Education and training services

Tender description

The Research Councils (Medical Research Council, Arts and Humanities Research Council, Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, Natural Environment Research Council, Economic and Social Research Council and Science and Technology Facilities Council) and Innovate UK have a requirement for Learning and Development Services. The requirement is expected to be procured on an initial 2 year contract with the option to extend for a further period of up to 2 years. The annual expenditure is expected to be approximately 250 000 GBP (please note this figure is not guaranteed and subject to change depending on a number of factors including L&D delivery methods, organisational demand and organisational changes). Each year the Research Councils invest around 3 000 000 000 GBP in research covering the full spectrum of academic disciplines from the medical and biological sciences to astronomy, physics, chemistry and engineering, social sciences, economics, environmental sciences and the arts and humanities. This is done from a Hub in Swindon as well as Research sites and offices across the UK. The Research Councils support excellent research, as judged by peer review, which has an impact on the growth, prosperity and well-being of the UK. To maintain the UK's global research position, the Research Councils offer a diverse range of funding opportunities, foster international collaborations and provide access to the best facilities and infrastructure around the world. The Research Councils also support the training and career development of researchers and work with them to inspire young people and engage the wider public with research. To maximise the impact of research on economic growth and societal well-being the Research Councils work in partnership with other research funders including Innovate UK, the UK Higher Education Funding Councils, business, government, and charitable organisations as well as in some areas of research having their own research institutes. From April 2018 the current seven research councils, together with Research England and Innovate UK will form an exciting new organisation called UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and have an even bigger impact on the research landscape in the UK. What we are looking for: To support our staff within the councils and Innovate UK deliver this funding and our own research, we have offered a core catalogue of personal development training. This includes anything from Management training, both introductory and accredited, to communications training, health and well-being training, policy training, basic finance training and personal development skills training. We are now looking to update and revive this ‘core catalogue’ of training to both support our current staff now and also the staff in the new UKRI organisation. Up until now most of this training has taken place in a class-room type setting and has been face to face. We are interested to find out new and innovative ways of delivering a core catalogue of training covering all of the above, but in a new and exciting way to engage staff with it and encourage and allow our staff to get the development they want and need. This should ideally be a blend of online/virtual and face to face learning, making full use of 21st century technology. This PIN is to advise the market of the contracting authorities intentions. A market engagement event will be held on Thursday 15.6.2017 at Polaris House, Swindon, SN2 1FF from 13:00 to 15:00. This will provide an opportunity for potential providers to find out more about the aims of the procurement, the process and an give opportunity to network. UKSBS and representatives from the Research Councils will use the opportunity to gather intelligence and market information from potential providers. Providers wishing to attend should RSVP by Wednesday 7.6.2017 stating the name, title, email and phone numbers for those who wish to attend — please note there is a restriction of up to 2 attendees per organisation. This information should be sent to the following email address: Joanne.Hughes@uksbs.co.uk Please ensure that the subject heading for the email is as follows: PS17056 Market Engagement Event It is anticipated that the tender documentation will be released in July and the contract awarded by September 2017.