Birmingham Virtual School Training Services Flexible Contracting Agreement (FCA)

{
  "buyer": {
    "id": "GB-PPON-PCJJ-4826-QMLZ",
    "name": "Birmingham City Council"
  },
  "date": "2025-09-08T12:39:29+01:00",
  "id": "054620-2025",
  "initiationType": "tender",
  "language": "en",
  "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-0595c0",
  "parties": [
    {
      "address": {
        "country": "GB",
        "countryName": "United Kingdom",
        "locality": "Birmingham",
        "postalCode": "B1 1BB",
        "region": "UKG31",
        "streetAddress": "Council House, 1 Victoria Square"
      },
      "contactPoint": {
        "email": "etendering@birmingham.gov.uk",
        "name": "Commercial and Procurement Services"
      },
      "details": {
        "classifications": [
          {
            "description": "Public authority - sub-central government",
            "id": "publicAuthoritySubCentralGovernment",
            "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE"
          }
        ],
        "url": "http://www.in-tendhost.co.uk/birminghamcc"
      },
      "id": "GB-PPON-PCJJ-4826-QMLZ",
      "identifier": {
        "id": "PCJJ-4826-QMLZ",
        "scheme": "GB-PPON"
      },
      "name": "Birmingham City Council",
      "roles": [
        "buyer"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "tag": [
    "tenderUpdate"
  ],
  "tender": {
    "aboveThreshold": true,
    "awardPeriod": {
      "endDate": "2025-11-16T23:59:59+00:00"
    },
    "description": "Birmingham City Council (the \"Council\") wishes to establish a Flexible Contracting Agreement (FCA) for Birmingham Virtual School (BVS) Training Services in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023, applying the provisions for Light Touch Contracts as defined in Section 9 of the Act and Schedule 1 of the Procurement Regulations 2024. These provisions apply to certain social, health, and education services that are subject to more flexible procurement rules due to their direct impact on individuals and communities.\nThe Training FCA will cover training for professionals in children\u0027s schools, social workers, families, carers, and other key stakeholders in Birmingham and any other local authorities where children may be placed.\nThe Training FCA will serve as the primary channel for delivering training tailored to the needs of adults responsible for supporting the educational achievement of children known to a social worker. The programme is designed to equip these individuals including BVS staff, carers, guardians, adoptive parents, designated teachers, school staff, governors, social workers, and Independent Reviewing Officers (IROs) with the essential knowledge and skills required to effectively promote the educational outcomes of children in care, previously looked after, or otherwise known to social services.\nThe contract(s) being procured have been split into Lots, as follows.\nLot 1: Training for staff at educational establishments and other professionals\nLot 2: Training for Social Care Professionals\nLot 3: Training for Parents, Carers and Family Members\nThe Council reserves the right to reopen the procurement and conduct additional tender processes during the term of the FCA.  This may be done to appoint new providers to the FCA where necessary to meet evolving service needs or ensure adequate market coverage.\nThe Training Services FCA will be for a period of 2 years with an option to extend for a further 2 years (on a 1+1 basis) subject to performance and budget.",
    "documents": [
      {
        "description": "Not published",
        "documentType": "conflictOfInterest",
        "id": "conflictOfInterest"
      },
      {
        "datePublished": "2025-09-08T12:39:29+01:00",
        "description": "Tender notice on Find a Tender",
        "documentType": "tenderNotice",
        "format": "text/html",
        "id": "054620-2025",
        "noticeType": "UK4",
        "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/054620-2025"
      }
    ],
    "enquiryPeriod": {
      "endDate": "2025-09-30T12:00:00+01:00"
    },
    "id": "P0886 ",
    "items": [
      {
        "additionalClassifications": [
          {
            "description": "Training services",
            "id": "80500000",
            "scheme": "CPV"
          },
          {
            "description": "Specialist training services",
            "id": "80510000",
            "scheme": "CPV"
          },
          {
            "description": "Training seminars",
            "id": "80522000",
            "scheme": "CPV"
          }
        ],
        "id": "1",
        "relatedLot": "1"
      },
      {
        "additionalClassifications": [
          {
            "description": "Training services",
            "id": "80500000",
            "scheme": "CPV"
          },
          {
            "description": "Specialist training services",
            "id": "80510000",
            "scheme": "CPV"
          },
          {
            "description": "Training seminars",
            "id": "80522000",
            "scheme": "CPV"
          }
        ],
        "id": "2",
        "relatedLot": "2"
      },
      {
        "additionalClassifications": [
          {
            "description": "Training services",
            "id": "80500000",
            "scheme": "CPV"
          },
          {
            "description": "Specialist training services",
            "id": "80510000",
            "scheme": "CPV"
          },
          {
            "description": "Training seminars",
            "id": "80522000",
            "scheme": "CPV"
          }
        ],
        "id": "3",
        "relatedLot": "3"
      }
    ],
    "legalBasis": {
      "id": "2023/54",
      "scheme": "UKPGA",
      "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents"
    },
    "lots": [
      {
        "awardCriteria": {
          "criteria": [
            {
              "description": "This will be based on 100% quality covering:\nService Delivery\nOrganisation and Resources\nTraining Approach \u0026 Methodology\nEvaluation and Impact",
              "name": "Simple description",
              "type": "price"
            }
          ],
          "weightingDescription": "This will be based on 100% quality covering:\nService Delivery\nOrganisation and Resources\nTraining Approach \u0026 Methodology\nEvaluation and Impact"
        },
        "contractPeriod": {
          "endDate": "2027-12-07T23:59:59+00:00",
          "maxExtentDate": "2029-12-08T23:59:59+00:00",
          "startDate": "2025-12-08T00:00:00+00:00"
        },
        "description": "To include a range of learning and development activities to meet the learning and development requirements of the staff at education establishments and other professionals. The learning and development activity provided must meet national and local standards, as well as any legislative requirements, and will be tailored to suit each key stage. \nCommissioned activity will include tailored face-to-face and virtual classroom-based courses in response to legislative change and bespoke learning activity to meet the identified needs of specific groups or teams. Examples include initial and refresher training for designated teachers, school improvement training and training to support staff to develop their skills and knowledge to support children know to social care improve educational attainment and actively participate in educational pathways.",
        "hasRenewal": true,
        "id": "1",
        "renewal": {
          "description": "With an option to extend for a further two 12 months extensions subject to satisfactory performance and funding availability."
        },
        "selectionCriteria": {
          "criteria": [
            {
              "description": "Details will be provided in the tender documentation.",
              "type": "economic"
            },
            {
              "description": "Details will be provided in the tender documentation.",
              "type": "technical"
            }
          ]
        },
        "status": "active",
        "suitability": {
          "sme": true,
          "vcse": true
        },
        "title": "Training for staff at educational establishments and other professionals",
        "value": {
          "amount": 200000,
          "amountGross": 240000,
          "currency": "GBP"
        }
      },
      {
        "awardCriteria": {
          "criteria": [
            {
              "description": "This will be based on 100% quality covering:\nService Delivery\nOrganisation and Resources\nTraining Approach \u0026 Methodology\nEvaluation and Impact",
              "name": "Simple description",
              "type": "price"
            }
          ],
          "weightingDescription": "This will be based on 100% quality covering:\nService Delivery\nOrganisation and Resources\nTraining Approach \u0026 Methodology\nEvaluation and Impact"
        },
        "contractPeriod": {
          "endDate": "2027-12-07T23:59:59+00:00",
          "maxExtentDate": "2029-12-08T23:59:59+00:00",
          "startDate": "2025-12-08T00:00:00+00:00"
        },
        "description": "To include a range of learning and development activities for the adult social care workforce of Birmingham.\u202f This includes providing learning opportunities to enhance the quality and effectiveness of Personal Education Plans (PEPs). The learning and development offered is required to meet national and local standards as well as any legislative requirements around social care practices.\u202f \nCommissioned activity will include tailored face-to-face and virtual classroom-based courses in response to legislative change and bespoke learning activity to meet the identified needs of specific groups or teams. Examples of the types of learning and development requested from social workers includes Practical use of the ePEP system and Personal Education Plans and Pupil Premium Plus training.",
        "hasRenewal": true,
        "id": "2",
        "renewal": {
          "description": "With an option to extend for a further two 12 months extensions subject to satisfactory performance and funding availability."
        },
        "selectionCriteria": {
          "criteria": [
            {
              "description": "Details will be provided in the tender documentation.",
              "type": "economic"
            },
            {
              "description": "Details will be provided in the tender documentation.",
              "type": "technical"
            }
          ]
        },
        "status": "active",
        "suitability": {
          "sme": true,
          "vcse": true
        },
        "title": "Training for social care professionals",
        "value": {
          "amount": 200000,
          "amountGross": 240000,
          "currency": "GBP"
        }
      },
      {
        "awardCriteria": {
          "criteria": [
            {
              "description": "This will be based on 100% quality covering:\nService Delivery\nOrganisation and Resources\nTraining Approach \u0026 Methodology\nEvaluation and Impact",
              "name": "Simple description",
              "type": "price"
            }
          ],
          "weightingDescription": "This will be based on 100% quality covering:\nService Delivery\nOrganisation and Resources\nTraining Approach \u0026 Methodology\nEvaluation and Impact"
        },
        "contractPeriod": {
          "endDate": "2027-12-07T23:59:59+00:00",
          "maxExtentDate": "2029-12-08T23:59:59+00:00",
          "startDate": "2025-12-08T00:00:00+00:00"
        },
        "description": "This will cover bespoke learning and development activities for parents, carers and family members. This includes providing learning opportunities to support them in helping children with learning at home and motivational techniques. The learning and development offered is required to meet national and local standards as well as any legislative requirements around social care practices.\u202f \nCommissioned activity will include tailored face-to-face and virtual classroom-based courses in response to legislative change and bespoke learning activity to meet the identified needs of specific groups or teams. Examples of the types of learning and development requested from carers includes attachment awareness and trauma informed practice, emotion coaching, education basics and homework and learning in everyday situations.",
        "hasRenewal": true,
        "id": "3",
        "renewal": {
          "description": "With an option to extend for a further two 12 months extensions subject to satisfactory performance and funding availability."
        },
        "selectionCriteria": {
          "criteria": [
            {
              "description": "Details will be provided in the tender documentation.",
              "type": "economic"
            },
            {
              "description": "Details will be provided in the tender documentation.",
              "type": "technical"
            }
          ]
        },
        "status": "active",
        "suitability": {
          "sme": true,
          "vcse": true
        },
        "title": "Training for parents, carers and family members",
        "value": {
          "amount": 200000,
          "amountGross": 240000,
          "currency": "GBP"
        }
      }
    ],
    "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
    "procedure": {
      "features": "Stage 1: Appointment to the Flexible Contracting Agreement (FCA)\nAll interested suppliers must complete and submit all the documents outlined in the Checklist including the main Response Document and other applicable response documents.\nSubmissions will be evaluated against published selection criteria.\nSuppliers who meet the criteria will be appointed to the FCA and will be eligible to participate in future call-offs or further competitions.\nStage 2: Call-Off Process \u2013 Direct Award and Further Competition\nDirect Award\nA Direct Award may be used where:\nA specific provider within the FCA has a unique capability or specialism that directly matches the training requirement.\nThe training need is urgent and time-sensitive and conducting a further competition would cause undue delay.\nThe value of the requirement is low and falls within thresholds that permit direct award under internal procurement guidance.\nThe provider has previously delivered the same or similar training with proven success, and continuity is essential.\nIn these cases, the contracting authority may award the contract directly to the most suitable FCA supplier, ensuring transparency and justification are documented.\nFurther Competition\nFurther Competition will apply where:\nMultiple FCA suppliers within the relevant lot are capable of delivering the required training.\nThe training requirement is complex, high-value, or bespoke, and benefits from competitive evaluation.\nThere is a need to assess value for money, innovation, or quality across multiple providers.\nAll FCA suppliers within the relevant lot will be invited to tender for the requirement. The competition will be conducted in line with the award criteria set out in the tender documents. \nOngoing opportunities\nThe Council reserves the right to reopen the procurement and conduct additional tender processes during the term of the FCA.\nThis may be done to appoint new providers to the FCA where necessary to meet evolving service needs or ensure adequate market coverage."
    },
    "procurementMethod": "open",
    "procurementMethodDetails": "Competitive flexible procedure",
    "specialRegime": [
      "lightTouch"
    ],
    "status": "active",
    "submissionMethodDetails": "This framework agreement is being issued using the Council\u0027s e-tendering system \u0027In-tend\u0027 and organisations must ensure that they are registered users. The procurement process will be managed using this system and therefore all bids must be submitted by Tenderers via the \u0027in-tend\u0027 system. https://in-tendhost.co.uk/birminghamcc \nRegistration and use of in-tend is free. All correspondence for this procurement process must be via the in-tend correspondence function and you should not contact any individual directly either by email or by telephone. If you are already a registered user, you do not have to re-register. If you are unable to register with in-tend or are experiencing difficulties, please email the etendering@birmingham.gov.uk. \nTender deadline submission is noon on 8th October 2025.",
    "submissionTerms": {
      "electronicSubmissionPolicy": "allowed",
      "languages": [
        "en"
      ]
    },
    "techniques": {
      "frameworkAgreement": {
        "description": "Appointment to the flexible contracting agreement is based on 100% quality.",
        "method": "withAndWithoutReopeningCompetition",
        "type": "closed"
      },
      "hasFrameworkAgreement": true
    },
    "tenderPeriod": {
      "endDate": "2025-10-08T12:00:00+01:00"
    },
    "title": "Birmingham Virtual School Training Services Flexible Contracting Agreement (FCA)",
    "value": {
      "amount": 600000,
      "amountGross": 720000,
      "currency": "GBP"
    }
  }
}