Training services

Tender description

The principal requirement is the provision of a 2-year part-time Masters course in Health and Social Care Policy. The ability to offer a postgraduate Diploma to participants of the course who are unable to commit to completing a Masters dissertation would be desirable, but not essential. It is envisaged that there will be 3 cohorts of participants, with the possibility of 2 further contract extensions, each for one further cohort. The first cohort will commence their studies in autumn 2019. The third cohort are expected to complete their studies in autumn 2023. Most participants will be policy staff employed by the Department of Health and Social Care, but participants employed by the department’s arms length bodies may also join the course under this contract. The minimum size of each cohort will be 15 participants. At this stage, it is envisaged that the maximum cohort size will be 30 participants, but this could rise to 40 participants. The Authority is seeking to engage the services of a University (i.e. a body recognised by the UK authorities as capable of awarding a UK degree) to provide a 2-year part-time Masters course in Health and Social Care policy. The ability to offer a postgraduate Diploma to participants of the course who are unable to commit to completing a Masters dissertation would be desirable, but not essential. It is envisaged that there will be three cohorts of participants, with the possibility of 2 further contract extensions, each for one further cohort. Most participants will be policy staff employed by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), but participants employed by the department’s arm’s length bodies may also join the course under this contract. The minimum size of each cohort will be 15 participants. At this stage, it is envisaged that the maximum cohort size will be 30 participants, but this number could rise to 40 participants. The procurement will be run under PCR 2015, open procedure. This procurement is currently at the pre-tender stage, the purpose of which is to engage service providers giving all an opportunity to: 1) Get a clear understanding of what business outcomes DHSC requires and ask questions regarding the proposed scope of work; 2) Meet representatives of DHSC; 3) Give views on how to structure the requirement so that it maximises market interest, innovation and value for money. The contract is expected to commence on the 1.10.2019 and expire on the 30.9.2023 (NB: The 3rd cohort would start their studies autumn 2021 and finish autumn 2023), with the option to extend annually for a further 2 years based upon service providers performance. This notice is for Information only and the Department reserves the right to not proceed to tender additionally the Department reserves the right to discontinue the proposed tendering process and not to award the contract. We are inviting interested parties to attend an open day to learn more about the scope of the contract, and to discuss their ideas on an informal basis. We are keen to support innovative ideas around how this programme can be successfully delivered. There will also be the opportunity to have one-to one discussions with the team following the presentation. The open day will be held on either the 28th or 29.1.2019 at a central London location (TBC). More Information about this event will be sent to interested suppliers via our Bravo System. Please register and express your interest to get further information.