Education and training services

Tender description

UKRI requires a supplier to provide an outward bound residential-based learning programme to develop core skills of apprentices and graduates, including but not limited to team working, leadership and communication. The emphasis of this course is on practising and developing skills using activities and exercises through experiential learning in a non-work environment using both wet (i.e. swimming pool or sea) and dry (land based) facilities, enabling participants to safely be taken out of their comfort zones or try activities they may not have had the chance to before. UK SBS is managing this procurement process in accordance with the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (as may be amended from time to time) (the ‘Regulations’). UKRI-STFC employs 2 000 specialist technical, scientific and engineering staff across 5 sites in the UK. Our employees range from those in their early careers (graduates, students and apprentices) to more experienced managers and leaders. The UKRI-STFC Corporate Strategy demands an agile and sustainable workforce with the necessary knowledge, behaviours and skills to lead UKRI-STFC into the future. Graduates and apprentices are part of the early careers skills strategy and a key part of the UKRI-STFC careers pipeline. As part of the development of our apprentices and graduates, each year the latest intake from all sites are invited to attend an outward bound residential based learning programme to develop core skills, including but not limited to team working, leadership and communication. 4 days are planned away from the normal workplace to provide a personal development programme for: • apprentices to spend time exploring the behavioural elements of the apprenticeship standards; and • graduates to provide a leadership and personal development programme linked to CRISTAL competencies (communication, responsibility, integrity, solution focus, teamwork, awareness and leadership). The residential courses are aligned to UKRI values and the overall aims of each course are to: • provide real and practical opportunities to practice team and/or leadership skills in a safe environment; • help develop an understanding of the behaviours required within UKRI-STFC whilst emphasising the link to the apprenticeship standards and graduate programme; • regularly review the learning process in order to continually improve personal performance; • develop interpersonal skills. The emphasis of this course is on practising and developing skills using activities and exercises through experiential learning in a non-work environment using both wet (i.e. swimming pool or sea) and dry (land based) facilities; enabling participants to safely be taken out of their comfort zones or try activities they may not have had the chance to before. There will be approximately 60 graduates (plus 3-4 UKRI-STFC staff) attending the programme in October each year (2020-2021) and approximately 45 apprentices (plus 3-4 UKRI-STFC staff) attending the programme in August each year (2020-2021). The contract duration shall be for a period of 2 years, from May 2020 to April 2022 with an optional extension of 2 years until April 2024 (2 + 2). The total overall opportunity value of this requirement is estimated to be GBP 300 000.00 excluding VAT including all optional elements and the 2 year extension period. Yearly estimated breakdown of costs as follows: GBP 60 000 ex VAT per year for the core residential-based learning programme, plus GBP 15 000 ex VAT per year for the optional additional training days if required. For full details of the requirement please refer to the request for proposal documentation available to download from the Delta eSourcing Portal. All submissions will be assessed in accordance with the Public Contracts Regulations 2015, for procurement values that exceed Regulation 5 (Threshold amounts). The contracting authority expressly reserves the right: (i) not to award any contract as a result of the procurement process commenced by publication of this notice; and (ii) to make whatever changes it may see fit to the content and structure of the procurement and in no circumstances will the contracting authority be liable for any costs incurred by any supplier.