Published date: 21 February 2017

This notice was replaced on 2 November 2017

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

Awarded contract (published 2 November 2017)

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

  • Financial and insurance services - 66000000

  • Accounting, auditing and fiscal services - 79200000

  • Financial management consultancy services - 79412000

Location of contract

Any region

Value of contract

£0 to £97,000

Procurement reference

UK SBS PS16240 Islamic Finance Advice to support development of Alternative Student Finance

Published date

21 February 2017

Closing date

7 March 2017

Contract start date

10 April 2017

Contract end date

9 April 2019

Contract type

Service contract

Procedure type

Open procedure

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

Contract is suitable for SMEs?

Yes

Contract is suitable for VCSEs?

Yes

Description

**THE CLOSING DATE FOR THIS TENDER IS 07th MARCH 2017, PLEASE DO NOT APPLY DIRECT TO THE BUYER**

The Department for Education (DFE) is running an open tender for experts in Islamic Finance to support the design and delivery of Alternative Student Finance (ASF). DfE are responsible for ASF policy development and the legislation required to enable its provision. DfE will delegate the functions required to deliver ASF, as it does for the current student loans system.

There is a concern that the system outlined above could deter some prospective students who feel unable to use interest-bearing loans for religious reasons, particularly some Muslim students, from participation in higher and some further education.

To ensure participation and choice are open to all the Government is currently legislating, subject to Parliament, in order to be able to offer an alternative model of student finance.
The concept of alternative student finance was widely supported during public consultation in 2014 (https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/sharia-compliant-student-finance).

In May 2016 the Higher Education and Research Bill was introduced, and it is currently before Parliament. It seeks to amend the Teaching and Higher Education Act 1998 to provide the Secretary of State with the power, for the first time, to offer "alternative payments" alongside her existing powers to offer grants and loans.

There is significant work to be done on the design and implementation of the alternative student finance model in order to be able to launch it for students.

The consultants we are seeking will be required to provide verbal and written advice, recommendations and validation of output to ensure that ASF, based on the Takaful model, meets the criteria set out in this document and can be delivered in good time.

The consultant(s) will need to be able to:
• work with policy makers in DfE and operational delivery experts in partner organisations to find solutions to the challenges of delivering ASF
• provide oral and written advice and recommendations on design and delivery
• be available to troubleshoot when problems materialise and provide options for resolution where applicable
• travel to, attend and partake in workshops and meetings in London, Glasgow, Darlington and elsewhere , and participate in telephone conferences
• build support in the Muslim community and lead work to secure appropriate acceptance and approval
• provide verbal and written comments having reviewed proposed documentation (such as text on GOV.UK, letters regarding ASF, contract etc.)

More information

Attachments

Additional text

UK Shared Business Services eSourcing

As part of the strategic alliance between UK Shared Business Services Ltd (UK SBS) and Crown Commercial Service (CCS), UK SBS can use the CCS eSourcing Suite for future procurements. If you have not yet registered on the eSourcing Suite, this can be done online at https://gpsesourcing.cabinetoffice.gov.uk by following the link 'Register for CCS eSourcing'. Please note that, to register, you must have a valid DUNS number (as provided by Dun and Bradstreet) for the organisation which you are registering, who will be entering into a contract if invited to do so.

Once you have registered on the eSourcing Suite, a registered user can express an interest for a specific procurement. This is done by emailing expressionofinterest@crowncommercial.gov.uk Your email must clearly state: the name and reference for the procurement you wish to register for; the name of the registered Bidder; and the name and contact details for the registered individual sending the email. Crown Commercial Service will process the email and then enable the Bidder to access the procurement online via the e-Sourcing Suite. The registered user will receive a notification email to alert them once this has been done.

The Sourcing documents can then be accessed on the eSourcing Suite at: https://gpsesourcing.cabinetoffice.gov.uk using the instructions detailed in the Specification documents within Contracts Finder. As a user of the e-Sourcing Suite you will have access to Emptoris email messaging service which facilitates all messages sent to you and from you in relation to any specific RFX event. Please note it is your responsibility to access these emails on a regular basis to ensure you have sight of all relevant information.

For technical assistance on use of the e-Sourcing Suite please contact Crown Commercial Service Helpdesk : Telephone: 0345 010 3503 Training documents to support Bidders utilise Emptoris CCS eSourcing are available in the Contracts Finder Tender documents section.

About the buyer

Address

Polaris House
North Star Avenue
Swindon
SN2 1FF
England

Email

Professionalservices@uksbs.co.uk