--- title: "Learning, Skills and Employability Service Adult Skills Programme Flexible Framework" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-069410" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-069410" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-069410.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-069410.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Tender" buyer: "SUNDERLAND CITY COUNCIL" published: "2026-07-01" --- # Learning, Skills and Employability Service Adult Skills Programme Flexible Framework Buyer: SUNDERLAND CITY COUNCIL Current stage: Tender OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-069410 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-069410) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-069410.json) ## Summary Sunderland City Council is currently seeking training providers for its Learning, Skills and Employability Service Adult Skills Programme. This programme is structured within a flexible framework and includes opportunities categorised under three funding streams: Skills Foundation, Skills Activation, and Skills for Work. The procurement process is in the tender update stage as of 1st July 2026, and the deadline for tender submissions is 17th July 2026. This procurement process employs an open procedure under the light touch regime outlined in the UK Procurement Act 2023, with an emphasis on quality, price, and social value. The programme aims to help adult learners in the Sunderland and wider North East UK region gain essential skills for employment and personal development. This tender offers substantial opportunities for training providers looking to expand into the public sector education and training market. The contract, valued between £6,165,000 and £7,398,000, provides a platform for providers to deliver high-quality adult education services, promoting sustainable employment and progression. Businesses particularly well-suited to this opportunity are those with experience in adult education, training, and skills development, including SMEs and voluntary social enterprises who can deliver tailored educational services while adhering to strict subcontracting restrictions. Successful bidders will be part of a framework that supports regional economic growth, aligning with Sunderland's strategic initiatives and offering significant potential for long-term partnership with the council. ## Notice Sunderland City Council ("the Contracting Authority", "the Authority" and/ or "the Council") is seeking to appoint training providers ("Suppliers") to Deliver Adult Skills Programme Provision. Opportunities available for the Adult Skills Programme are categorised in accordance with the following funding streams to be incorporated into the structure of a Flexible Framework ("the Framework"): Lot 1 - Skills Foundation Lot 2 - Skills Activation Lot 3 - Skills for Work Procurement Procedure: This procurement involves the establishment of a light touch flexible framework under Section 45 of the Procurement Act 2023 ("the Act") using the flexibilities permitted under the Act in respect to light touch contracts (defined under Section 9 of the Act). The Flexible Framework will be use primarily for the future award of light touch services of adult training and learning provision. The Council reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to amend the structure of the Framework at any time, including (but not limited to) the addition of new Lots and/or the revision, consolidation, or reclassification of existing Lot headings where required to reflect programme needs, funding changes, or strategic priorities for the remaining duration of the Framework. The Framework shall be reopened in accordance with the Procurement Timetable to facilitate the admission of new entrants. In the event that a Supplier does not successfully satisfy the Stage One - Selection Criteria and associated Minimum Requirements ("Stage One"), this shall not preclude the Supplier from future participation. Such Suppliers will be permitted to submit a new application upon any subsequent reopening of the Framework in accordance with the Procurement Timetable. Contract opportunities shall be issued via the relevant funding stream and evaluated in accordance with the Most Advantageous Tender (MAT) criteria, with due consideration given to quality, price, and social value. The Council's Learning, Skills and Employability Service ("LSE") is responsible for commissioning and managing this programme to ensure that adult learners develop the skills, knowledge and qualifications required to secure sustainable employment, progress in work and improve life chances. The Service has an established track record of working effectively with subcontracted training providers and applies robust contract management, performance monitoring and quality assurance arrangements to ensure high-quality delivery, measurable learner progression and value for public investment. A key focus of the Adult Skills Programme will be the achievement of agreed contract outcomes and outputs. Subcontracted providers will be required to deliver against clearly defined performance measures, including learner participation, retention, achievement, progression and positive destinations. The LSE will actively monitor performance throughout the funding year and work with Suppliers to support continuous improvement, ensuring delivery remains compliant with funding rules, contractual requirements and learner and employer needs. The commissioning approach is informed by local, regional and national priorities, with particular emphasis on regional needs and opportunities affecting Sunderland and the wider North East. Provision commissioned through this programme will align with Sunderland City Council's Skills and Employment Strategy 2026-2030, supporting inclusive economic growth, improved productivity and progression opportunities for residents. In addition, delivery is expected to reflect the principles of the New Deal for North East Workers, promoting fair work, improved access to skills, better employment outcomes and targeted support for those furthest from the labour market. Suppliers must note that the subcontracting of any part of the requirements under this Procurement is strictly prohibited. Any indication by a Supplier of an intention to subcontract any part of a Call Off Contract will result in an automatic failure at Stage One, the bid will therefore not proceed to further evaluation. Suppliers should therefore review the contents of the procurement documentation including the Specification in detail. Please note a supplier briefing session will be held via Microsoft Teams at 2:00pm Thursday 2nd July 2026 if you would like to attend please request an invite via the correspondence section in OPEN detailing email addresses of who would like to attend. ### Lot Information Skills Foundation To support adults to build confidence, motivation and essential skills as a first step towards learning or employment. Skills Activation To enable learners who are ready to take a next step to progress into structured training, qualifications or work related pathways Skills for work Skills for Work provision supports adults to gain job-specific skills that lead directly to employment or progression in work. ### Planning Information Please register www.open-uk.org to obtain pre market engagement documents Adult Skills Programme Reference Number OPEN2026997 ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/061697-2026 | | 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 | 1 Jul 2026 | | Submission deadline | 17 Jul 2026 | | Future notice date | 15 May 2026 | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | 31 Jul 2026 - 31 Jul 2029 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £6,165,000 | | Lots value | £6,165,000 | | 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 | SUNDERLAND CITY COUNCIL | | Locality | SUNDERLAND | | Post town | Sunderland | | Postcode | SR1 3AA | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLC North East (England) | | ITL 2 | TLC4 Northumberland, Durham and Tyne & Wear | | ITL 3 | TLC44 Sunderland | | Local authority | Sunderland | | Electoral ward | Millfield | | Westminster constituency | Sunderland Central | | Delivery location | TLC23 Sunderland | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 80 - Education and training services ### Codes - 80000000 - Education and training services ## Release History - 1 Jul 2026 at 11:50 - TenderUpdate - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/061697-2026 - 22 Jun 2026 at 17:25 - Tender - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/058715-2026 - 8 May 2026 at 08:00 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/042238-2026 ## Documents - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/061697-2026 1st July 2026 - Tender notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/058715-2026 22nd June 2026 - Tender notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/042238-2026 8th May 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender - www.open-uk.org The opportunity can be accessed via the NEPO eTender system, Open. Suppliers wishing to be considered to be subsequently invited to tender for this Contract must register their expression of interest and submit the Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ) through the Open eTendering System. If not already registered, suppliers should register on the NEPO eTendering System at https://www.open-uk.org/ The PSQ responses must be submitted using the link above. Responses submitted via postal or email methods will not be accepted. If you need technical assistance from the Open Support team, this can be requested via open.support@nepo.org PLEASE NOTE: Open is accessible 24/7 however, technical support is available Monday - Thursday 8:30 - 5pm and Friday 8.30 - 4.30pm. ## Notice URLs - https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents - https://www.open-hub.org/training - https://www.open-uk.org/ - https://www.openhub.org/training ## 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-069410. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-069410.json.