Contract notice
Section I: Contracting
authority
I.1) Name and addresses
Hertfordshire County Council
Pegs Lane
HERTFORD
SG13 8DE
UK
Contact person: Strategic Procurement Group
Telephone: +44 01707292601
E-mail: anita.shipman@hertfordshire.gov.uk
NUTS: UKH23
Internet address(es)
Main address: www.hertfordshire.gov.uk
Address of the buyer profile: https://in-tendhost.co.uk/supplyhertfordshire/aspx/Home
I.3) Communication
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge at:
https://in-tendhost.co.uk/supplyhertfordshire/aspx/Home
Additional information can be obtained from the abovementioned address
Tenders or requests to participate must be sent electronically to:
https://in-tendhost.co.uk/supplyhertfordshire/aspx/Home
Tenders or requests to participate must be sent to the abovementioned address
I.4) Type of the contracting authority
Regional or local authority
I.5) Main activity
General public services
Section II: Object
II.1) Scope of the procurement
II.1.1) Title
HCC Sept 2024 – Framework Agreement for the Provision of Adult and Tailored Learning Services (Step2Skills)
Reference number: HCC2415960
II.1.2) Main CPV code
80400000
II.1.3) Type of contract
Services
II.1.4) Short description
Hertfordshire County Council (hereinafter referred to as the Council), are out to procurement for a Framework Agreement for the Provision of Adult and Tailored Learning Services. Further information regarding this opportunity can be found in II.2.4 and VI.3 below. Organisations wishing to take part in this project are invited to "express interest" which will give access to the full procurement documents in the e-tendering system. Please see VI.3) Additional information for further information. Any questions relating to this procurement must be made via the correspondence area in the e-Tendering system, in accordance with the procurement documents and can be addressed to the main contact as shown in the details above.
II.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT:
7 000 000.00
GBP
II.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots:
No
II.2) Description
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
80000000
80400000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKH23
Main site or place of performance:
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
Hertfordshire County Council is out to procurement for a Framework Agreement for the Provision of Adult and Tailored Learning Services.As part of Hertfordshire County Council, Step2Skills is the Adult and Tailored Learning service and provides opportunities for adults in Hertfordshire to get involved in learning within the community. They aim to collaborate with people who face barriers to education and employment such as low skills, learning or physical disabilities, and mental health conditions. Step2Skills is looking to establish a Framework Agreement with a number of Subcontractors to provide a range of adult and tailored learning opportunities to target groups within the population of Hertfordshire. Subcontractors awarded onto the Framework Agreement will have the opportunity to bid for the year 1 Call-Off early in 2025.Tenderers must be included in the UK Register of Learning Providers (UKLRP) and have a valid UK Provider Reference Number (UKPRN). Step2Skills has been undertaking an annual Service Needs Analysis to understand priority locations and populations since the adult education service started. This analysis also informs the commissioning process and the evaluation of potential delivery partners in terms of links with target populations, experience of meeting national and local needs whilst also delivering value for money. All delivery must demonstrate value for money, with clear progression routes towards further learning, employment and/or better mental health. Step2Skills and its partners are subject to Ofsted inspections, ensuring compliance with the Further Education and Skills Education Inspection Framework. Full details are in the Specification, Schedule 1 of the Terms and Conditions document.The estimated total value of the Framework Agreement is stated in II.1.5) of this notice and is for the initial term inclusive of the approximate value for extensions. For the avoidance of doubt, the estimated annual spend is approximately £1,500,000. The total value advertised is to cover any additional funding that may be available during the period of the Framework Agreement. The Framework Agreement will be awarded for an initial term of two years, with the option to extend the Framework Agreement up to two further years on an annual basis. Please note that the contract requirements will be subject to available financial resources, supplier performance and flexibility to meet changing demands.Organisations should be aware that due to the nature of the Services provided, any Framework Agreement formed as a result of this procurement process shall be executed as a deed. Organisations should seek independent legal advice on the implications of this prior to submitting their bid, where appropriate.
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:
7 000 000.00
GBP
II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months: 24
This contract is subject to renewal: Yes
Description of renewals:
This Framework Agreement will be reviewed at the end of the Framework Agreement period.
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:
Yes
Description of options:
Option to extend the initial Framework Agreement period for further period(s) of up to two (2) years on an annual basis, at the Council’s sole discretion .
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
II.2.14) Additional information
Tenderers should be aware that due to the nature of the Services provided, any Framework Agreement formed as a result of this procurement process shall be executed as a deed. Tenderers should seek independent legal advice on the implications of this prior to submitting their Tender, where appropriate.
Section III: Legal, economic, financial and technical information
III.1) Conditions for participation
III.1.1) Suitability to pursue the professional activity, including requirements relating to enrolment on professional or trade registers
List and brief description of conditions:
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.1.3) Information about a framework agreement or a dynamic purchasing system
The procurement involves the establishment of a framework agreement with several operators.
Justification for any framework agreement duration exceeding 4 years: N/A
IV.1.8) Information about Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement:
Yes
IV.2) Administrative information
IV.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate
Date:
28/10/2024
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:
28/10/2024
Local time: 12:00
Place:
Hertfordshire
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.1) Information about recurrence
This is a recurrent procurement:
Yes
VI.3) Additional information
Please note Hertfordshire County Council has worked closely with its districts and partners to create a joint procurement portal called supply Hertfordshire. This portal provides an e-Tendering system which is run by In-Tend.To access this procurement opportunity please visit https://in-tendhost.co.uk/supplyhertfordshire/aspx/Home and follow the on-screen guidanceThis is a one stage procurement process. Therefore, if you wish to be considered as a tenderer you must complete and submit a tender by the specified closing date and time. Tender submissions cannot be uploaded after this return deadline.If you are experiencing problems In-Tend offer a help section which includes a dedicated UK support desk which can be contacted via email: support@in-tend.co.uk or Telephone: +44 1144070065 for any website/technical questions, Monday to Friday, 8:30-17:00.The Council reserves the right at any time to cease the procurement process and not award the Framework Agreement or to award only part of the opportunity described in this notice. If the Council takes up this right, then they will not be responsible for or pay the expenses or losses, which may be incurred by any organisation or tenderer as a result.The Council undertakes to hold confidential any information provided in the proposal submitted, subject to the Council's obligations under the law including the Freedom of Information Act 2000. If the organisation considers that any of the information submitted in the proposal should not be disclosed because of its sensitivity then this should be stated with the reason for considering it sensitive. The Council will then endeavour to consult with the applicant about such sensitive information when considering any request received under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 before replying to such a request.The Council reserves the right to carry out additional financial checks on all organisations bidding for this opportunity at any time during the procurement process. This is to ensure that they continue to meet the Council's requirements and remain financially viable to fulfil the requirements under the Agreement.
VI.4) Procedures for review
VI.4.1) Review body
High Court, Royal Courts of Justice
The Strand
London
WC2A 2LL
UK
VI.4.2) Body responsible for mediation procedures
High Court, Royal Courts of Justice
The Strand
London
WC2A 2LL
UK
VI.4.3) Review procedure
Precise information on deadline(s) for review procedures:
The Contracting Authority will incorporate a minimum 10 calendar day (when using electronic means) standstill period at the point information on the award of the Framework Agreement is communicated to tenderers. This period allows unsuccessful tenderers to challenge the decision to award the Framework Agreement before the Framework Agreement is executed/signed (as appropriate). The Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (‘Regulations’) provide for aggrieved parties who have been harmed or at risk of harm by a breach of the rules to take action in the High Court (England, Wales and Northern Ireland). Any such action must be brought promptly and within the time limits as defined in the above regulations. Where the Framework Agreement has not been entered into the court may order the setting aside of the award decision or order the contracting authority to amend any document and may award damages. If the Framework Agreement has been entered into the court has the options to award damages and/or to shorten or order the Framework Agreement ineffective.
VI.4.4) Service from which information about the review procedure may be obtained
Chief Legal Officer, Hertfordshire County Council
Pegs Lane
Hertford
SG13 8DE
UK
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
26/09/2024