--- title: "Kent County Council (KCC) Skills Programme DPS - Reopening for Round 3 Applications (SC240120)" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-060a49" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-060a49" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-060a49.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-060a49.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Tender" buyer: "KENT COUNTY COUNCIL" published: "2026-01-20" --- # Kent County Council (KCC) Skills Programme DPS - Reopening for Round 3 Applications (SC240120) Buyer: KENT COUNTY COUNCIL Current stage: Tender OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-060a49 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-060a49) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-060a49.json) ## Summary Kent County Council (KCC) is currently progressing an active tender stage, inviting applications for the Skills Programme Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS). This procurement, titled "Kent County Council (KCC) Skills Programme DPS - Reopening for Round 3 Applications" under the CPV classification of "Education and training services" (ID: 80000000), focuses on delivering education and training services primarily in the Kent region (UKJ4). The total contract value is set at £3,000,000, divided into two lots, with the procurement stage being selective using a restricted procedure. The deadline for submitting tenders is 6th November 2026. The initiative is set to address a variety of community learning needs, targeting adults and young people over the age of 16, particularly those who are NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training), through specialised programmes funded by the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA). This tender provides significant opportunities for businesses, particularly small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with expertise in vocational and essential skills training, to expand their operations and engage with a substantial public sector contract. Companies that can offer educational and training services aligned with local labour market needs and those adept in addressing skills shortages will find ample scope within this procurement. The DPS aims to form partnerships through lot 1 for Adult Skills Fund Learners and lot 2 for Study Programmes Fund Learners, thus enabling suppliers to establish a flexible contractual relationship with KCC for delivering personalised learning and skills provisions. This framework agreement presents ongoing opportunities for business growth in education services, while supporting regional economic development needs. ## Notice Community Learning and Skills (CLS) is Kent County Council's (KCC) internally commissioned department responsible for delivering education and training to adults and young people over 16. CLS manages the Education & Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) Adult Skills Fund (ASF), Greater London Authority (GLA) budget, and ESFA 'Study Programme' courses for young people aged 16-19, including those not in education, employment, or training (NEET). These initiatives support the goals and objectives of Framing Kent's Future. In response to the Skills for Jobs White Paper and its consultation outcomes, from 1st August 2024, the Department for Education (DfE)/ESFA Adult Education Budget has been restructured to become the Adult Skills Fund. This change introduces new 'Learning Aims' for CLS's PS6.7m of 'Tailored Learning Funding', covering a wide range of vocational and essential skills courses designed to support learners in various stages of their educational and career journeys. The changes have included redefining partner organisations who CLS have previously worked with in a 'partnership delivery' relationship, as sub-contractors 'By subcontracting we mean any delivery to a learner's programme of learning by a third party.' KCC CLS are seeking to offer a flexible opportunity of externally Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) provision for adults, to support both previously offered 'partnership' courses for niche provision such as for Deaf/deaf learners, and growth in vocational areas, that meet local labour market needs. There is a recognised national shortage of staff with appropriate skills, experience and qualifications, especially to support for delivery in some vocational areas, which is now a focus of ESFA funding. Outsourcing delivery to appropriate partners would offer an opportunity to deliver, particularly where less than a full-time post is required i.e. whilst growing delivery in a new vocational area. This tender process is to allow Tenderers to bid to join a Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) and sign a contract with The Authority such that they can then be allocated work as the need arises. The Dynamic Purchasing System is split into two (2) Lots which reflect the category of learner in receipt of education services. Lot 1 Lot 1 relates to Skills programmes to be delivered to Adult Skills Fund Learners. Adult Skills Fund Learners means learners who are eligible for funding pursuant to the Adult Skills Fund Rules. The Adult Skills Fund is the funding allocated to the Authority by the Education and Skills Funding Agency on behalf of the Department for Education for the provision of continuing learning programmes for adults. Lot 2 Lot 2 relates to study programmes to be delivered to Study Programmes Fund Learners. Study Programme Fund Learners means learners who are eligible for funding pursuant to the Study Programme Fund Rules. The Study Programme Fund is the funding allocated to the Council by the Education and Skills Funding Agency on behalf of the Department of Education for the provision of 16 to 19 study programmes for individuals who are NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) in accordance with the Study Programme Fund Rules. It is the Authority's intention is to establish and begin awarding work for Lot 1 for Adult Skills Fund related study programmes from the commencement date of the contract. As per Clause 3.3 of DPS Admission Agreement, the Authority reserves the right to vary the contract to introduce and establish Lot 2 for 16-19 aged children who are NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) and other vulnerable young people. For the avoidance of doubt, no Tenderer will be admitted to Lot 2 and/or allocated work in relation to Lot 2 until such time that the Authority, in its absolute discretion, elects to establish Lot 2. ### Lot Information Adult Skills Fund As Above Study Programmes As per Clause 3.3 of DPS Admission Agreement, the Authority reserves the right to vary the contract to introduce and establish Lot 2 for 16-19 aged children who are NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) and other vulnerable young people. For the avoidance of doubt, no Tenderer will be admitted to Lot 2 and/or allocated work in relation to Lot 2 until such time that the Authority, in its absolute discretion, elects to establish Lot 2. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/004959-2026 | | Notice type | Tender Notice | | Procurement type | Dynamic, Framework | | Procurement category | Services | | Procurement method | Selective | | Procurement method details | Restricted procedure | | Tender suitability | Not specified | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Tender | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 20 Jan 2026 | | Submission deadline | 6 Nov 2026 | | Future notice date | Not specified | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | Not specified | | Recurrence | Annually | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £3,000,000 | | Lots value | £3,000,000 | | 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 | KENT COUNTY COUNCIL | | Locality | MAIDSTONE | | Post town | Rochester | | Postcode | ME14 1XQ | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLJ South East (England) | | ITL 2 | TLJ4 Kent | | ITL 3 | TLJ45 Mid Kent | | Local authority | Maidstone | | Electoral ward | Penenden Heath | | Westminster constituency | Maidstone and Malling | | Delivery location | TLJ4 Kent | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 80 - Education and training services ### Codes - 80000000 - Education and training services ## Release History - 20 Jan 2026 at 15:53 - Tender - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/004959-2026 ## Notice URLs - http://www.kent.gov.uk - https://www.kentbusinessportal.org.uk/ - https://www.kentbusinessportal.org.uk/respond/7G8J6U2E8S ## 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-060a49. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-060a49.json.