Specialist training services

Tender description

The DE&S Finance Higher Apprenticeship (Level 4) Scheme (FHAS) exists to train apprentices over an eighteen month programme involving the attainment of qualifications typical of CIMA (Chartered Institute of Management Accounting) certificate in Business Accounting. It includes training, assessment and practical accounting experience in a working environment assisting experienced accountants operating within MOD Project / Delivery Teams and Operating Centres. The on the job training is predominantly based at MoD Abbey Wood, Bristol. For 2017 the intention is to recruit up to 15 apprentices and to be based at DE&S HQ Abbey Wood. The Apprentices shall be fixed term employees of the MOD, DE&S. A contractor is required to provide a service to deliver academic and vocational training (see below for specific qualifications), to support and contribute toward the management of Apprentices throughout their 18 months of training. DE&S Finance Higher Apprenticeship (Level 4) Scheme (FHAS) exists to train apprentices over an 18 month programme involving the attainment of qualifications typical of CIMA (Chartered Institute of Management Accounting) certificate in Business Accounting. It includes training, assessment & practical accounting experience in a work environment assisting experienced accountants operating within MOD Delivery Teams & Operating Centres. The on the job training is predominantly based at MoD Abbey Wood, Bristol. For 2017 the intention is to recruit up to 15 apprentices to be based at DE&S HQ Abbey Wood. The Apprentices shall be fixed term employees of the MOD. A contractor is required to deliver academic & vocational training (see below for specific qualifications), to support & contribute to the management of Apprentices throughout their 18 months training. Key services will include the contractor's expert verification & moderation of apprentices training efforts & achievements. This includes formally verifying individual Apprentice learning logs, conducting assessments, monitoring progress & providing guidance. The Training Programme broadly follows the new Accounting Framework for CIMA certificate Framework Level 4 FR03797 & each roughly equating to one year covering, but not limited to the basic qualifications as follows: Phase 1 — 4 weeks basic introduction to Accounting & the remaining 17 months to complete CIMA certificate level 4 Diploma in Business Accounting technical knowledge whilst also completing a Diploma in Business & Accounting practice. Frameworks may be replaced by a new Trailblazer Standard from April 2017 up to 2020. The contractor will work with the Authority to adopt the new standards as & when available. The Authority is currently working with the relevant trailblazer group to confirm exact requirements & obtain approval for a new standard to replace existing frameworks, if applicable. Training & tuition for the above qualifications must take place within a 5 mile radius of MOD Abbey Wood, whether in temp or permanent facilities. CIMA certificate assessments will be conducted primarily at Abbey Wood. The contractor will deal with all administration for the drawdown of any Government subsidies such as Skills Funding Agency (SFA) funding. And/or Work with the Authority in transfer to any new funding/student loan arrangements that may be imposed by future gov't regulation or legislation. The Contract duration is expected to be from July 2017 until March 2019 (dates approximate). The Contract budget is stated in the CN. Bidders should be aware that the following criteria will be used in evaluation. Any government subsidies, such as SFA funding, will be utilised by the contractor as a means of covering his costs. For this reason, the Authority must evaluate the bids on the basis of 100 % technical, where pricing is determined by SFA banding & cannot be used in evaluation. However the Authority still requires confirmation from bidders that they share our understanding of how this is applied. The competition is being conducted under the PCR 2015Open Procedure. Bidders must respond directly to this Invitation to Tender as published on contracts finder website. There will be no further release of any ITT. Tenderers must note that this CN is the single source of information & they must complete the online SAQ with this CN, download the published ITT schedules from contracts finder and complete and submit postal tenders through the MOD Abbey Wood Tender Board by the due date/time. All required information is given in this documentation. The criteria include: location, focus on development, provision of suitable academic & vocational training, familiarity in changes/updates in AAT and academic curricula, flexibility, staff /apprentice ratio, SFA registration and overall value for money. Bidders outside the Bristol area should describe how they would deliver the services at the locations given.