Published date: 15 December 2020

This notice was replaced on 14 May 2021

This notice does not contain the most up-to-date information about this procurement. The most recent notice is:

Awarded contract (published 14 May 2021)

Closed opportunity - This means that the contract is currently closed. The buying department may be considering suppliers that have already applied, or no suitable offers were made.


Contract summary

Industry

  • Social work and related services - 85300000

Location of contract

North East, North West, Yorkshire and the Humber, East Midlands, West Midlands, East of England, London, South East, South West

Value of contract

£9,000,000

Procurement reference

tender_253771/911766

Published date

15 December 2020

Closing date

22 January 2021

Closing time

12am

Contract start date

1 April 2021

Contract end date

31 March 2022

Contract type

Service contract

Procedure type

Open procedure (above threshold)

Any interested supplier may submit a tender in response to an opportunity notice.

This procedure can be used for procurements above the relevant contract value threshold.

Contract is suitable for SMEs?

Yes

Contract is suitable for VCSEs?

Yes

Description

The Department for Education (DfE) is seeking a contractor(s) to deliver the key aspects of NAAS. They will need to deliver future NAAS assessment activity and continue to develop digital solutions for the programme delivery.
The appointed organisation will need to create a clear plan to ensure the continuation of the assessment delivery while ensuring a smooth transition from the current contract. A range of programme elements will need to be delivered, which include but may not be limited to:
1. Assessment centre delivery nationally in England;
2. Recruitment and training of assessors and actors as part of assessment centre activity ;
3. Planning and undertaking a series of pilots for the potential online assessment delivery, identifying most suitable pilot areas in collaboration with DfE
4. Maintaining and improving current systems for communication and feedback of results to employers and individuals including a database for securely storing results;
5. Managing and improving the current learning management system for dealing with retakes, concerns, queries and appeals processes.
6. Managing engagement and strengthening relationships with NAAS Site Leads in Local Authorities/ Trusts.

More information

Links

Additional text

NAAS is an accreditation and assessment process available to child and family social workers in England only. Developed through a proof of concept and two roll out phases. The contractor will be expected to support the 69 local authorities currently engaged in the programme. The department is looking for a tenderer to work with the separately contracted content development partner to ensure the assessment is reflective of up-to-date practice and requirements of the Children and Families Social Worker workforce. We require expertise in the co-ordination, booking and delivery of all assessment activity, including venue arrangement and identification and training of assessors and actors to undertake the assessment sessions. The successful tenderer will be expected to administer pre-arranged assessment sessions in April and May 20221, and fully deliver all assessment session activity from June onwards. The contractor will have experience of developing and delivering increased assessment activity via the designated virtual platform to maximise digital use and efficiencies. The successful tenderer will be required to improve this model in terms of efficiency, value for money and impact.

This contract is for 1 year with the option to extend for 12 months

About the buyer

Address

Sanctuary Buildings
London
SW1P 3BT
England

Email

dfe.NAAS@education.gov.uk