Contract notice
Section I: Contracting
authority
I.1) Name and addresses
Department for Work and Pensions
Quarry House, Quarry Hill
Leeds
LS2 7UA
UK
E-mail: cd.test-learn@dwp.gov.uk
NUTS: UK
Internet address(es)
Main address: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-work-pensions
I.3) Communication
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dwp-test-and-learn-dynamic-purchasing-system-guidance-for-businesses/dwp-test-and-learn-dps-how-to-register-and-apply
Additional information can be obtained from the abovementioned address
Tenders or requests to participate must be sent electronically to:
https://dwp.bravosolution.co.uk/web/login.shtml
Tenders or requests to participate must be sent to the abovementioned address
I.4) Type of the contracting authority
Ministry or any other national or federal authority, including their regional or local subdivisions
I.5) Main activity
Social protection
Section II: Object
II.1) Scope of the procurement
II.1.1) Title
Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) for Employment and Health Related Test and Learn Provision
Reference number: pqq_28831
II.1.2) Main CPV code
80000000
II.1.3) Type of contract
Services
II.1.4) Short description
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has updated the 'Dynamic Purchasing System for Employment and Health Related Test and Learn Provision' Core Terms and Schedules (“Test and Learn DPS Contract”) alongside the Instructions to Potential Suppliers and Application Guidance documentation. The updates to the Test and Learn DPS Contract shall take effect on 8th February 2024.
To summarise, the changes to the Test and Learn DPS are as follows:
- Removal/replacement of certain European Union references;
- Updated security call-off schedule;
- Updated data processing provisions;
- Addition of an optional staff transfer call-off schedule;
- Change in the sequencing of signatures in the call-off award procedure so a buyer (rather than the supplier) will sign a call-off award form second;
- Change in the approach to financial standing assessments with more focus placed on a detailed assessment to be undertaken at the call-off competition stage rather than when potential suppliers apply to be admitted to the DPS; and
- Consequential amendments in light of changes referred to above.
DWP has also extended the anticipated duration of the Test and Learn DPS by an additional two years. The Test and Learn DPS is open ended but now has a nominal end date of 30 September 2026 (which may be extended further). The Test and Learn DPS Contract can be terminated by DWP with twenty (20) Working Days' notice.
II.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT:
20 000 000.00
GBP
II.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots:
No
II.2) Description
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
80500000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKC
UKD
UKE
UKF
UKG
UKH
UKI
UKJ
UKK
UKL
UKM
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
This is a Contract Notice for social and specific services in accordance with regulation 75 of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (as amended). DWP established the Test and Learn DPS to procure these activities in in England, Scotland and Wales on 9 November 2018. The DPS is for the procurement of social and other services referred to in Regulation 74 of the Public Contracts Regulations (2015) and as such, the DPS was established using a light touch regime.
This DPS presents opportunities for organisations, with a focus on innovation and local specialist support, to be involved and test the development of new approaches for employment and health related activity. This will be key to building evidence to support the delivery of future provision at both national and local level.
DWP cannot confirm or guarantee any future business through the DPS, but it is anticipated that there will be some limited numbers of proof of concepts / test and learn projects over the duration of the DPS.
The T&L DPS is open ended with a nominal end date of 30 September 2026 (which may be extended further) but can be terminated by the Authority with twenty (20) Working Days' notice.
In line with the original OJEU notice, the expected total value of all call-off contracts under the T&L DPS is approximately £20,000,000.
This DPS Contract will be for the use of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and other contracting bodies (listed below), their Executive Agencies and those Non-Departmental Public Bodies (NDPBs) sponsored by them. Further information including a list of such Agencies and Public Bodies can be viewed by selecting "Ministerial Departments (link is external)" on the Departmental website (link is external):
- The Department for Work and Pensions,
- Ministry of Justice,
- Department of Health and Social Care,
- The Department for Education,
- Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government,
- Home Office,
- Scottish Government,
- Welsh Government,
- Local Authorities in England, Scotland and Wales.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents
II.2.6) Estimated value
Value excluding VAT:
20 000 000.00
GBP
II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
End:
30/09/2026
This contract is subject to renewal: No
II.2.9) Information about the limits on the number of candidates to be invited
II.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted:
No
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
No
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
Section III: Legal, economic, financial and technical information
III.1) Conditions for participation
III.1.2) Economic and financial standing
Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents
III.1.3) Technical and professional ability
Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents
III.2) Conditions related to the contract
Section IV: Procedure
IV.1) Description
IV.1.1) Type of procedure
Open procedure
IV.1.8) Information about Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement:
Yes
IV.2) Administrative information
IV.2.1) Previous publication concerning this procedure
Notice number in the OJ S:
2018/S 205-468119
IV.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate
Date:
17/09/2026
Local time: 12:00
IV.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted
EN
IV.2.7) Conditions for opening of tenders
Date:
17/09/2026
Local time: 12:00
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.1) Information about recurrence
This is a recurrent procurement:
No
VI.3) Additional information
Suppliers Instructions:
How to Express Interest in this Tender:
1. Register on the eSourcing portal (this is only required once):
https://dwp.bravosolution.co.uk & click the link to register - Accept the terms & conditions & click 'continue' - Enter your correct business & user details - Note your chosen username & click 'Save'. You will receive an email with your password (keep this secure)
2. Express an Interest in the tender - Login to the portal with the username/password - Click the 'PQQs / ITTs Open To All Suppliers' link. (These are Pre-Qualification Questionnaires or Invitations to Tender open to any registered supplier) - Click on the relevant exercise to access the content. - Click the 'Express Interest' button at the top of the page. - This will move the PQQ /ITT into your 'My PQQs/ My ITTs' page. (A secure area reserved for your projects only) -You can now access any attachments by clicking 'Buyer Attachments' in the 'PQQ/ ITT Details' box
3. Responding to the tender - Click 'My Response' under 'PQQ/ ITT Details', you can choose to 'Create Response' or to 'Decline to Respond' (please give a reason if declining) - You can now use the 'Messages' function to communicate with the buyer and seek any clarification - Note the deadline for completion. Follow the onscreen instructions to complete the PQQ/ ITT - There may be a mixture of online & offline actions to complete (detailed online help available). To submit your reply use the 'Submit Response' button (top of the page).
For further assistance please consult the online help, or the eTendering help desk.
DWP expressly reserves the rights(i)to use a reverse auction; (ii)to cancel this procurement at any stage; (iii)to not award any contract as a result of the procurement process commenced by publication of this notice; (iv)and in no circumstances will DWP be liable for any costs incurred by potential suppliers.
VI.4) Procedures for review
VI.4.1) Review body
Department for Work and Pensions
Quarry House, Quarry Hill
Leeds
LS2 7UA
UK
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
08/02/2024