Level 4 & Level 5 Chartered Institute of Housing Qualifications Providers Light Touch Framework

Descriptions

Aster Group is a housing association which provides safe, well-maintained, affordable homes to thousands of people across the south of England and London. Our vision is that everyone has a home.  Our not-for-dividend business was established in 1990 and has £2.5 billion worth of social housing assets. We reinvest our profits from open market sale and shared ownership to support the development of affordable homes. We own and maintain nearly 38,000 homes and employ over 2,000 people. For more information, visit www.aster.co.uk.

We're committed to playing our part in tackling the housing shortage by delivering a wide range of housing options. During 2024/25 the business delivered 984 homes offering affordable and social rent, shared ownership and open market sale options and we're set to provide circa 980 new homes during 2025/26. Looking ahead, the Group plans to invest £1.6 billion to achieve our long-term target to deliver 7,000 homes over the next seven years. We're relentless in our mission to extend a positive impact into our communities.

We are conducting a Preliminary Market Engagement (PME) to inform the procurement for the delivery of Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) Level 4 and Level 5 housing management qualifications. This is not a formal tender, but an opportunity for Providers to provide non-binding budgetary estimates and insights to help shape our tender approach.

The purpose of the engagement is to:

• Test market capacity and capability

• Inform the final specification and delivery model

• Understand viable delivery approaches and timescales

• Support a fair, transparent and proportionate procurement process

Aster Group intends to establish a Light Touch Framework Agreement with suitably qualified Providers for the provision of Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) Level 4 and Level 5 Housing Management Qualifications to support the development of Senior and Executive Leaders within a Social Housing context.

The proposed requirement will include:

*CIH Level 4 Certificate for Senior Housing Mangers

*CIH Level 5 Diploma for Senior Housing Executives

The procurement is expected to include flexible Delivery Models which may comprise:

*Online with virtual tutor led sessions

*On-line

*Open and closed cohorts

The successful provider(s) will be required to demonstrate the capacity to enrol learners and commence delivery by 08 June 2026.

Engagement

This Preliminary Market Engagement Notice (PIN) is issued to inform the market of a potential upcoming procurement for the delivery of Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) Level 4 and Level 5 housing management qualifications. The purpose of this engagement is to: • Inform the scope and structure of the procurement • Explore suitable commercial and delivery models • Identify potential risks and opportunities • Test market capacity, capability, and interest • Inform the final specification and delivery model • Understand viable delivery approaches and timescales • Support a fair, transparent and proportionate procurement process This is not a call for competition and does not constitute a formal procurement process. Interested Providers are invited to participate by completing a Preliminary Market Engagement Questionnaire. The questionnaire seeks feedback on service capabilities, delivery models, commercial preferences, and suggestions for procurement/framework design. Please follow this link to express your interest and access the related documents: https://in-tendhost.co.uk/aster/aspx/ProjectManage/630 Responses will be used to shape the procurement strategy and documentation. Subject to the outcome of this engagement, the Aster may proceed with a formal procurement process. Providers who do not participate in this engagement will not be excluded from future opportunities. It is mandatory for any interested suppliers to register on the new CENTRAL DIGITAL PLATFORM which is part of the enhanced Find a Tender Service.