Framework for the Provision of Community Learning

For Avoidance of doubt this is a Prior Indicative Notice .

Staffordshire County Council wishes to engage a group of suppliers to deliver a wide range of Community Learning services throughout the eight districts of Staffordshire. A contract for this provision currently exists and is due to expire on 31.7.2019. Funding for the Community Learning provision is sourced from a contract awarded to Staffordshire County Council from the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA).

The Community Learning Service currently works with schools, colleges, third sector organisations, independent training providers and local community groups to secure and deliver a range of learning opportunities for adults and families across Staffordshire.

Staffordshire County Council wishes to procure its sub-contracted provision through an open and competitive tendering process in order to source high quality responsive and innovative community learning provision. The County Council is subject to accountability and scrutiny of the ESFA and Ofsted. All sub-contracted provision must comply with ESFA and County Council regulations and related statutory requirements.

This Procurement is for a Framework Agreement between the appointed Sub-Contractor(s) and Staffordshire County Council, to supply Services on an annual call-off basis. This Framework will be for a four year period from 1.8.2019 to 31.7.2023, on an annual call-off basis. In the event the Agreement is extended the extension shall be on the same Terms and Conditions of Contract as the original Agreement period and will ultimately be at the County Council's sole discretion. The County Council makes no guarantee as to the volume of business on offer and any funding values given are indicative only and intended as a general guide. These will be subject to annual allocations made to the County Council by the ESFA.

Community Learning (CL) will have a value range over 4 years of 5 000 000 GBP subject to ESFA funding allocations.

Framework will comprise of 7 lots.

Lot 1.Leisure, Health & Well-being

Lot 2.Supported Learning

Lot 3.Family Learning

Lot 4.Employability

Lot 5.Digital

Lot 6.STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and mathematics)

Lot 7.Progression Pathways (accredited provision)

A briefing event for this procurement will be held on Tuesday 5th February 2019, 11.30 am- 1.00pm at Staffordshire Place 1, Staffordshire County Council, Tipping Street Stafford, ST16 2DH.

If you wish to attend this event please confirm your interest by emailing: acl@staffordshire.gov.uk

It is anticipated that tender documents will be available approx 20 February 2019 via our e-portal https://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/business/procurement/tendering/etendering/home.aspx The guide to the portal is on the link and will always be the most up to date version.