--- title: "Specialist Academic Support for Railway Operations Apprenticeships" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-048a1d" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-048a1d" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-048a1d.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-048a1d.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Tender" buyer: "THE UNIVERSITY OF KEELE" published: "2024-08-12" --- # Specialist Academic Support for Railway Operations Apprenticeships Buyer: THE UNIVERSITY OF KEELE Current stage: Tender OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-048a1d [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-048a1d) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-048a1d.json) ## Summary The University of Keele has initiated a tender process for the provision of Specialist Academic Support for Railway Operations Apprenticeships, under the Higher Education Services category. The contract, valued at £500,000, is to deliver comprehensive support services for the SLA (Railway Ops) apprenticeship programme starting in October 2024. This opportunity spans three years with possible extensions up to October 2029. The tender deadline is set for 13 September 2024, and submissions must be made electronically. The contract entails two annual start points for up to 50 learners, with flexibility to extend the service period based on university discretion. Key dates include the end of the tender period on 13 September 2024 and the start of the award period on 16 October 2024. This tender presents a significant growth opportunity for businesses specialising in higher education and vocational training, particularly those with expertise in rail sector apprenticeships. Given the demand for advanced training services, companies proficient in delivering high-quality, customised educational solutions are well-suited to participate. The project requires service providers to demonstrate substantial knowledge, experience, effective service delivery methodologies, and adherence to data security protocols. Eligible businesses must be listed on the Apprenticeship Provider and Assessment Register and meet OFSTED inspection standards. This contract offers a chance for educational service providers to expand their portfolios and establish a long-term partnership with Keele University. ## Notice Tenders are invited for the provision of Specialist Academic Support for Railway Operations Apprenticeships. Since 2019, Keele University has been delivering a Senior Leader Apprenticeship and seeks to extend its provision to provide a specialist award for rail sector leaders, hereafter the SLA (Railway Ops). The University wishes to offer two specialist rail operators start points on the apprenticeship in February and September, for a maximum of 50 learners (25 per start point) per academic year. The Service Provider will be required to provide a comprehensive set of support services to the SLA (Railway Ops) in accordance with the Tender Specification in Section 2 of the Invitation to Tender (ITT) document. ### Lot Information Lot 1 The contract will run for a period of three years with options to extend for two further periods of one year. The decision of whether to take up the extension options will be down to the absolute discretion of the University. The estimated total value of the contract over its duration (including the extension options if these are taken up) is PS500,000 excluding VAT. Main reasons for the decision not to sub-divide the contract into lots: Given the need for one Service Provider to co-ordinate the delivery of all of the services required, the contract has not been divided into lots. Options: Options to extend for two further periods of one year until 15/10/2029. Renewal: Options to extend for two further periods of one year until 15/10/2029. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/025509-2024 | | Notice type | Tender Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Services | | Procurement method | Open | | Procurement method details | Open procedure | | Tender suitability | Not specified | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Tender | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 12 Aug 2024 | | Submission deadline | 13 Sep 2024 | | Future notice date | Not specified | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | 15 Oct 2024 - 15 Oct 2027 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £500,000 | | Lots value | £500,000 | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Active | | Lots status | Active | | Awards status | Not specified | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | THE UNIVERSITY OF KEELE | | Locality | KEELE, STAFFORDSHIRE | | Post town | Stoke-on-Trent | | Postcode | ST5 5NB | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLG West Midlands (England) | | ITL 2 | TLG2 Shropshire and Staffordshire | | ITL 3 | TLG24 Staffordshire CC | | Local authority | Newcastle-under-Lyme | | Electoral ward | Keele | | Westminster constituency | Newcastle-under-Lyme | | Delivery location | TLG24 Staffordshire CC | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 80 - Education and training services ### Codes - 80300000 - Higher education services - 80530000 - Vocational training services ## Release History - 12 Aug 2024 at 17:06 - Tender - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/025509-2024 ## Notice URLs - https://in-tendhost.co.uk/universityofkeele/aspx/Home - https://www.keele.ac.uk ## 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-h6vhtk-048a1d. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-048a1d.json.