Published date: 22 July 2020

This notice was replaced on 3 August 2020

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

Awarded contract (published 19 March 2021)

Closed future opportunity - This means that a potential contract has passed its approach to market date. A buyer can choose to consider any supplier interest or convert this notice into an opportunity ready for live procurement.


Contract summary

Industry

  • Research and development services and related consultancy services - 73000000

Location of contract

United Kingdom

Value of contract

£200,000

Procurement reference

DFERPPU 20-21/012

Published date

22 July 2020

Approach to market date

3 August 2020

Contract start date

1 October 2020

Contract end date

31 December 2021

Procedure type

Open procedure (below threshold)

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

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

Contract is suitable for SMEs?

Yes

Contract is suitable for VCSEs?

Yes

Description

This Prior Information Notice (PIN) notifies the market of a forthcoming procurement process relating to the national evaluation of the Opportunity Areas programme. The Department will invite potential bidders to respond to an Expression of Interest -likely to be posted on the 3 August 2020 for interested providers to submit their responses.

In October 2016 the then Secretary of State announced a new social mobility package(see link in links section). At the heart of this strategy is the Opportunity Areas programme, a targeted three-year, £72 million support programme aimed at improving the life chances of young people in 12 local areas which typically face entrenched and widespread social, economic and cultural challenges. The first six Opportunity Areas(see link in links section) announced in October 2016 were Oldham, North Yorkshire Coast , Derby, Norwich, West Somerset and Blackpool. In January 2017, a further six Opportunity Areas were announced: Stoke-on-Trent, Doncaster, Ipswich, Fenland and East Cambridgeshire, Hastings and Bradford. Nine of the 12 OAs are located in urban areas while three are located in rural areas. Of the 12, four OAs are located in coastal regions. An £18 million extension to the Opportunity Area programme was announced in November 2019. Year 4 of the Opportunity Areas programme(see link in links section) will focus on supporting young people following the Covid Pandemic. It will also build on previous years learnings whereby each of the 12 areas will 'twin' with places facing similar challenges to help unleash the potential among young people in other parts of the country.

To understand the delivery process of this programme at a national level and what lessons can be learnt from taking a place-based approach, DfE is seeking providers to lead the delivery of a qualitative process evaluation.

For more information please follow the links provided in the Links section of this listing.

More information

Spend profile

This table displays the spend profile of the notice
Financial year Budget
2020/2021 £100,000
2021/2022 £100,000

Links

Additional text

The purpose of this Prior Information Notice (PIN) is to notify the market of the forthcoming procurement process relating to the national evaluation of the Opportunity Areas programme. We are seeking a provider to deliver a place-based process qualitative evaluation.

These findings will complement the other research strands. These include:
1. Quantitative impact analysis -Examining effects on educational and related outcomes conducted in house by DfE analysts
2. Cost benefit analysis - Looking at the financial, economic and social dimensions of the OA programme conducted in house by DfE analysts
3. Intervention Level Evaluations (ILEs) - five externally commissioned evaluations providing an in-depth look at specific programmes within the OA's which are novel, scalable and of key interest to DfE. This is in progress with a final report due March 2021.
4. Process place-based qualitative evaluation - examining the delivery and process of a place-based approach. This is the element this PIN notice relates to.
We envision the process evaluation to evaluate years 1-4 of the programme. It should also explore how the Covid-19 pandemic has influenced and impacted on delivery. Any research design should allow for research/ data collection to be conducted in all 12 OAs -although the level of depth in understanding may differ across areas.

Research should aim to engage beneficiaries of the programme, to explore their experiences, as well as delivery staff/partners to gain a good understanding of delivery in different contexts.

email addresses for contact:
Andrew.Zacharia@education.gov.uk
Katharine.Beaney@education.gov.uk

About the buyer

Contact name

DEPARTMENT FOR EDUCATION

Address

Sanctuary Buildings
Great Smith Street
London
SW1P 3BT
England

Email

Andrew.Zacharia@education.gov.uk