II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

75100000

II.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS code:

UK

II.2.4) Description of the procurement

The purpose of this Prior Information Notice (PIN) is to inform the market of a forthcoming market engagement event related to a potential upcoming procurement.

The Matrix Standard was launched in 2002 and is the intellectual property of the Secretary of State for Education (DfE) and is Crown Copyright.

It is a quality Standard for the effective delivery of information, advice and/or guidance on learning and work. It promotes the delivery of high-quality information, advice and/or guidance by ensuring organisation’s review, evaluate and continuously develop their service; encourage the take up of professionally recognised qualifications and the continuous professional development of their staff.

The Standard has been developed to assess any delivery method, face-to-face, through training or learning delivered remotely, over the phone or through a website. Organisations are reviewed every 3 years to maintain their accreditation and undertake Annual Continuous Improvement Checks (CIC).

Assessments are carried out by independent, registered matrix Practitioners. These are consultants who are recruited, trained and developed in line with a rigorous quality assurance process by the assessment and certification body. To be on the register practitioners have to comply with the conditions of registration which include insurance and continuous professional development.

The Department for Education (DfE) currently requires all National Careers Service providers to achieve the matrix Standard.

This service will be a concession contract.

The DfE will be undertaking an online market engagement event at 11.00am on 21st May 2024 for interested parties. The event is anticipated to last approximately 90 minutes and will give interested parties an understanding of the aims of the opportunity.

If you wish to attend the event, please use the link found in the additional information section entitled: Administration and Management of the Matrix Standard market engagement session.

This notice is for information and engaging with the supply market only. It is not a binding statement of intent or call for competition. The DfE reserves the right not to enter a formal process and not award a concession contract. The information contained in this notice, including information relating to the nature and scope of the DfE’s requirements, the service classification of this requirement from the list of CPV codes, is only indicative of the DfE’s current thinking and is neither exhaustive nor binding. The DfE reserves the right at its absolute discretion to amend it at the time of issue of any further notices or at any other time.

The DfE will not be liable for any bid cost, expenditure, work or effort incurred by a potential supplier in acting on the basis of this PIN.

II.2.14) Additional information

This service will be a concession contract.