DfE Dynamic Purchasing System for Skills Bootcamps

What is a Dynamic Purchasing System? A dynamic purchasing system (DPS) is a procurement tool that allows suppliers who qualify onto it to subsequently compete for contracts through further competitions. A DPS is a two-stage process. Stage One In the initial set up stage, all suppliers who meet selection criteria and are not excluded will be qualified onto the DPS. During the application process, suppliers can apply to join specific categories within the DPS. Categories reflect at a high-level the type of requirement the supplier can provide (e.g. the Skills Bootcamps DPS may have categories of service requirements which include sector subject areas such as ‘digital’). Suppliers can apply to join multiple categories within the DPS to reflect their service offering. Unlike framework agreements, suppliers can apply to join the DPS during its lifetime. Stage Two Individual contracts are awarded during the second stage. In this stage, the contracting authority (DfE) invites all suppliers on the DPS (or the relevant category within the DPS) to bid for a specific contract or contracts (this is the call-off competition stage). The purpose of a DPS is to streamline procurement for both suppliers and the contracting authority; suppliers do not have to demonstrate suitability and capability every time they wish to compete for a DfE Skills Bootcamp contract, and the award of individual call-off contracts can be quicker than under some other procurement procedures. How DfE will engage with the market? DfE is planning to hold two separate virtual market engagement events. Event 1 – 27th April 2022 This first event invites any suppliers whose service offering potentially matches DfE’s requirements for Skills Bootcamps to achieve the following outcomes: 1. To explain what DfE is considering to bring to market 2. To outline DfE’s initial approach to DPS categories and how the call-off mechanism will work including the use of potential filters. 3. Invite suppliers’ feedback on the approach. How to join the Event 1 Virtual Call Suppliers are invited to attend a virtual market engagement event on 27th April 2022 from 11AM-12PM. This event will consist of two separate activities: 1. A virtual market engagement event 2. A follow-up Supplier Questionnaire To book your attendance (max. two per organisation), please use this link to register via Microsoft Teams: https://teams.microsoft.com/registration/yXfS-grGoU2187O4s0qC-Q,Q2MeLE7NpEyk_tFCMOltVA,Vh11K2U3G0WaOWXIphN0bQ,IPdyeG3oOkavMEJShOIwdw,SM4MM95ROE2U1ua7IEiVOA,C64VOQm3s02BjoW3TKt1vw?mode=read&tenantId=fad277c9-c60a-4da1-b5f3-b3b8b34a82f9 Following Event 1, suppliers are invited to complete a questionnaire. This questionnaire will offer the opportunity to ask any further questions on the Skills Bootcamps DPS. All subsequent questions and answers will be circulated to attendees and may be used in further market engagement activities. Event 2 – 25th May 2022 DfE intend to present the following topics at Event 2: 1. Approach to evaluation (both SQ & ITT) 2. Payment mechanism 3. Performance measures 4. Qualification onto the DPS 5. Categories & filters 6. Update on call-off competition timelines How to join the Event 2 Virtual Call Suppliers are invited to attend a virtual market engagement event on 25th May 2022 from 11AM-12:30PM. To book your attendance (max. two per organisation), please use this link to register via Microsoft Teams: https://teams.microsoft.com/registration/yXfS-grGoU2187O4s0qC-Q,Q2MeLE7NpEyk_tFCMOltVA,Vh11K2U3G0WaOWXIphN0bQ,kqLh_PBlxkmqkpd2zY-FvA,P74icpgza0W4ColO34WBpg,M7LMPd_npEG7ZI8_8TP56Q?mode=read&tenantId=fad277c9-c60a-4da1-b5f3-b3b8b34a82f9 The events will be delivered via Microsoft Teams and recordings will be made available for those unable to attend. Further information will be published in July 2022 to inform suppliers of pre-launch information which will assist with the understanding of the DPS and qualification process. Additional information: This is an indicative value of the DfE Dynamic Purchasing System for Skills Bootcamps. The Department for Education (DfE) is not guaranteeing or committing to any specific value. The publication of this notice does not signify the commencement of any procurement process and does not constitute any commitment by DfE to undertake any procurement exercise.