--- title: "Skills for Growth Light Touch Open Framework" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-05f667" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-05f667" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05f667.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05f667.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Tender" buyer: "DEVON COUNTY COUNCIL" published: "2026-03-13" --- # Skills for Growth Light Touch Open Framework Buyer: DEVON COUNTY COUNCIL Current stage: Tender OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-05f667 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-05f667) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05f667.json) ## Summary Devon County Council has initiated a tender process for the "Skills for Growth Light Touch Open Framework" aimed at commissioning high-quality skills provision services in line with local and national workforce needs. This framework, set under the UK Public Authority - sub-central government classification, focuses on adult and other education services, with learning and training services being delivered across the United Kingdom, particularly the UKK4 region. The framework is divided into three lots, supporting initiatives such as the Adult Skills Fund, Free Courses for Jobs, Skills Bootcamps, and future skills projects. The tender stage is currently active and crucial dates include an end date for submissions by 12th April 2026, with a Tender Launch Event on 18th March 2026 via Microsoft Teams. This transparent Open Procedure invites bidders to participate in ongoing and future opportunities through a framework method allowing reopening competitions, ensuring comprehensive knowledge sharing ahead of award decisions slated to end by 30th June 2026. This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses, especially those specialising in education, training, and skills development services. It is a fitting challenge for SMEs and VCSEs, particularly those capable of addressing skills gaps through flexible, responsive programmes that enhance sustainable employment and career progression. Providers with expertise in vocational, technical, and adult education services will find ample scope to contribute across the three distinct lots. The focus on flexible learning models, such as short Skills Bootcamps, facilitates market growth potentials from intensified training engagements. Businesses with innovative training solutions and commitment to meet employer demands will position themselves as key collaborators within this promising framework, which seeks strategic alignments with sectors that drive economic and social development in Devon, Torbay, and Plymouth. The estimated framework value is £120 million, offering substantial project income and growth possibilities. ## Notice Devon County Council (DCC) intends to establish an Open Framework for commissioning the delivery of high-quality skills provision services. The Framework will support the delivery of programmes funded through the Adult Skills Fund (ASF), Free Courses for Jobs (FCFJ), Skills Bootcamps, and other future skills initiatives aligned with local and national workforce needs. The Framework is divided into Lots based on the different programme types. They are: * Lot 1 - Adult Skills Fund (ASF) and Free Courses for Jobs (FCFJ) * Lot 2 - Skills Bootcamps * Lot 3 - Future Skills Projects The Framework includes a single common set of sectors and geographical areas which applies across all 3 Lots. The purpose of the Framework is to enable flexible and responsive skills provision that supports adults to develop the skills needed for sustainable employment and career progression, while also meeting employer demand and contributing to economic growth. DCC may initiate Call-Offs from both Lot 1 - ASF and FCFJ and Lot 2 Skills Bootcamps for Wave 7 Skills Bootcamp following the appointment of Providers to the Framework. Any contract value published within this notice are estimated total contract values provided strictly for information only and are subject to confirmation of funding. Value may be revised up or down. There is no guarantee of business or award of call-off contract. DCC will be hosting a virtual Tender Launch Event via Microsoft Teams on Wednesday, 18th March 2026, from 1:00pm to 2:30pm. This event will provide an opportunity to outline the service requirements to bidders, allow bidders to ask questions, and support navigation of the tender documents and procurement process. Full details and access instructions for the event can be found in Section 1.29 of the Invitation to Tender documentation. ### Lot Information Adult Skills Fund(ASF) and Free Courses For Jobs (FCFJ) ASF is a core funding stream provided by the Department for Working Pensions (DWP), designed to support adult learners, aged 19+ in Devon and Torbay, in gaining essential skills and qualifications that are up to Level 2, with some Level 3 qualifications for those aged 19 - 23, to improve employability, career progression, and participation in the workforce. This includes GCSEs, awards, certificates, and diplomas in vocational and technical subjects, and qualifications in English, Maths, and Digital. FCFJ are targeted Level 3 qualifications, to support adults, aged 19+ in Devon and Torbay, who meet the definition of unemployed or below the earnings threshold, to develop new skills to improve their prospects in the labour market. In accordance with Department for Education (DfE) and DWP funding rules, providers must have ASF provision to be eligible to deliver FCFJ provision. Renewal: There is an option to extend the Open Framework for a further 2 years. The Open Framework including all schemes established under it is expected to operate for up to 5 years. Skills Bootcamp Skills Bootcamps funded by DWP ,are short, intensive training courses (typically 8-16 weeks) focused on priority sectors and technical skills. They are employer-led, designed to fill immediate skills gaps, and must include guaranteed job interviews for participants or increased contracts for self-employed learners. Renewal: There is an option to extend the Open Framework for a further 2 years. The Open Framework including all schemes established under it is expected to operate for up to 5 years. Future Skills Projects To ensure long-term flexibility and responsiveness, the framework will also be available for commissioning provision for any new future skills projects in Devon, Torbay and Plymouth. Renewal: There is an option to extend the Open Framework for a further 2 years. The Open Framework including all schemes established under it is expected to operate for up to 5 years. ### Planning Information To inform the service provision approach Devon County Council will be undertaking a questionnaire for prospective bidders. The questionnaire will be supported by a Virtual event via Microsoft Teams event on 13th January 2026 at 10 am where further discussion on the Authorities requirement will be discussed. The submission deadline for the questionnaire is 12 noon 20th January 2026. We want to hear from suppliers, draw on your expertise, and encourage ideas, innovation, and alternative approaches to ensure the specification, tender process, and final contract are effective and attractive. The opportunity (questionnaire and link to join the virtual event) can be accessed on the SupplyingtheSouthwest portal using the following link. https://procontract.due-north.com/Advert?advertId=570c7e8a-a6d9-f011-813c-005056b64545&fromRfxSummary=True&rfxId=5153a377-b0d9-f011-813c-005056b64545 Click on the link and then you can express an interest in this opportunity by clicking the green button "Login and register interest in this opportunity". Once you have expressed an interest the system will automatically allow you access to the project documentation that will be stored within "My Activities" in your account on the system. The Authority will make available all relevant information from this event and questionnaire as part of the publication of the ITT. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/023151-2026 | | Notice type | UK4 - Tender Notice | | Procurement type | Framework | | Procurement category | Services | | Procurement method | Open | | Procurement method details | Open procedure | | Tender suitability | SME, VCSE | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Planning, Tender | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 13 Mar 2026 | | Submission deadline | 13 Apr 2026 | | Future notice date | 9 Mar 2026 | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | 12 Jul 2026 - 12 Jul 2029 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £120,000,000 | | Lots value | £120,000,000 | | 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 | DEVON COUNTY COUNCIL | | Locality | EXETER, | | Post town | Exeter | | Postcode | EX2 4QD | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLK South West (England) | | ITL 2 | TLK4 Devon | | ITL 3 | TLK43 Devon CC | | Local authority | Exeter | | Electoral ward | Newtown and St Leonard's | | Westminster constituency | Exeter | | Delivery location | TLK4 Devon, TLK43 Devon CC | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 80 - Education and training services - 98 - Other community, social and personal services ### Codes - 80300000 - Higher education services - 80400000 - Adult and other education services - 80500000 - Training services - 98000000 - Other community, social and personal services ## Release History - 13 Mar 2026 at 15:49 - Tender - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/023151-2026 - 17 Feb 2026 at 17:38 - Planning - UK3 - Planned Procurement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/014536-2026 - 17 Dec 2025 at 18:03 - PlanningUpdate - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/084070-2025 - 17 Dec 2025 at 17:31 - PlanningUpdate - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/084063-2025 - 17 Dec 2025 at 15:38 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/083978-2025 - 16 Dec 2025 at 10:42 - Planning - UK1 - Pipeline Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/083212-2025 ## Documents - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/023151-2026 13th March 2026 - Tender notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/014536-2026 17th February 2026 - Planned procurement notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/084070-2025 17th December 2025 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/084063-2025 17th December 2025 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/083978-2025 17th December 2025 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/083212-2025 16th December 2025 - Pipeline notice on Find a Tender - http://www.supplyingthesouthwest.org.uk The tender documents associated with this procurement are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at the Authority's e-tendering portal(Procontract). Link shown above. Direct link to the Competition Advert on the Authority's e-tendering portal (Procontract) - https://procontract.due-north.com/Advert?advertId=763c93f6-8819-f111-813c-005056b64545&fromRfxSummary=True&rfxId=0b528565-8a19-f111-813c-005056b64545 Click on the Competition Advert link and then you can express an interest in this opportunity by clicking the green button "Login and register interest in this opportunity". Once you have expressed an interest the system will automatically allow you access to the project documentation that will be stored within "My Activities" in your account on the system. ## Notice URLs - https://devon.gov.uk/ - https://procontract.due-north.com/Advert?advertId=570c7e8a-a6d9-f011-813c-005056b64545&fromRfxSummary=True&rfxId=5153a377-b0d9-f011-813c-005056b64545 - https://procontract.due-north.com/Advert?advertId=763c93f6-8819-f111-813c-005056b64545&fromRfxSummary=True&rfxId=0b528565-8a19-f111-813c-005056b64545 - https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents - https://www.supplyingthesouthwest.org.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-05f667. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05f667.json.