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PROCUREMENT OPPORTUNITY

Adult Skills and Skills Bootcamps

Cornwall Council · compiled

Tender information last checkedLast checked 29 Sept 2026, 20:25.

Opportunity overview

Cornwall Council (Council) is seeking to put in place a Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) to support the provision of Adult Skills and Skills Bootcamp training and commissioned activities that will support individuals to develop the skills needed for everyday life and work, including progressing towards, entering into and sustaining work and upskilling or retraining in order to advance or change their career. As the services in this procurement fall under Schedule 3 of the Public Contract Regulations 2015, this DPS will be governed by regulations 74 to 77 (the so-called Light Touch Regime), providing the Council with additional flexibility. Unlike a continuously open DPS, this DPS will operate through a series of defined windows that will open and close throughout the duration of the DPS. Further details on the additional flexibilities are detailed in the procurement documents and summarised in this notice. The DPS will be a completely electronic system and includes three Lots: • Lot 1 – Adult Skills • Lot 2 – Free Courses For Jobs • Lot 3 – Skills Bootcamps This notice invites any organisation (‘Applicant’) interested in joining the Council’s DPS during the initial window to submit a Request to Participate (‘RTP’) in stage 1 of the procurement no later than 12 noon 10th March 2025 ('RTP Return Date') . Those Applicants whose RTP meet the Council’s evaluation methodology will be eligible to the join the DPS as a Participant (‘Participant’). Stage 2 of the procurement the Council will use a Mini-Competition process to award Call-Off Contracts(s) to Participant(s) for Service requirements under one or more of the DPS Lots. The Council anticipate that the DPS will be chosen approach to award a Call-Off Contracts for the delivery of Adult Skills and Free Courses For Jobs funding commencing August 2025 (following devolution of the funding to Council in 2025). Subject to confirmation of funding by Department For Education the Council also intends to use this DPS to award Skills Bootcamps delivery in Cornwall from 2025/26, replacing services previously delivered in partnership with Devon County Council under the Train 4 Tomorrow initiative. The estimated values in this notice are given in good faith as a guide and are not an undertaking on behalf of the Council to purchase Services to this or any other particular value and shall not create a binding obligation.

Classification

  • CPV80000000 — Education and training services
  • CPV80400000 — Adult and other education services
  • CPV80500000 — Training services

Lots

  • Lot 1 - Adult Skills£5.1m
  • Lot 2 - Free Courses For Jobs£2m
  • Lot 3 - Skills Bootcamps£8.9m

Published notice details

Additional information from the published procurement release. Fields appear only when supplied by the source; check the original notice and tender documents before acting.

Scope, procedure and submissions

Id
DN753886
Status
active
Has Recurrence
No
Procurement Method
selective
Main Procurement Category
services
Procurement Method Details
Restricted procedure

Covered By

GPA

Amendments

Entry 1
Id
3

Unstructured Changes

Entry 1
Related Lot
1

Where

Label
Additional information
Section
II.2.14

New Value

Text
2) Where you are applying for: a) Lot 1 – Adult Skills and Lot 2 – Free Courses For Jobs. The Applicant must be registered with the Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services (Ofsted) with your most recent Ofsted rating of grade 3 – requires improvement or above. b) Lot 3 – Skills Bootcamps. While there are no minimum standards in relation to Ofsted, the Applicant acknowledges that all providers delivering Skills Bootcamps are now within scope for an Ofsted inspection.

Old Value

Text
2) Be either registered with the Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services (Ofsted) with your most recent Ofsted rating of grade 3 – requires improvement or above; or if you are a new training provider awaiting a monitoring visit from Ofsted. If this applies, please state your anticipated inspection date.
Entry 2
Related Lot
2

Where

Label
Additional information
Section
II.2.14

New Value

Text
2) Where you are applying for: a) Lot 1 – Adult Skills and Lot 2 – Free Courses For Jobs. The Applicant must be registered with the Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services (Ofsted) with your most recent Ofsted rating of grade 3 – requires improvement or above. b) Lot 3 – Skills Bootcamps. While there are no minimum standards in relation to Ofsted, the Applicant acknowledges that all providers delivering Skills Bootcamps are now within scope for an Ofsted inspection.

Old Value

Text
2) Be either registered with the Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services (Ofsted) with your most recent Ofsted rating of grade 3 – requires improvement or above; or if you are a new training provider awaiting a monitoring visit from Ofsted. If this applies, please state your anticipated inspection date.
Entry 3
Related Lot
3

Where

Label
Additional information
Section
II.2.14

New Value

Text
2) Where you are applying for: a) Lot 1 – Adult Skills and Lot 2 – Free Courses For Jobs. The Applicant must be registered with the Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services (Ofsted) with your most recent Ofsted rating of grade 3 – requires improvement or above. b) Lot 3 – Skills Bootcamps. While there are no minimum standards in relation to Ofsted, the Applicant acknowledges that all providers delivering Skills Bootcamps are now within scope for an Ofsted inspection.

Old Value

Text
2) Be either registered with the Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services (Ofsted) with your most recent Ofsted rating of grade 3 – requires improvement or above; or if you are a new training provider awaiting a monitoring visit from Ofsted. If this applies, please state your anticipated inspection date.

Legal basis

Id
32014L0025
Scheme
CELEX

Lot Details

Award Criteria Details
Lot 1 - Adult Skills, Lot 2 - Free Courses For Jobs and Lot 3 - Skills Bootcamps
Maximum Lots Bid Per Supplier
9,999,999

Techniques

Has Dynamic Purchasing System
Yes

Tender Period

Ends
10 Mar 2025, 12:00

Communication

Future Notice Date
31 Jan 2025, 00:00

Classification

Id
80000000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Education and training services

Submission terms

Languages

en

Submission Method

electronicSubmission

Other Requirements

Requires Staff Names And Qualifications
Yes

Lots and requirements

Entry 1
Id
1
Title
Lot 1 - Adult Skills
Status
active
Has Options
No
Has Renewal
No
Description
The principal purpose of the devolved ASF is to engage adults aged 19+ and provide them with the skills needed for entering and sustaining work, an apprenticeship/traineeship, or other further learning. It provides funding for programmes of learning up to Level 2 (GCSE level equivalent) and some Level 3 qualifications for individuals aged 19-23. It does not fund all Level 3 learning as this is delivered through Free Courses for Jobs or Advanced Learner Loans, or programmes at Level 4 and above which are also funded through Advanced Learner Loans or Higher Education (HE) funding. The devolved ASF encompasses a range of statutory entitlements for learners, including the right to fully funded provision for basic English and maths qualifications and, depending on the resident’s age and employment status, an entitlement to a first Level 2 and/or Level 3 qualification for individuals aged 19-23. The devolved ASF also includes non-formula Tailored Learning provision. The primary purpose of tailored learning is to support learners into employment and to progress to further learning, in line with the overall purpose of the ASF. It will, however, also support wider outcomes including using it to improve health and wellbeing, equip parents/carers to support their child’s learning and develop stronger and more integrated communities. Additional information: In order to join the Council DPS the Applicant must meet the following minimum standards: 1) Hold a valid UK Provider Reference Number (UKPRN) from the UK Register of Learning Providers. 2) Be either registered with the Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services (Ofsted) with your most recent Ofsted rating of grade 3 – requires improvement or above; or if you are a new training provider awaiting a monitoring visit from Ofsted. If this applies, please state your anticipated inspection date. 3) Have the ability to submit funding claims via the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) individual learner record (ILR). 4) Hold a cyber essential basics accreditation. 5) Hold policies and procedure (as set out in the procurement documents) that meet current legislative requirements, the Council’s Contract and Ofsted requirements.

Value

Amount
5,056,000
Currency
GBP

Contract period

Ends
23 Feb 2029, 23:59

Submission terms

Variant Policy
notAllowed
Entry 2
Id
2
Title
Lot 2 - Free Courses For Jobs
Status
active
Has Options
No
Has Renewal
No
Description
Funding in Lot 2 is available for Free Courses for Jobs provision to support adults to gain free fully funded Level 3 qualifications that are part of the national approved adult offer. The Free Courses for Jobs Level 3 Adult Offer is designed to help adults to gain the skills that are sought by employers. This will help them improve their job prospects and support economic recovery. This offer includes around 400 Level 3 qualifications in 20 different sector subject areas (SSA). Cornwall Council as part of its devolved freedom and flexibilities has added additional courses to this list. The Council in consultation with providers will monitor qualifications on the approved list to ensure that they meet the needs of the County's strategic priorities. Funding in this Lot should support adults aged 24+ to gain their first Level 3 qualification. Additional information: In order to join the Council DPS the Applicant must meet the following minimum standards: 1) Hold a valid UK Provider Reference Number (UKPRN) from the UK Register of Learning Providers. 2) Be either registered with the Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services (Ofsted) with your most recent Ofsted rating of grade 3 – requires improvement or above; or if you are a new training provider awaiting a monitoring visit from Ofsted. If this applies, please state your anticipated inspection date. 3) Have the ability to submit funding claims via the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) individual learner record (ILR). 4) Hold a cyber essential basics accreditation. 5) Hold policies and procedure (as set out in the procurement documents) that meet current legislative requirements, the Council’s Contract and Ofsted requirements.

Value

Amount
2,036,000
Currency
GBP

Contract period

Ends
23 Feb 2029, 23:59

Submission terms

Variant Policy
notAllowed
Entry 3
Id
3
Title
Lot 3 - Skills Bootcamps
Status
active
Has Options
No
Has Renewal
No
Description
Skills Bootcamps are intensive, Level 3-5 (and in certain cases Level 2) or equivalent flexible training courses up to 16 weeks, with a guaranteed job interview (in the case of a new job), which equip adults with technical skills that enable them to access in-demand jobs, apprenticeships, new opportunities, and an increased level of income over time (including for the self-employed). They are designed to support rapid training into higher-paid and sustainable job roles for sectors with evidenced vacancies, that align to the Department for Education (DfE) sector priorities; Digital, Technical, Green Skills, HGV, Construction, Early Years and Creative Industries and regional sector priorities (capped at 50% of the award total). Provision in this Lot should be open to Cornwall residents aged 19 or over who are full-time or part-time employed, self-employed, unemployed (i.e. not in work), as well as adults returning to work after a break. Applicants must ensure employer involvement in the design and delivery of their Skills Bootcamp provision. Applicants will be required to provide evidence of their work with employers. This could include involvement in the provision of behavioural skills support, work experience, coaching and mentoring, or the delivery of content. Additional information: In order to join the Council DPS the Applicant must meet the following minimum standards: 1) Hold a valid UK Provider Reference Number (UKPRN) from the UK Register of Learning Providers. 2) Be either registered with the Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services (Ofsted) with your most recent Ofsted rating of grade 3 – requires improvement or above; or if you are a new training provider awaiting a monitoring visit from Ofsted. If this applies, please state your anticipated inspection date. 3) Have the ability to submit funding claims via the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) individual learner record (ILR). 4) Hold a cyber essential basics accreditation. 5) Hold policies and procedure (as set out in the procurement documents) that meet current legislative requirements, the Council’s Contract and Ofsted requirements.

Value

Amount
8,850,000
Currency
GBP

Contract period

Ends
23 Feb 2029, 23:59

Submission terms

Variant Policy
notAllowed

Items and delivery

Item 1
Id
1
Related Lot
1

Delivery locations

Entry 1
Region
UKK3
Entry 2
Region
UKK4
Entry 3
Region
UKK3
Entry 4
Region
UKK4

Additional Classifications

Entry 1
Id
80400000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Adult and other education services
Entry 2
Id
80500000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Training services
Item 2
Id
2
Related Lot
2

Delivery locations

Entry 1
Region
UKK3
Entry 2
Region
UKK4
Entry 3
Region
UKK3
Entry 4
Region
UKK4

Additional Classifications

Entry 1
Id
80400000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Adult and other education services
Entry 2
Id
80500000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Training services
Item 3
Id
3
Related Lot
3

Delivery locations

Entry 1
Region
UKK3
Entry 2
Region
UKK4
Entry 3
Region
UKK3
Entry 4
Region
UKK4

Additional Classifications

Entry 1
Id
80400000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Adult and other education services
Entry 2
Id
80500000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Training services

Published documents

Entry 1
Id
economic2
Document Type
economicSelectionCriteria
Entry 2
Id
technical2
Document Type
technicalSelectionCriteria

Buyer, suppliers and contacts

Organisation 1
Id
GB-FTS-215
Name
Cornwall Council

Roles

buyer

Address

Region
UKK3
Locality
Truro
Postal Code
TR1 3AY
Country Name
United Kingdom
Street Address
County Hall, Treyew Road

Details

Classifications

Entry 1
Id
REGIONAL_AUTHORITY
Scheme
TED_CA_TYPE
Description
Regional or local authority
Entry 2
Id
01
Scheme
COFOG
Description
General public services

Identifier

Legal Name
Cornwall Council

Contact

Name
Mr John Ward
Organisation 2
Id
GB-FTS-62638
Name
Cornwall Council

Roles

reviewBody

Address

Locality
Truro
Postal Code
TR1 3AY
Country Name
United Kingdom
Street Address
Treyew Road

Identifier

Legal Name
Cornwall Council

Recorded locations

  • Buyer location · Truro · UKK3 · TR1 3AY · United Kingdom
  • Delivery location · UKK3
  • Delivery location · UKK4

Notice and amendment history

1 published notice version reviewed by ProcuraAxis.

1 VERSION
  1. ocds-h6vhtk-04c89b-2025-02-17T17:21:47Zcompiled ·