Published date: 22 April 2021

This notice was replaced on 20 July 2021

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

Opportunity (published 20 July 2021)

Closed early engagement


Contract summary

Industry

  • Administration services - 75100000

  • Administrative educational services - 75121000

  • Government services - 75131000

Location of contract

Any region

Procurement reference

tender_269847/955273

Published date

22 April 2021

Closing date

28 April 2021

Contract is suitable for SMEs?

Yes

Contract is suitable for VCSEs?

Yes


Description

The Department for Education previously issued a Prior Information Notice (PIN) informing the market that it is considering its strategy for the longer-term delivery of the Turing Scheme administration services.

That notice was issued on the Find a Tender Service (Publication reference: 2021/S 000-006906) and Contracts Finder (Publication reference: tender_269847/950297).

Purpose

This PIN is for the purpose of initiating the direct engagement with the market with regards to the Turing Scheme as referred to in the previous PIN. The Department will engage with the market, initially, by way of an introductory webinar on 28 April 2021, followed by 1-2-1 engagements with interested market suppliers. Information about how to take part in this webinar and the 1-2-1 engagement sessions is provided below.

This PIN is for market engagement only. It does not signify the commencement of any procurement process and does not constitute any commitment by the Department for Education. If the Department for Education decides to commence any procurement process(es) as contemplated by this notice, a separate notice(s) will be published at the relevant time.

Turing Scheme

On the 24 December 2020, the UK Government announced the introduction of the Turing Scheme, a new programme to support students to study and undertake work placements across the world. The Turing Scheme has funding of £110 million for the first year, to enable around 35,000 students in UK universities, colleges and schools to travel on placements and exchanges overseas, starting from September 2021. The Turing Scheme is particularly focused on students from disadvantaged backgrounds, making life-changing opportunities accessible to students across the United Kingdom.

The Department for Education (DfE) is responsible for the delivery of the Turing Scheme. Following the initial announcement in December, on the 6 February 2021 the Turing Scheme website launched, and on the 12 March 2021, the application window for funding for universities, schools and colleges was opened.

Further information about the Turing Scheme can be found here: turing-scheme.org.uk

Following the launch of the Turing Scheme and the opening of the application process, the Department is now considering its strategy for the longer-term delivery of the Turing Scheme administration services. The new service is likely to be required from the beginning of 2022.

How to engage

The Department for Education is holding an introductory market engagement webinar via Microsoft Teams at 12.30 on 28 April 2021 which will run for approximately 45 minutes.

To participate in this opportunity and register your organisation's interest in attending the webinar, please register for an account and view the "current opportunities" page at Jaggaer https://education.app.jaggaer.com and search for: "Project_5470 Turing Scheme Administration Services".

Please refer to the attached document for full details of this opportunity.


More information

Attachments

Links

Additional text

Once you have located Project_5470, please confirm your interest by selecting "Express Interest" to receive full access to the opportunity. All relevant documentation will be made available in the Data Room and this can be accessed via the "Buyer Attachments" section, under "ITT Details".

Please note, you must answer the question within the "My Response" section and submit your response to ensure registration at the webinar. You can then use the messaging function to provide attendee details.

The Department for Education will hold 1-2-1 engagement sessions with market suppliers on the 5, 6 and 7 May 2021. The sessions will be held virtually via Microsoft Teams and will run for up to 1hr each. There will be a maximum of 12 engagement sessions available over the three days and therefore allocation of these sessions will be on a first come first served basis and will be limited to 1 session per supplier organisation.

Once your organisation has expressed interest, you will be invited to provide details of your attendee list for the webinar and 1-2-1 engagement sessions, via the messaging function within Project_5470. A meeting invitation will then be issued.

All suppliers who have expressed an interest in this opportunity, including those who are unable to attend the webinar or 1-2-1 engagement sessions, will have access to relevant information, supporting notes and a supplier questionnaire which will be made available via the Data Room within Project_5470 Turing Scheme Administration Services at https://education.app.jaggaer.com.

Suppliers should note that the webinar and 1-2-1 engagement session will also feature engagement on Erasmus+ Residual and Immigration Visa Sponsorship Administration Services, which have been notified to the market via a separate Prior Information Notice


About the buyer

Contact name

Amy

Address

20 Greatsmith Street
London
SW1P 3BT
England

Email

amy.chan@education.gov.uk