T830 Make Happen Quasi-DPS

Make Happen is a collaborative project which is funded and monitored by Office for Students (OfS), with the funding held at the University of Essex, as the lead institution. Make Happen is the working name of the current Uni Connect Partnership, formerly known as the National Collaborative Outreach Programme partnership for Essex,

As it stands, the Uni Connect Programme brings together 29 partnerships of universities, colleges and other local partners to deliver outreach programmes to young people in years 9 to 13 and to adult learners who are aged 19 and above. Their work is focused on local areas where higher education participation is lower than might be expected given the GCSE results of the young people who live there. There may also be opportunities to deliver activity to students in year 7 and 8 through the Outreach Hub. However, the Office for Students may decide to further expand the targeted groups, within all the sub categories, during the life of the Quasi-DPS.

Make Happen is looking for educational providers/suppliers who can support us with meeting the government's aims.

Phase three of Uni Connect aims to:

• Contribute to reducing the gap in higher education participation between the most and least represented groups.
• Equip young and adult learners from underrepresented groups to make an informed choice about their options in relation to the full range of routes into and through higher education and to minimise the barriers they may face when choosing the option that will unlock their potential.
• Support a strategic local infrastructure of universities, colleges and other partners that can cut through competitive barriers, offer an efficient and low-burden route for schools and colleges to engage, and address outreach 'cold spots' for underrepresented groups.
• Contribute to a stronger evidence base around 'what works' in higher education outreach and strengthen evaluation practice across the sector.

We are looking to find suppliers to deliver schools and/or FEI activity which support the goals above. The activity could focus on whole year groups, focused group activity or one to one activity.

The Quasi-DPS has been extended for a further 12 months and is due to expiry on the 30/07/2022. The Quasi-DPS has the option to extend for a further 2 x 12months (in 12 months increments), subject to confirmation of funding by the Office for Students. The decision to extend the Agreement with is at the sole discretion of the University.

If you are interested please register on our e-Sourcing portal Proactis (https://supplierlive.proactisp2p.com/Account/Login) to get access to the procurement documents.

When you log into Proactis please carry out the following steps;

1. Click on the Opportunities tab
2. Search for the University of Essex
3. Look for the following title: T830 Make Happen Quasi-DPS
4. Then click on 'Register an interest' icon

Additional information: Due to a contracts finder technical issue please ignore the contract start and end dates as they are not relevant.