--- title: "West of England Childcare Research" ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-aa7a0a92-3d89-4b40-a932-f31ed84934e6" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-aa7a0a92-3d89-4b40-a932-f31ed84934e6" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-aa7a0a92-3d89-4b40-a932-f31ed84934e6.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-aa7a0a92-3d89-4b40-a932-f31ed84934e6.json" source: "Contracts Finder" current_stage: "Tender" buyer: "WEST OF ENGLAND COMBINED AUTHORITY" published: "2024-11-19" --- # West of England Childcare Research Buyer: WEST OF ENGLAND COMBINED AUTHORITY Current stage: Tender OCID: ocds-b5fd17-aa7a0a92-3d89-4b40-a932-f31ed84934e6 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-aa7a0a92-3d89-4b40-a932-f31ed84934e6) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-aa7a0a92-3d89-4b40-a932-f31ed84934e6.json) ## Summary The West of England Combined Authority is seeking to commission research to tackle challenges within the early years childcare sector in the Bath and North-East Somerset, Bristol, and South Gloucestershire regions. The tender, titled "West of England Childcare Research," falls under the industry category of research services (CPV code 73110000). This procurement process is currently in the Tender stage, with a deadline for submissions set for 5th December 2024. The contract period will start on 16th December 2024 and conclude on 21st February 2025. The estimated contract value is £30,000, and the procurement method is an open procedure (below threshold). Interested suppliers must register on the ATAMIS e-Procurement system to access full documentation and submit proposals. This tender presents a robust opportunity for businesses specialising in research services, particularly those focusing on the childcare or education sectors. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are especially encouraged to participate. The research aims to address staffing shortages and infrastructure needs within the childcare sector, creating potential long-term partnerships and the opportunity to influence regional policy. Companies with expertise in workforce development, infrastructure analysis, or those with innovative solutions for improving childcare provision, will find this project particularly aligned with their strengths. ## Notice The West of England Combined Authority is looking to commission research to further inform policy proposals which aim to tackle challenges the early years sector faces in the region (Bath and North-East Somerset, Bristol and South Gloucestershire). Our research has identified a pressing need to address staffing shortages in the childcare sector, focusing on both recruitment and retention. To tackle this, we have developed a concept for a West of England Childcare Academy. This academy would help new entrants gain the necessary qualifications and provide opportunities for existing staff to enhance their skills and advance professional standards. The goal is to make childcare a more attractive career, offering better prospects for growth. The Academy will particularly focus on upskilling, management training, health and wellbeing support, and targeted recruitment of underrepresented groups. In addition, we are evaluating the region's childcare infrastructure needs, including the creation of new facilities, upgrading existing ones, and pinpointing areas with inadequate childcare provision. A key finding of our research to date is that workforce shortages are limiting the availability of childcare places, with many settings running below capacity. We want to better understand the extent to which staffing shortages act as a barrier to increasing childcare provision in the region. We also want to understand the infrastructure challenges that providers face, as well as how a lack of childcare infrastructure in a local area impacts parents. The Mayoral Combined Authority uses ATAMIS as its e-Procurement system. Suppliers will need to register at - https://weca-atamis.my.site.com/s/Welcome - to access full documents and submit proposals. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Contracts Finder | | Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/95a88f5a-8459-454e-8b38-330122ed8034 | | Notice type | Tender 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 | Tender | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 19 Nov 2024 | | Submission deadline | 5 Dec 2024 | | Future notice date | Not specified | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | 16 Dec 2024 - 21 Feb 2025 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £30,000 | | Lots value | Not specified | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Active | | Lots status | Not specified | | Awards status | Not specified | | 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) | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services ### Codes - 73110000 - Research services ## Release History - 19 Nov 2024 at 19:32 - Tender - Tender Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/95a88f5a-8459-454e-8b38-330122ed8034 ## Documents - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/95a88f5a-8459-454e-8b38-330122ed8034 19th November 2024 - Opportunity notice on Contracts Finder ## Notice URLs - https://weca-atamis.my.site.com/s/Welcome ## Provenance This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-aa7a0a92-3d89-4b40-a932-f31ed84934e6. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-aa7a0a92-3d89-4b40-a932-f31ed84934e6.json.