- Features
- The Home Office will conduct this procurement using the Competitive Flexible Procedure in accordance with section 20 of the Procurement Act 2023.
The procedure is structured in defined stages to enable proportionate assessment, down‑selection, and competition, while retaining flexibility to ensure value for money and adequate thematic coverage.
Stage 1 – Participation Stage (Procurement Specific Questionnaire – PSQ)
All interested suppliers may submit a Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ). This stage will assess eligibility and conditions of participation, including mandatory and discretionary exclusion grounds, economic and financial standing, technical and professional ability, security and compliance requirements, and acceptance of the authority’s terms and conditions.
PSQ assessment will include:
- mandatory pass/fail requirements;
- non‑scored mandatory disclosures; and
- scored technical case study questions.
Suppliers will be ranked by lot based on PSQ assessment. For each lot, the Authority intends to shortlist up to the following maximum numbers to proceed to the ITT stage:
- Lot 1 (Advisory): up to 70 suppliers
- Lot 2 (Training): up to 70 suppliers
- Lot 3 (Turnkey): up to 15 suppliers
Where fewer compliant submissions are received, all compliant suppliers may be invited to the ITT stage. The Authority reserves the right to increase shortlist numbers where necessary to ensure sufficient competition or thematic coverage.
Stage 2 – Invitation to Tender (ITT)
Suppliers shortlisted from the PSQ stage will be invited to submit tenders. ITT submissions will be evaluated using the Most Advantageous Tender (MAT) approach, combining quality and price in accordance with the published weightings.
The ITT evaluation will include:
- a compliance and pass/fail qualification envelope;
- scored technical questions aligned to the Statement of Requirements; and
- a scored pricing submission using a prescribed pricing template.
Suppliers will be ranked by lot based on combined technical and commercial scores, subject to moderation.
Optional Interview Stage
Following ITT evaluation, the Authority may, at its discretion, invite shortlisted suppliers to participate in an interview stage. Interviews will be used to validate and clarify written submissions, test delivery capability, and provide additional assurance where scores are closely ranked or further verification is required.
Interview questions will be drawn from the published ITT evaluation criteria and no new award criteria will be introduced. Interview outcomes may result in score adjustments within the published scoring scale, with reasons recorded to ensure transparency and auditability.
Down‑selection and Contract Award
Following ITT evaluation (and any interview stage), suppliers will be ranked by lot. The Authority intends to appoint up to the following maximum numbers to the framework:
- Lot 1 (Advisory): up to 60 suppliers
- Lot 2 (Training): up to 60 suppliers
- Lot 3 (Turnkey): up to 10 suppliers
For Lot 1 (Advisory), Bidders are required to demonstrate capability in at least one relevant thematic area in order to qualify for the Lot at PSQ stage.
For Lot 2 (Training), Bidders are required to demonstrate capability in at least one relevant thematic area in order to qualify for the Lot at PSQ stage.
For Lot 3 (Turnkey), Bidders are required to demonstrate capability across at least four thematic areas, including Operational Support, in order to qualify for the Lot at PSQ stage.
Where fewer compliant tenders are received, all suppliers meeting the minimum requirements may be appointed. The Authority reserves the right to increase these numbers where necessary to ensure adequate thematic coverage.
Clarification, refinement and flexibility
At any stage of the procedure, the Authority may seek clarifications, verify information, and refine or finalise requirements, evaluation methodology, or award criteria, provided this is done transparently and in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023. Clarifications will not permit material changes to tenders.
All stages will be conducted in line with the principles of transparency, equal treatment, and proportionality. The Authority reserves the right to amend, add, remove, or combine stages where lawful and appropriate, with any such changes communicated to all affected suppliers.
Access to all procurement documents is subject to acceptance of the Authority’s Non‑Disclosure Agreement (NDA).
Some procurement documents are classified OFFICIAL‑SENSITIVE and will be clearly identified as such. These documents must be handled in accordance with UK Government information security requirements and must not be disclosed except as permitted under the NDA or required by law.
Any failure to comply with the NDA or the handling requirements for OFFICIAL‑SENSITIVE information may result in exclusion from the procurement.