CONTRACT NOTICE – NATIONAL

1 Authority Details

1.1

Authority Name and Address

1.2

Address from which documentation may be obtained

As in 1.1

1.3

Completed documents must be returned to:

As in 1.1

2 Contract Details

2.1

Title

A qualitative review on part-time provision at Higher Education Providers in Wales

2.2

Description of the goods or services required

HEFCW tender reference: T06HE/2019/20

The Higher Education Funding Council for Wales (HEFCW) is a Welsh Government Sponsored Body, established under the Further and Higher Education Act 1992. HEFCW’s vision is for sustainable, accessible, internationally excellent higher education in Wales. In pursuit of this vision we fund higher education in Wales; regulate higher education providers in Wales; influence higher education with evidence based advice and strong partnership working; work in partnership with students and operate effectively as an organisation. HEFCW also monitors Welsh higher education (HE) provision within further education (FE) institutions. A copy of HEFCW’s most recent annual report is available on its website www.hefcw.ac.uk where information on its Corporate Strategy, including its mission and aims can also be found.

There are nine HE institutions, two regulated FE institutions and one funded FE institution in Wales. The institutions are located across Wales and deliver a variety of provision. The Open University in Wales is included in this research, given its focus on delivering part-time provision for students at all levels. HEFCW does not monitor all part-time provision that takes place outside of regulated or funded institutions across Wales, for example, for provision that is delivered on a specifically designated course at an alternative provider.

HEFCW is reviewing its part-time funding methodology and is undertaking a quantitative analysis of this higher education provision across Wales. We want to supplement this statistical analysis with additional analysis of models of provision, including good practice and challenges in delivery, and via engagement with the key players in terms of all aspects of part-time HE provision in Wales. We expect the work also to include a focus on the part-time student experience, including the student voice, Welsh medium, widening access and equality and diversity.

The aim of this contract is to identify and review the current state of all modes of part-time provision, including how they are funded within higher education in Wales. This should be conducted through desk-based analysis and telephone interviews. The review will inform our recommendations to HEFCW’s Council regarding how this provision should be funded in the future. This review should also take account of the work conducted in 2012 on Employer Engagement with part-time higher education. Key themes may be revisited as part of this piece of work.

We are interested in receiving tender submissions from Contractors with experience/expertise of conducting education research ideally within a higher education context, with a focus on funding and the student experience. This could include, but not be limited to, working closely with education providers, student representative bodies such as Students’ Unions or associations.

The Contract will be for a period of five months. We anticipate that the Contract will begin in November 2019 and that it will take approximately 25 days to complete the work. The final report will be expected at the end of February 2020.

NOTE: The authority is using eTenderwales to carry out this procurement process. To obtain further information record your interest on Sell2Wales at https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/search/search_switch.aspx?ID=95018

2.3

Notice Coding and Classification

2.4

Total quantity or scope of tender

3 Conditions for Participation

3.1

Minimum standards and qualification required

4 Administrative Information

4.1

Type of Procedure

Single stage

4.2

Reference number attributed to the notice by the contracting authority

T06HE/2019/20

4.3

Time Limits

4.5

Language or languages in which tenders or requests to participate can be drawn up

4.6

Tender Submission Postbox

5 Other Information

5.1

Additional Information

(WA Ref:95018)

The buyer considers that this contract is suitable for consortia bidding.

5.2

Additional Documentation

5.3

Publication date of this notice