Invitation to Tender For the Delivery of Education and Training Services During academic year 2016 to 2017

Transcription

1 Invitation to Tender For the Delivery of Education and Training Services During academic year 2016 to 2017 REF: SC-2016-ITT-01 Specification and Instructions Issued May 2016 The separate submission document should be completed and returned in accordance with the information and instructions set out in this document Replies to be submitted by: 17:00 on Friday 17 th June address: SC-2016-ITT-01 Sub-Contracted Provision Specification + Instructions May-2016 Page 1 of 12

2 1 Requirements 1.1 Information Barking & Dagenham College () is a large successful further education college with approximately 12,500 students (9000 are 19+, 3,500 aged 16 18) located in East London. The college offers hundreds of courses at many levels BTEC, A-Levels, HNC/HND, up to a post-graduate MBA. Winner of 6 national awards, a Gazelle college and home to the only regional Gazelle STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Maths) Centre within the M25, trains around 860 apprentices each year (750 Intermediate and Advanced level apprentices, and 110 Higher Level apprentices), making it one of the largest providers of apprenticeship training in London. At, delivery of training through sub-contracted partners is firmly linked to the College s strategic objectives and to the local, regional and national agenda of skills development, employer engagement and widening participation in education, training and employment. The college seeks to work with organisations who have established links with those groups and individuals that have been traditionally under-represented in education, training and employment and that remain hard to reach. The College also seeks to increase the breadth of its offer by engaging commercial organisations that deliver specialist provision. In compliance with the requirements of our funders, sub-contracted delivery is subject to robust quality assurance and compliance monitoring processes. For the academic year the college will create an approved supplier list and then invite approved suppliers to bid for delivery when funding is available. This Invitation to Tender (ITT) is a tendering opportunity for training providers on the Skills Funding Agency Register of Training Organisations to deliver named Skills Funding Agency (SFA) and Education Funding agency (EFA) provision. It is following the light-touch regime permitted under Regulations 74 to 77 of the Public Contract Regulations Instructions for applicants These instructions apply to the tendering process for this contract to ensure that all tenderers are treated equally and fairly and to provide for compliance with other relevant legal requirements. Failure to comply with these Instructions and Conditions may invalidate your tender a) The agreement and any subsequent contracts will be subject to s general terms and conditions of contract (attached separately) and also to any special conditions of contract which may be included within the tender document. Where the standard conditions are inconsistent with the special conditions, the special conditions will prevail. b) Depending on circumstances of the tender process the contract will commence from 1 st August 2016 and will expire on 31st July 2017, unless terminated or extended in accordance with the contract conditions. See Section 3 for any Lot specific requirements on dates c) A submitted tender is an irrevocable offer by the tenderer and the tenderer separately undertakes with that the tender will remain open for acceptance by for a period of 3 calendar months calculated from the day following the closing date for receipt of tenders. SC-2016-ITT-01 Sub-Contracted Provision Specification + Instructions May-2016 Page 2 of 12

3 d) reserves the right to accept tenders in whole or in part. e) reserves the right to cancel the entire or parts of the tender, without such an action conferring any right to compensation on the Tenderers. f) Only the information contained within this invitation to tender document, or otherwise communicated in writing to tenderers with direct reference to this tender should be considered by tenderers when making their offer. g) The submission of false or incorrect information or declaration(s) will invalidate your tender and, if not identified by until after the award of the contract, will be considered a fundamental breach of the contract. h) will not be liable for any costs or expenses incurred by applicants in completing and submitting their tender or re-tender whether or not it is successful. i) The Tenderer agrees to notify and provide additional information if at any stage after submitting the tender any information contained in it becomes no longer true or accurate. j) reserves the right to retain all and any of the information supplied to it by the Tenderer(s) k) reserves the right to amend its tender documents in any respect at any time prior to the closing date and time for receipt of tenders. Any such amendment will be notified to all tenderers via to the contact who originally requested the ITT, before the closing date and time. You must confirm in writing when you submit your tender that it provides for compliance with all amendments so notified. l) may at its discretion extend the closing date and time for receipt of tenders by electronic written notification to all tenderers via Completing and submitting your tender a) Tenders must be submitted on the official Submission Form provided with the tender documents. The Submission Form must be completed in all material respects. Please use Arial font, size 11 within the specified word counts. Any text above the word count or any diagrams will be disregarded. Tenders not complying with these requirements may be rejected. b) Tenders shall only be submitted on the basis that they are bona fide competitive tenders. It is therefore agreed that shall have the power to cancel the contract and to recover from the Tenderer the amount of any loss arising from the cancellation if the Tenderer shall have offered or given or agreed to give any officer or member of staff any gift or consideration of any kind as an inducement or bribe to influence its decision in the tendering procedure. The word Tenderer for these purposes shall be deemed to include any and all persons employed by the Tenderer, or who are purporting to act on the Tenderers behalf whether the Tenderer is aware of their acts or not. c) To enable to assess your organisation's suitability, we require you to provide all of the information requested. Failure to complete the tender documentation in full or to provide any of the documents requested may result in your application being rejected. Rather than leaving answer spaces blank, if the question does not apply to you please write Not applicable or N/a. If you do not have/know the answer please write Not known or N/k. SC-2016-ITT-01 Sub-Contracted Provision Specification + Instructions May-2016 Page 3 of 12

4 d) When completing the document on-line you may enlarge the answer boxes to ensure you have sufficient space to respond within the specified word count. However, you must not alter or amend the questionnaire in any other way and under no circumstances should the questions be altered in any way as doing so will result in your application being rejected. e) Where supporting documents are requested, these should be clearly cross referenced to the appropriate section of the ITT. reserves the right to call for further evidence or copies of such documents at any stage during the procurement process. f) Tenderers are requested to specify with reasons if any information contained in its tender submission is confidential. will use reasonable endeavours to keep such information confidential but does not guarantee to do so if it is obliged to disclose such information pursuant to its duties under the Freedom of Information Act g) reserves the right to seek clarification, after tenders have been received, from any tenderer, on any aspect of their tender. h) Electronic written acceptance by of this tender, (or part of this tender), shall create or constitute an agreement between and the tenderer, expressly incorporating the Submission Form, the Conditions of Contract, any Special Conditions of Contract and the Specification. The tender documents require the Sub-Contractor to enter into a formal written agreement with then unless and until that formal written contract is executed by and the tenderer, together these documents shall form the contract. i) will as requested under the SFA guidance publish details of the successful Sub- Contractors and the total contract value. j) The completed submission consisting of: 1) Part 1 Due Diligence information, 2) A scanned signed copy of the Declaration Form, 3) Part 2 a completed Submission Form for each Lot tendered, should be ed to: procurement@bdc.ac.uk with the subject SC-2016 Submission by 17:00 on Friday 17 June Requesting Clarification a) Should there be any doubt or confusion as to the meaning of any provision contained in the tender documentation or you have any queries or concerns with the tender documentation including the terms and conditions of contract, you should obtain clarification prior to the submission of your tender. All tenderers will be informed of any points of clarification and s response. The identity of the tenderer requesting clarification will not be disclosed. b) All requests for clarification should be submitted electronically to the address procurement@bdc.ac.uk with the subject SC-2016 Clarification Request. No other form of communication will be permitted. c) Requests for clarification will be accepted until 17:00 on Friday 10 th June 2016, after which time will be unable to provide any further clarification. SC-2016-ITT-01 Sub-Contracted Provision Specification + Instructions May-2016 Page 4 of 12

5 2 Application Timescales Timeframes Activity Responsibility Date Publish the Contract Notice on OJEU Publish the Advert and tender documents Deadline for receipts for clarification Maintain and publish Q&A sheet Deadline for receipt of Proposals Note that any late submissions will not be accepted Optional presentations for organisations that have been successful at ITT stage Provisionally scheduled for 28 th and 29 th June. Please ensure you keep these dates free in case you are invited to present. Complete the evaluation of responses Notify tenderers of outcome 10 day standstill period Tenderer Tenderer Tenders Friday 12-May-2016 Wednesday 18-May-2016 Friday 10-June :00 Final update Monday 13-June-2016 Friday 17-June :00 W/c 27-June-2016 Friday 01-July-2016 Monday 4-July-2016 Issue Contract to successful suppliers Delivery Start date Publish Contract Award notice in OJEU Sub-Contractor Wednesday 13-July-2016 Monday 1-August-2016 Wednesday 31-August-2016 Contract End date Sub-Contractor 31-July-2017 SC-2016-ITT-01 Sub-Contracted Provision Specification + Instructions May-2016 Page 5 of 12

6 3 Service Requirements The College is seeking organisations to deliver the following provision: Lot Number 1 2 Funder Provision Sector focus / priority Skills Funding Agency Skills Funding Agency Apprenticeships 19+ Apprenticeships 16 to 18 Traineeships 19 to 24 Traineeships Priorities as BIS Letter 15 December 2015 As London LEP priorities Progression route onto Apprenticeships Maximum Budget Available Minimum Contract Value 400k 100k 250k 100k 125k 60k 125k 50k 3 Skills Funding Agency Adult Education Budget (AEB) Classroom provision Employment Priorities as BIS Letter 15 December 2015 As London LEP priorities 800k 200k 4 Education Funding Agency Study Programmes Supported Internships Capacity to deliver GCSE Qualifications Enable young people with learning difficulties and/or disabilities to achieve sustainable, paid employment. 340k 150k 50k 50k Notes: 1. The maximum budget available is the funding drawdown before management fee has been deducted. management fees are in line with published supply chain policy which can be found on: _and_charging_policy_v2.0.pdf 2. reserve the right to alter the total budget amount and the allocation of budgets between the Lots. General points for all Lots: Tenderers must be able to demonstrate: they have the capacity and staffing structure to deliver their proposed volumes, their understanding and compliance with the requirements of the funding agencies and Ofsted and how their quality systems meet these. SC-2016-ITT-01 Sub-Contracted Provision Specification + Instructions May-2016 Page 6 of 12

7 3.1 Lot 1: and 19+ Apprenticeships Apprenticeship suppliers will be required to ensure they deliver Intermediate, Advanced and Higher level apprenticeship programmes that comply with the requirements of the Skills Funding Agency Funding Rules 2016 to 2017 and the relevant awarding body criteria. They will be expected to meet Ofsted Grade 1/Grade 2 quality standards as specified in the Common Inspection Framework through (in order of preference): Ofsted inspections, or externally moderated Self-Assessment Reports or External Verification reports from Awarding Bodies. Providers must be registered on the SFA Register of Training Organisations and have Direct Claim Status with the relevant awarding body. In light of the significant changes being introduced under the new apprenticeship levy, due to start in April 2017, the last date for new learners starting an apprenticeship under this tender is 5 th April The service requirements are as follows: Demonstrate successful track record of delivery of proposed service provision. Generate appropriate apprenticeship opportunities with both employers and learners. Effectively market apprenticeship qualifications, in order to ensure that contracted volumes are delivered. Utilise the services of the Apprenticeship Service. Undertake initial engagement meetings with learners, which will include eligibility checks and the completion of Matrix standard Information Advice and Guidance and diagnostic assessments. Work with local employers to identify apprenticeship opportunities and support employers through the process of apprenticeship delivery. Identify employers eligible for the Apprenticeship Grant for Employers (AGE), and complete the relevant paperwork with supporting evidence. Provide learners with high quality learning throughout the duration of their programme. This will include all elements defined in the published Framework covering knowledge, competence, functional skills, Employment Rights and Responsibilities and Personal Learning and Thinking Skills. Staffing structure to include a dedicated Apprenticeship co-ordinator supported by a learner tracking system. Retention, achievement and success rates to be at or above national benchmarks, for all learning aims and whole frameworks. Provide evidence of learner progression to either higher level apprenticeships or other training with employers. Manage Awarding Body registrations and assessment arrangements including Internal and External Verification. Maintain individual learner records that comply with Skills Funding Agency requirements and s contract management framework. is interested in organisations that can offer unique and innovative approaches to their service delivery. We are seeking to work with organisations that can evidence existing infrastructure and a proven track record of delivery in the following areas: Greater London and borders up to M25 Essex (NUTS code UKH3) West Kent (NUTS code UKJ46), Kent Thames Gateway (NUTS code UKJ43) Kent Medway (NUTS code UKJ41) Organisations are reminded that second level sub-contracting is not permitted. SC-2016-ITT-01 Sub-Contracted Provision Specification + Instructions May-2016 Page 7 of 12

8 3.2 Lot 2: Traineeships Traineeship suppliers will be required to ensure they deliver programmes that comply with Skills Funding Agency and awarding body requirements including Maths and English qualifications. They will be expected to meet Ofsted Grade 1/Grade 2 quality standards as specified in the Common Inspection Framework through (in order of preference): Ofsted inspections, or externally moderated Self-Assessment Reports or External Verification reports from Awarding Bodies. Providers must be registered on the SFA Register of Training Organisations and have Direct Claim Status with the relevant awarding body. The service requirements are as follows: Demonstrate successful track record of delivery of proposed service provision Evidence strong established links with named employers Effectively market Traineeships, in order to ensure that contracted volumes are delivered Undertake initial engagement meetings with learners, which will include the completion of Matrix standard Information Advice and Guidance and diagnostic assessments Provide learners with high quality learning throughout the duration of their programme. This will include all elements defined by the Skills Funding Agency Funding Rules 2016 to 2017 including but not limited to: - English & maths requirements - Planned hours - Personal and social development - Work-preparation training - Work placement Staffing structure to include a work-placement co-ordinator supported by a learner tracking system. Retention, achievement and success rates to be at or above national benchmarks, for all learning aims and programmes Manage Awarding Body registrations and assessment arrangements including Internal and External Verification Maintain individual learner records that comply with Education Funding Agency requirements and s contract management framework We are seeking to work with organisations that have existing delivery infrastructure and a proven track record of delivery in Greater London (NUTS code UKI). is interested in organisations that can evidence unique and innovative approaches to their service delivery. Organisations are reminded that second level sub-contracting is not permitted. SC-2016-ITT-01 Sub-Contracted Provision Specification + Instructions May-2016 Page 8 of 12

9 3.3 Lot 3: Adult Education Budget (AEB) Classroom provision Suppliers will be required to ensure they deliver programmes that comply with the requirements of the Skills Funding Agency Funding Rules 2016 to 2017 and the relevant awarding body criteria. They will be expected to meet Ofsted Grade 1/Grade 2 quality standards as specified in the Common Inspection Framework through (in order of preference): Ofsted inspections, or externally moderated Self-Assessment Reports or External Verification reports from Awarding Bodies. Providers must be registered on the SFA Register of Training Organisations and have Direct Claim Status with the relevant awarding body. The service requirements are as follows: Demonstrate successful track record of delivery of proposed service provision Support Adult learners on their journey back into work. Plan a programme of qualifications which: - Promote English and maths qualifications including ESOL where required - lead to improved employability skills, - are in line with the priorities identified in the letter from BIS dated 15 December 2015 and - are in line London LEP priorities Effectively market programmes, in order to ensure that contracted volumes are delivered Undertake initial engagement meetings with learners, which will include eligibility checks and the completion of matrix standard Information Advice and Guidance and diagnostic assessments Provide learners with high quality learning throughout the duration of their programme. Retention, achievement and success rates to be at or above national benchmarks, for all learning aims. Provide evidence of learner progression to employment, further and higher education Manage Awarding Body registrations and assessment arrangements including Internal and External Verification Maintain individual learner records that comply with Skills Funding Agency requirements and s contract management framework is interested in organisations that can offer unique and innovative approaches to their service delivery. We particularly welcome sector-based work academies. We are seeking to work with organisations that can evidence existing infrastructure and a proven track record of delivery in the following areas: Greater London and borders up to M25 Essex (NUTS code UKH3) West Kent (NUTS code UKJ46), Kent Thames Gateway (NUTS code UKJ43) Kent Medway (NUTS code UKJ41) Organisations are reminded that second level sub-contracting is not permitted. SC-2016-ITT-01 Sub-Contracted Provision Specification + Instructions May-2016 Page 9 of 12

10 3.4 Lot 4: Study Programmes and Supported Internships Suppliers will be required to ensure they deliver qualifications that comply with Education Funding Agency and awarding body requirements including Maths and English qualifications. They will be expected to meet Ofsted Grade 1/Grade 2 quality standards as specified in the Common Inspection Framework through (in order of preference): Ofsted inspections, or externally moderated Self-Assessment Reports or External Verification reports from Awarding Bodies. Providers must have Direct Claim Status with the relevant awarding body. The service requirements are as follows: Demonstrate successful track record of delivery of proposed service provision Effectively market Study Programmes and/or Supported Internships, in order to ensure that contracted volumes are delivered Undertake initial engagement meetings with learners, which will include the completion of Matrix standard Information Advice and Guidance and diagnostic assessments Retention, achievement and success rates to be at or above national benchmarks, for all learning aims and programmes Manage Awarding Body registrations and assessment arrangements including Internal and External Verification Maintain individual learner records that comply with Education Funding Agency requirements and s contract management framework Provide learners with high quality learning throughout the duration of their programme. This will include all elements defined by the Education Funding Agency in their Funding guidance for young people 2016 to 2017 and the Skills Funding Agency Funding Rules 2016 to 2017 including but not limited to: - English & maths requirements including GCSE where applicable - Planned hours (both less than 450 hours and 450 or more hours) - Qualification hours - Personal and social development - Study programme work experience or supported internships - Traineeship work-preparation training and work placement We are seeking to work with organisations that have existing delivery infrastructure and a proven track record of delivery in Greater London (NUTS code UKI). is interested in organisations that can offer unique and innovative approaches to their service delivery. Organisations are reminded that second level sub-contracting is not permitted. 4 Completion of the Submission Form When completing the form, it is important to have read the service requirements and consider your response in relation to the service. Completion of this document does not constitute any contractual agreement between and your organisation, but rather will help us to assess your organisation s ability to work with us. run all procurement activities in a fair and open manner; therefore all ITT forms will be assessed and where an organisation is unsuccessful feedback will be provided. SC-2016-ITT-01 Sub-Contracted Provision Specification + Instructions May-2016 Page 10 of 12

11 5 Scoring Methodology When considering tenders the following criteria will be applied by 5.1 Due Diligence Stage The Supplier Selection Questionnaire must be completed in full and with satisfactory answers to progress to the tender award stage. Each section will be scored on a Pass/Fail basis. The table below provides guidance on the responses required to achieve a Pass mark. Section Pass Mark Criteria 1 Details of your organisation and All fields completed as required. Information structure 1.2 Mandatory Requirements You must be registered with UKRLP, on the SFA s RTO, with the Information Commissioner s Office and have matrix accreditation 1.3 Management details The named directors must not be on the list of disqualified directors held by Companies House and any relationships with which could cause a conflict of interest must be declared. 2 Grounds for Mandatory Exclusion Negative response to all questions or satisfactory explanation where requested 3 Grounds for Discretionary Exclusion Negative response to all questions or satisfactory explanation where requested 4 Economic and Financial Standing Positive response to questions a) Negative response to questions b) and c) or satisfactory explanation where requested Question d): either positive response or if negative response then positive response to e) which will require using financial benchmarks to assess financial risk. 5 Disputes Negative response to all questions or satisfactory explanation where requested 6 Health, Safety, Insurance and Staff Recruitment 6.1 Insurance Details 5,000,000 Employer Liability Public Liability, and Professional Indemnity insurance held 6.2 Details of Policies Current policies in place 6.3 Details of Incidents Negative response to all questions or satisfactory explanation where requested 7 Accreditations 7.1 Inspections and Self-Assessment Evidence of meeting Ofsted Grade 1/Grade 2 quality standards as per the Common Inspection Framework 7.2 Awarding Bodies Positive response to all questions or satisfactory explanation where requested 7.2 Standards and Accreditations Indicators of quality Those Tenderers who fail the Due Diligence stage will not progress to the tender award stage and their Tender Application Form will not be evaluated. SC-2016-ITT-01 Sub-Contracted Provision Specification + Instructions May-2016 Page 11 of 12

12 5.2 Tender Award Stage Those Tenderers who have successfully passed the selection stage will have their individual Lot proposals evaluated against the criteria and weightings detailed below: Tender Award Criteria Weighting 1. Contract Performance Details For The Last Three Years 20% 2: Service Proposal 15% 3 Details of Capability 10% 4 Your Proposal 15% 5 Unique and Innovative Approaches 5% 6 Network and Relationships 5% 7 Quality Monitoring 20% 8 References 10% TOTAL 100% Score Given Description 5 Significantly exceeds the minimum requirements, giving added value 4 Meets the requirements 3 Meets the requirements except minor aspects 2 Does not meet all requirements but may be adaptable 0 Major non-compliance with the requirements or no answer provided Barking & Dagenham College reserve the right to ask clarification questions of the suppliers at the tender award stage and/or the mini-competition stage in order to better understand the answers given and explore the validity of them. The answers to these questions will be used in assessing the bid in line with the scores and weightings listed above. SC-2016-ITT-01 Sub-Contracted Provision Specification + Instructions May-2016 Page 12 of 12