Published date: 13 April 2016

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.


Closing: 19 May 2016

Contract summary

Industry

  • Education and training services - 80000000

Location of contract

Any region

Value of contract

£7,000,000 to £12,100,000

Procurement reference

1324

Published date

13 April 2016

Closing date

19 May 2016

Contract start date

1 August 2016

Contract end date

29 March 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

Background:

The Department for Education is inviting bids for the management and delivery of the network of school based science CPD providers.
The Government is committed to make Britain the best country in the world for developing STEM skills in primary, secondary and further education so Britain can grow scientifically and technologically.

High quality teaching is critical to achieving this. Evidence tells us that good teaching fosters engagement, raises attainment, improves confidence and drives participation post-16. Whilst the evidence of the impact of teacher subject knowledge on the quality of teaching is mixed, there is evidence that teachers teaching out of subject specialism lack confidence, are less likely to teach in an engaging and practical way and struggle to foster enthusiasm and engagement. The confidence and ability of teachers and the lack of training and development are also factors that affect teacher retention.

Description of service

To manage and co-ordinate delivery of a national network of school based science CPD providers to improve the standard of science teaching by providing high quality science CPD to teachers and technicians in state-funded primary and secondary schools across England. The work of the school based science CPD providers will also incorporate targeted support to schools to improve the take-up of GCSE triple science.

Responsibilities of the provider will include setting targets for each school based science CPD provider for the number of schools they work with to deliver CPD and other support and the impact they have on teaching and pupil attainment. Our expectation is that a high proportion of the funding for this contract is devolved directly to the school based science CPD providers. We would also expect the programme to develop towards a more self- sustaining, school-led model.

Important aims of the support provided to schools by the school based science CPD providers are to improve teachers' subject knowledge and pedagogy; support teachers to deliver the reformed science National Curriculum, GCSEs and A levels; and support schools to overcome barriers to offering GCSE triple science in order to increase the number of schools offering this option and the number of pupils studying it.

Estimated value:

The Department is inviting bids for a three year contract up to a maximum value of £2.45m in 2016-17, £3.7m in 2017-18 and £3.7m in 2018-19 (please note these figures will include any VAT that may be applicable).
In addition to the core bid we would also welcome options to expand the programme of support to triple science, over the period of the contract, for a maximum value of £750,000 per year.

Length of contract:

2 years 8 months - 1st August 2016 to 31st March 2019.
There will be an option to extend for a further 2 years (2019 to 2021) subject to ministerial agreement and budget availability.

More information

Attachments

Additional text

Download the invitation to tender letter from the 'Attachments' section.

Deadline for receipt of completed ITT: 19 May 2016 (3pm)

Timetable
Activity description Date:
Advert published 13 April 2016
Supplier event 20 April 2016
Last day for submission of queries (5pm) 5 May 2016
Last day for DfE to respond to queries 13 May 2016
Last day for submission of bids (3pm) 19 May 2016
Tender evaluation 19 May - 31 May
Supplier clarification meetings (if required) 8 June 2016
Department announce preferred bidder 16 June 2016
Contract negotiations with preferred bidder 27 June - 31 July 2016
Contract start date 1 August 2016

We plan to hold a bidders' event on 20 April 2016 (from 10.30am to 12.30pm) for organisations interested in submitting a proposal for this work. The event will allow you to ask any questions regarding the ITT and for us to offer further clarity on the approaches we expect to see to achieve the required outcomes. We strongly encourage you to attend if you think you are likely to submit a bid for this work. To register your interest in attending, please email stephen.stanton@education.gsi.gov.uk
with details of your organisation and the name and contact details of the attendee (there is a limit of one person per organisation). This event will be held at:

The Conference Centre
Church House
Deans Yard
Westminster, London, SW1P 3NZ

We will make available the powerpoint presentation and any questions and answers that were provided at this event to those who were not able to attend but who would still like to consider tendering for this contract. Documents from the event along with any subsequent questions and answers will be published in this advert.

About the buyer

Contact name

Stephen Stanton

Address

Curriculum and Standards Division, 2nd Floor, Sanctuary Buildings, Gt Smith Street
London
SW1P 3BT
England

Email

stephen.stanton@education.gsi.gov.uk