PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION SERVI CES SCHEME

Descriptions

CONTRACT NOTICE - NON OJEUFRAMEWORK AGREEMENT FOR THE PROVISION OF PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION SERVICESThe Welsh Government, on behalf of the Welsh Ministers, hereafter referred to as the Client intends to procure a framework agreement for the provision of education consultancy and specialist advisory services, (hereafter referred to as the Framework). The Framework will last for a period of four years and will provide the means for sourcing the Client’s education related consultancy support services and expertise. The Framework will not be used for the commissioning of research or evaluation in relation to Welsh Government programmes; this will be done via separate procurement exercises.The Framework will be an umbrella agreement setting out the terms and conditions for subsequent call-offs, but which places no obligations, in itself, on the Client to purchase any services. The Framework is therefore not a contract; contracts are only formed when services are called off under the Framework. Future requirements will be subject to individual mini-competitions under the Framework. Schedules of delivery requirements, payment terms, etc, will be agreed at the call off stage and will form a legally binding contract with the Client. Successful bidders, who form part of the Framework agreement, will be called upon, as and when a specific need arises, to provide educational and consultative support for the improvement of education and curriculum programmes within the Department for Education and Skills, education consortia, local authorities and across and within schools. The work will vary accordingly with the requirements of the specific projects. The ability to deliver the objectives of the project and affect a positive result in all cases is key to any project. Approved bidders will be required to effectively project manage and successfully deliver the work allocated on a call off contract.The Framework will commence on 1 April 2012 and last for a term of four years until 31 March 2016. Individual contracts let under it and that commence within the Framework term may be for periods of shorter duration, or may need to be completed within an additional period deemed reasonable after the Framework end date. Once established, no further organisations will be accepted onto the Framework. The Framework Lots are intended to support and achieve the current DfES strategic priorities, and address and improve Accountability, Teaching, Learning, and Collaboration. Contracts let under the Framework may be across all Lots or sub-Lots, or cover a specific Lot or associated categories. It is anticipated that approximately 15 potential suppliers per Lot will be invited to tender, from which three to eight suppliers will subsequently be approved to be within Lot 1 and Lot 3 on the Framework. It is expected that Lot 2 will have an increased proportion of specialist suppliers in order to cover the range of national curriculum subjects in Wales. The Framework agreement will include three Lots.* Lot 1 – Education theory and practice Implementing education policy and practice Lot 1 is to procure services that can provide theoretical input and advice to support the development and implementation of education policy and practice through specific projects and work yet to be determined in relation to education. While it is open to all it is anticipated that the consultancy services for Lot 1 will be provided by university institutions, academics or other suitably qualified organisations or bodies that are able to provide the appropriate professional expertise required. * Lot 2- Practitioner ExpertiseDeveloping teaching and learning Lot 2 is to procure the services of specialist consultancy services that can provide and demonstrate leading practice and proven expertise in specific projects and work yet to be determined in relation to education. While it is open to all it is anticipated that the consultancy services will be provided by curriculum subject experts and teaching practitioners or others that are appropriately qualified, and with similar expertise, that are able to provide the appropriate professional support required. * Lot 3 – Strategic management expertiseStrategic management in educationLot 3 is to procure strategic and management expertise in relation to education and the delivery and implementation of work resulting in improved learner outcomes in specific projects and work yet to be determined, in relation to education.The Lots will cover a number of complementary categories that are intended to achieve and support the following:* Providing professional advice and expertise on system leadership, educational management and wide scale education reform* Supporting improvements to schools and other learning providers facing challenging circumstances* Enhancing the effective use of data to raise standards* Developing positive intervention strategies at a school/learning provider and local authority level* Developing performance management and education accountability frameworks* Raising professional teaching standards* Developing and supporting improved provider/school and teacher effectiveness* Developing and implementing high quality teaching and learning strategies* Developing and embedding effective professional learning communities (PLCs)* Supporting and contributing to teacher training and continuing professional development for all learner ages, including leadership training* Developing school and provider leadership and management, including effective self evaluation* Development and the delivery of Welsh-medium and Welsh language education* Improving literacy and numeracy skill levels* Raising quality standards in education* Supporting curriculum subject development, guidance, delivery and assessment* Professional development and assessment of national qualifications* Improving learning and pupil attainment* Improving behaviour and attendance* Supporting strategies designed to reduce the impact of poverty on educational attainment* Enabling under achieving and under represented groups* Improving learning opportunities for children with ALN/SEN* Enhancing support for learners with additional learning needs* Providing training and support to expand opportunities for more able, gifted and talented pupils* Driving up collaboration between local authorities, schools, governors, colleges, other learning providers, regional education consortia, Welsh Government and other key partners* Contributing and supporting the further development of community focused schools* Undertaking analysis and benchmarking to establish best practice in the delivery of education and lifelong learning* Advising on the refocusing of essential services to include careers services, services supporting those NEET; FE in HE, the provision of apprenticeships* Supporting aspects of our operations that support critical reviews* Contributing to developing financial delivery systems such as the NPFSAcceptance onto the Framework does not guarantee that an organisation will be awarded any contracts let under the Framework agreement. It is important to note that contracts are on a call off basis, with no guarantee to the amount of work offered. Selection will be made based on the particular needs of the Welsh Government at the time and the particular expertise of the specialist adviser as evidenced in their response to the specified requirement. Language selection: Responses to this notice from interested suppliers will be accepted in ENGLISH; or ENGLISH AND WELSH.Links to sources of information Useful Welsh Government strategy and policy documents may be found at the following web links. • Teaching Makes a Difference (includes 20 Point Action Plan)http://wales.gov.uk/topics/educationandskills/allsectorpolicies/ourevents/teachingmakesadifference/?lang=en• Raising School Standardshttp://wales.gov.uk/topics/educationandskills/allsectorpolicies/ourevents/raisingschoolstandards/?lang=en&skip=1• School Effectiveness Frameworkhttp://www.sefcymru.org• Transforming Education and Training Provision in Waleshttp://wales.gov.uk/topics/educationandskills/learningproviders/transformation/?lang=en• Quality and Effectiveness Framework for post 16 Learning in Waleshttp://wales.gov.uk/topics/educationandskills/learningproviders/raisingqualityandstandards/?lang=enThe Welsh Assembly Government, on behalf of the Welsh Ministers, will be conducting this procurement exercise through the etenderwales portal https://etenderwales.bravosolution.co.uk. Tender documents and other information must be downloaded from and returned through this portal. If you require any further assistance the BravoSolution helpdesk is available on:Email: help@bravosolution.co.uk Phone: 0800 3684850 / Fax: 020 7060 0480Full information in accessing the portal is found in Section VI.3 of this notice.