RM6145

We ran this competition using the 'open procedure.The procurement was conducted under the Light Touch Regime ('LTR') therefore was subject to limited regulation and conducted in accordance with regulations 74 to 76 PCR 2015. Crown Commercial Service (CCS) sought to establish a Framework Contract to support delivery of learning and development.on behalf of the Minister for the Cabinet Office. The Framework Agreement is available for use by UK public sector bodies as described in the customer list. The framework consists of the following lots: Lot 3 - Combined Lot 1 and Lot 2 Lot 6 - Combined Lot 4 and Lot 5 Suppliers will be required to provide the deliverables (goods and services) set out in the Specification.

Additional information: Notice of modifications to CCS' Learning and Development Framework (RM6145) procured pursuant to Contract Notice 2020/S 127-312150 ("the Framework"):

• (i)The estimated values of the two lots under the Framework have been increased

as follows:

 Lot 3 has increased from £170,000,000.00 to £255,000,000.00 (ex VAT)

 Lot 6 has increased from £145,000,000.00 to £217,500,000.00 (ex VAT):

and

• (ii)The Framework term has been extended by 3 months and the Framework will now expire on 16 July 2024.

No other modifications will be made to the Framework.

CCS' view is that the modifications above were permitted pursuant to Regulation 72(1)(b) of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (PCR).

Regulation 72(1)(b) provides that a modification is permitted in the following case:

for additional works, services or supplies by the original contractor that have become necessary and were not included in the initial procurement, where a change of contractor-

(i)cannot be made for economic or technical reasons such as requirements of interchangeability or interoperability with existing equipment, services or installations procured under the initial procurement, and

(ii)would cause significant inconvenience or substantial duplication of costs for the contracting authority, provided that any increase in price does not exceed 50% of the value of the original

contract.

In the alternative, the extension to the Framework term by 3 months is non-substantial and therefore is permitted pursuant to Regulation 72(1)(e).

As set out above, these are permitted modifications under the PCR, but, in the event that either of the modifications are deemed not to be a permitted modification under the PCR, then this notice should be treated as providing the requisite notice of a contract award.