19ca91d-0873-4826-84d3-f45ba55f0ed4.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-a19ca91d-0873-4826-84d3-f45ba55f0ed4.json"
source: "Contracts Finder"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "WEST OF ENGLAND COMBINED AUTHORITY"
published: "2025-01-23"
---

# Mayoral Priority Skills Fund (MPSF) Phase One Evaluation

Buyer: WEST OF ENGLAND COMBINED AUTHORITY  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-b5fd17-a19ca91d-0873-4826-84d3-f45ba55f0ed4

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## Summary

The West of England Combined Authority has awarded a contract for the final evaluation of phase one of the Mayoral Priority Skills Fund (MPSF) to ERS Ltd. This procurement aims to assess the impact and implementation of the MPSF, which addresses priority skills gaps in the South West region of the United Kingdom. The total value of the contract is £66,800, with the evaluation to be completed by 30th September 2026. The procurement method used was an open procedure below the threshold. The process is now in the Award stage, following the initial tender period which ended on 20th December 2024.

This tender provides a significant opportunity for businesses specialising in evaluation consultancy services, specifically those capable of delivering comprehensive impact, process, and value for money evaluations. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are particularly well-suited to compete in this procurement, given the project's focus on innovative assessments and robust reporting for future governmental reviews. The successful business will not only gain financial benefits but also contribute to enhancing regional skills provision, thereby solidifying their reputation and expertise in the public sector consultancy industry.

## Notice

The Mayoral Priority Skills Fund (MPSF) was created to provide flexible grant funding to meet current priority skills gaps in the region. Priorities have been identified through robust intelligence gathered through delivery of previous and existing programmes, data, reports, and gaps identified through our other services, such as Skills Connect. The aim was to have a Fund that was flexible enough to respond to identified gaps where there are no other means of funding, or to bridge gaps in funding which may otherwise lead to gaps in vital skills provision. It also aimed to enable innovation and the ability to test interventions where there are gaps. This first round of MPSF funding (known as 'phase one') consisted of PS2,580,665 from the Mayoral Combined Authority Investment Fund and PS3,200,000 from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), providing almost PS5.8 million to address gaps in provision for the region. Phase one of MPSF commenced in July 2023 and is due to come to an end in December 2025. There are 16 projects funded under phase one. 15 projects were funded until March 2025 (known as 'call one') under several themes (see below). A few of these projects will continue to be funded until September 2025 using some underspend (known as 'continuation funding for call one projects'). A 16th project, Union Learn West, is due to start delivery imminently and will run until December 2025. Individual projects have received between PS50,175 - PS1,413,000. The West of England Mayoral Combined Authority are now looking to procurement a final evaluation of phase one that looks at both the impact that phase one has had on the region, and what we can learn from the implementation and delivery models of phase one that could be fed into the implementation of phase two. The successful tenderer will deliver a final process, impact, and value for money evaluation of phase one of the MPSF to answer the research questions set out below. The evaluation will ensure useful learning is provided for the MCA but also that we well prepared to submit evidence of impact to the Government as part of future Gateway Review processes.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Contracts Finder |
| Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/bf778b53-c675-4ee4-9636-27f9bae4c97b |
| Notice type | Award Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Open |
| Procurement method details | Open procedure (below threshold) |
| Tender suitability | SME |
| Awardee scale | Not specified |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 23 Jan 2025 |
| Submission deadline | 20 Dec 2024 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 17 Jan 2025 |
| Contract period | 23 Jan 2025 - 30 Sep 2026 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £70,000 |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £66,800 |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Not specified |
| Awards status | Active |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | WEST OF ENGLAND COMBINED AUTHORITY |
| Locality | BRISTOL |
| Post town | Bristol |
| Postcode | BS1 6AL |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLK South West (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLK5 West of England |
| ITL 3 | TLK51 Bristol, City of |
| Local authority | Bristol, City of |
| Electoral ward | Central |
| Westminster constituency | Bristol Central |
| Delivery location | TLK South West (England) |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | ERS |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

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

### Codes

- 79419000 - Evaluation consultancy services

## Release History

- 23 Jan 2025 at 17:33 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/bf778b53-c675-4ee4-9636-27f9bae4c97b

## Documents

- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/bf778b53-c675-4ee4-9636-27f9bae4c97b
  23rd January 2025 - Awarded contract notice on Contracts Finder

## Provenance

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