Voluntary ex ante transparency notice
Directive 2014/24/EU
Section I: Contracting
entity
I.1) Name and addresses
Kent County Council
Sessions House, County Road
MAIDSTONE
ME141XQ
UK
Contact person: Sam Wright
Telephone: +44 3000419624
E-mail: sam.wright@kent.gov.uk
NUTS: UKJ4
Internet address(es)
Main address: www.kent.gov.uk
I.4) Type of the contracting authority
Regional or local authority
I.5) Main activity
General public services
Section II: Object
II.1) Scope of the procurement
II.1.1) Title
Improving Work Experience
Reference number: SC220277
II.1.2) Main CPV code
80310000
II.1.3) Type of contract
Services
II.1.4) Short description
Work Experience (WEX) declined dramatically over the Covid period and is still very limited. Young people are often ill prepared for work experience and do not fully benefit from the opportunities. All 4 of EBP's key departments; Careers, Projects, Events and Work Experience, partner consistently and on a large-scale with Kent employers. EBP have developed numerous sessions, projects and initiatives. Work produced by EBP Kent within the areas of Projects, Work Experience and Events are subject to an evaluative process that links the results to the Gatsby Benchmarks framework. This is to not only adhere to Ofsted requirements and the evidence each school must produce, but also for improvement, efficacy and evolution
II.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots:
No
II.1.7) Total value of the procurement
Value excluding VAT:
35 000.00
GBP
II.2) Description
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
80212000
80310000
80530000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKJ4
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
Due to the ongoing impact of the pandemic and the increased demand on services, the Kent Reconnect Programme has identified Provision for NEETs/refugees post-16 for 'at risk' young people as a priority. In order to support and develop their economic wellbeing so they do not go on to develop behaviours or mental health conditions which prevent them from engaging with education, work, family and friends and achieving their potential, the work was supported by KCC's Cabinet in their decision as an area to continue.
In December 2021 an opportunity to tender for an Improving WEX service was advertised, including a requirement for specific characteristics of bidders:
Due to the short time scales involved, bidders will need to be well embedded in the Kent education and employment landscape. It is also likely that any bidders will already be delivering work or have off the shelf programmes that could be adapted to support this project to allow for the quickest possible mobilisation.
Bidders should already have:
• Excellent relationships with Kent schools and careers support networks.
• Extensive employer networks to promote the project and generate work experience placements.
• Good knowledge of the local economic and employment landscape.
• An existing base in Kent.
• Staff in place to deliver the project.
There were just two responses to the tender opportunity. EBP Kent's response showed a full understanding of the elements required and included sufficient detail to score highly in evaluation and moderation.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Criteria below:
Price
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
No
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
Section IV: Procedure
IV.1) Description
IV.1.1) Type of procedure
Award of a contract without prior publication of a call for competition
Justification for selected award procedure:
The procurement falls outside the scope of application of the Directive
Explanation:
On the 21 July 2022, The Kent County Council Cabinet, approved a decision to extend the Reconnect Programme to 31 March 2023 for specific areas of need including NEET Provision. Commissioners would not be able engage in a procurement to complete a tender process for such a short-term contract.
Regulation 32(2)(c) of the Public Contract Regulations 2015 Negotiated Procedure without prior publication of a Contract Notice insofar as is strictly necessary where, for reasons of extreme urgency brought about by events unforeseeable by the contracting authority, the time limits for the open or restricted procedures or competitive procedures with negotiation cannot be complied with.
IV.1.8) Information about Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement:
Yes
Section V: Award of contract/concession
Contract No: SC220277
Title: Improving Work Experience
V.2 Award of contract/concession
V.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract/concession
29/09/2022
V.2.2) Information about tenders
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators:
No
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
EBP Kent
Kent Innovation Centre, Millennium Way
Broadstairs
CT9 2QQ
UK
NUTS: UKJ4
The contractor is an SME:
Yes
V.2.4) Information on value of the concession and main financing terms (excluding VAT)
Initial estimated total value of the contract/lot/concession: 35 000.00 GBP
Total value of the concession/lot:
35 000.00
GBP
V.2.5) Information about subcontracting
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.4) Procedures for review
VI.4.1) Review body
Kent County Council
Sessions House, County Road
Maidstone
ME14 1XQ
UK
Internet address(es)
URL: www.kent.gov.uk
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
03/10/2022