---
title: "Framework Agreement for Provision of Employability and Skills"
ocid: "ocds-r6ebe6-0000600273"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-r6ebe6-0000600273"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000600273.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000600273.json"
source: "Public Contracts Scotland"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "NORTH AYRSHIRE COUNCIL"
published: "2020-07-24"
---

# Framework Agreement for Provision of Employability and Skills

Buyer: NORTH AYRSHIRE COUNCIL  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-r6ebe6-0000600273

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## Summary

North Ayrshire Council is undertaking a tender for a Framework Agreement titled "Employability & Skills framework" aimed at reducing unemployment and alleviating poverty within the local area. This procurement falls under the services industry, specifically geared towards employability services and is located in North Ayrshire, UK. The procurement method adopted is an open procedure. The tender submission deadline is set for 11 March 2020, following which the award period will commence. The resultant contract will span a total of two years with options for two extensions of twelve months each, subject to performance and budgetary approval.

This tender presents a significant opportunity for businesses specialising in employability services, particularly those with experience in delivering tailored support to diverse client groups, including the long-term unemployed and participants facing multiple barriers. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that can offer innovative, community-focused solutions, particularly in the areas of health, education, and vocational training, would be well-suited to participate in this framework. Overall, the framework encourages collaboration among service providers across Ayrshire, creating an environment for sustainable growth and community impact.

## Notice

North Ayrshire Council currently have a framework in place for employability services, the framework supports the council's efforts to reduce unemployment and address issues of poverty within the local area. The current framework is due to expire on 31st July 2020 and therefore the requirement is being retendered. The service delivered will be based on the nationally recognised employability and skills 5 stage pipeline. Services will therefore be delivered in a co-ordinated model that is easy for participants to access, delivers the right service, avoids duplication of service delivery, provides improved outcomes and, provides best value for the public purse The requirement will be delivered across 3 lots The resultant contract will be for a period of 2 years with the option to extend by 2 x 12 month periods dependant on satisfactory performance and budget availability. Bidder should note that the funding package is not guaranteed and is subject to allocations from various funding sources including the European Social Fund. North Ayrshire Council also reserves the option to deliver some of these services in-house.

### Lot Information

End to End Pipeline delivery

This lot relates to North Ayrshire only. These services are delivered across the 5-stage pipeline and meet the needs of a range of different client groups. There is a focus on longer term unemployed with multiple barriers with specific targeting on participants with disabilities, those that are 50+. care leavers, parents including lone parents. This lot will provide end to end key worker services to service users. This will follow the 5 stage pipeline approach.

Options: Additional services required to budget value should additional budget be received

Renewal: 2 x 12 month renewals dependant on satisfactory performance and budget approval

Specialist Key worker Services

This lot relates to North Ayrshire only. This lot will deliver end to end employability services to service users with additional barriers to employment in addition to those presenting within lot 1. This lot is further divided into sublots. Bids will be accepted on one or multiple sublots. One supplier will be allocated to each sublot as follows: (a)- Parental employability support Programme (b)- Employability support for English speakers of other languages (c)- Positive steps - specialist transitional support programme (d) - drug and alcohol support (e) - young people with multiple barriers/ no positive destinations (f) - mental health (re-integration, preparation for employment and resilience (g) - Digital skills (h) - participants in work but on low incomes (upskilling) Lots 2A, 2B and 2C will be awarded as part of the main framework award. Lots 2D-2H will be awarded in future dependant on budget availability.

Renewal: 2 x 12 month renewals

Addressing Health Issues as a Barrier to Employment

This lot will be utilised by all participating authorities (North Ayrshire Council, East Ayrshire Council and South Ayrshire Council) This lot will deal with service users who have health barriers and assist them to employment. This lot will deliver services which address health barriers for both unemployed and employed participants as well as supporting local businesses in Ayrshire address health related work issues. This lot will be a sole supplier agreement

Options: Additional awards by participating authorities as funding is received up to award value

Renewal: 2 x 12 month renewals

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Public Contracts Scotland |
| Latest notice | https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=JUL390905 |
| Notice type | OJEU - F3 - Contract Award Notice |
| Procurement type | Framework |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Open |
| Procurement method details | Open procedure |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | SME |
| All stages | Planning, Tender, Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 24 Jul 2020 |
| Submission deadline | 11 Mar 2020 |
| Future notice date | 16 Dec 2019 |
| Award date | 29 Jun 2020 |
| Contract period | Not specified |
| Recurrence | January 2024 |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £12,000,000 |
| Lots value | £3,500,000 |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | £12,000,000 |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Complete |
| Awards status | Not specified |
| Contracts status | Active |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | NORTH AYRSHIRE COUNCIL |
| Additional buyers | EAST AYRSHIRE COUNCIL; SOUTH AYRSHIRE COUNCIL |
| Locality | IRVINE |
| Post town | Kilmarnock |
| Postcode | KA12 8EE |
| Country | Scotland |
| ITL 1 | TLM Scotland |
| ITL 2 | TLM9 Southern Scotland |
| ITL 3 | TLM93 North Ayrshire and East Ayrshire |
| Local authority | East Ayrshire |
| Electoral ward | Kilmarnock East and Hurlford |
| Westminster constituency | Kilmarnock and Loudoun |
| Delivery location | TLM93 North Ayrshire and East Ayrshire |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 6 |
| Supplier names | BARNARDOS SCOTLAND; CEIS AYRSHIRE; SALUS RETURN TO WORK SERVICES; THE AYRSHIRE COMMUNITY TRUST; THE LENNOX PARTNERSHIP; WEA SCOTLAND |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

### Codes

- 79414000 - Human resources management consultancy services

## Release History

- 24 Jul 2020 at 00:00 - Award - OJEU - F3 - Contract Award Notice - https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=JUL390905
- 13 Feb 2020 at 00:00 - Tender - OJEU - F2 - Contract Notice - https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=FEB380810
- 14 Oct 2019 at 00:00 - Planning - OJEU - F1 - Prior Information Notice - https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=OCT369301

## Documents

- https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/NoticeDownload/DownloadDocument.aspx?id=OCT369301&idx=1
  16th October 2019 - Further information relating to all lots
- https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=OCT369301
  Employability & Skills framework - North Ayrshire Council invites notification of interest for provision of business partners to deliver an employability framework to support the council's efforts to reduce unemployment and address issues of poverty. Lot 3 will be procured on an Ayrshire wide basis and be delivered across North, East and South Ayrshire. These issues clearly have an impact on the performance of the economy and are therefore a priority within the Council Plan and the Economic Regeneration Strategy. This framework will allow the Councils to be more responsive in the way in which it procures services, ensuring effective better targeted support to both individuals and businesses. This programme will be funded by North Ayrshire Council and European Social Funding but could also utilise other external funding sources such as the Ayrshire Growth Deal.
- https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=FEB380810
  Employability & Skills framework - North Ayrshire Council currently have a framework in place for employability services, the framework supports the council's efforts to reduce unemployment and address issues of poverty within the local area. The current framework is due to expire on 31st July 2020 and therefore the requirement is being retendered. The service delivered will be based on the nationally recognised employability and skills 5 stage pipeline. Services will therefore be delivered in a co-ordinated model that is easy for participants to access, delivers the right service, avoids duplication of service delivery, provides improved outcomes and, provides best value for the public purse The requirement will be delivered across 3 lots The resultant contract will be for a period of 2 years with the option to extend by 2 x 12 month periods dependant on satisfactory performance and budget availability. Bidder should note that the funding package is not guaranteed and is subject to allocations from various funding sources including the European Social Fund. North Ayrshire Council also reserves the option to deliver some of these services in-house.
- https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=JUL390905
  Framework Agreement for Provision of Employability and Skills - North Ayrshire Council currently have a framework in place for employability services, the framework supports the council's efforts to reduce unemployment and address issues of poverty within the local area. The current framework is due to expire on 31st July 2020 and therefore the requirement is being retendered. The service delivered will be based on the nationally recognised employability and skills 5 stage pipeline. Services will therefore be delivered in a co-ordinated model that is easy for participants to access, delivers the right service, avoids duplication of service delivery, provides improved outcomes and, provides best value for the public purse The requirement will be delivered across 3 lots The resultant contract will be for a period of 2 years with the option to extend by 2 x 12 month periods dependant on satisfactory performance and budget availability. Bidder should note that the funding package is not guaranteed and is subject to allocations from various funding sources including the European Social Fund. North Ayrshire Council also reserves the option to deliver some of these services in-house.

## Notice URLs

- http://
- http://www.north-ayrshire.gov.uk
- http://www.publictendersscotland.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk
- http://www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/procurement/
- https://api.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/v1/Notice?id=ocds-r6ebe6-0000600273

## 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-r6ebe6-0000600273. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000600273.json.