Official UK procurement notice
PA23 - UK4 - Tender Notice · Southern Water Services Limited (Jan 2026)
Authority: Southern Water Services Limited (Public body)
What is being bought9 lots · detail below
Published requirement descriptionSW is tendering an existing framework under PA23 rules, and has removed apprenticeships that have ceased to exist and are no longer business relevant, and started offering new apprenticeship standards that add value to the business and continue to offer the programmes that have had largest uptake of apprentice enrolments within SWS.
1.Purpose and Objectives
The objective of the tender is to select Framework Partners who are capable of delivering Apprenticeship standards recognized by Skills England, divided into Lots as listed in this scope document and Schedule 1 of the Framework.
To establish a compliant high-quality framework agreement for the delivery of Apprenticeship training funded via the Apprenticeship Growth and Skills levy. The framework will support workforce development across multiple departments and align with SW business needs and outputs of strategic workforce planning.
2.Scope of services
To achieve business objectives, SWS is looking to develop a multi-supplier, multi-lot framework. The aim of the Framework is to secure future provision and enable access to wide range of recognized apprenticeship programmes and standards.
SWS reserves the right to amend the scope by adding or removing apprenticeship standards during the term of the agreement in case of any scope coverage gaps, or to keep the standards up to date and aligned with apprenticeship standards governed by Skills England.
Delivery of Apprenticeship standards from Level 2 to Level 7
Coverage across job categories including:
- Business & Administration
- Construction in a built Environment
- Creative and design
- Digital
- Engineering and manufacturing
- Environmental,
- Legal Finance & Accounting
- Health & Science
- Marketing & Procurement
The Framework has been divided into 9 Lots.
Please note that Lot 9 is for delivery of the above services in the ISle of Wight only as indicated within the tender pack
- How the procedure runs: Stage 1 PQQ All interested suppliers are invited to submit a response to Pre-Qualification Questionnaire. The Tenderer will be required to accept the Terms and Conditions in the Framework Agreement. Tenderers should note that SWS reserves the right to reject a tender submission if the terms and conditions of contract are not agreed between SWS and the Tenderer within a reasonable period. Such period to be determined at the sole discretion of SWS. SWS additionally reserves the right to not award the Framework to any Tenderer. Stage 2 ITT Only shortlisted tenderers will receive an Invitation To Tender Shortlisted tenderes will be invited to respond to ITT technical questions, will be required to attend a presentation (where applicable), and as well as to provide a commercial response as part of their tender submission, in alignment with the costing structure provided in the e-sourcing portal. Commercial envelope evaluation comprises an initial submission in alignment with the costing structure provided in the e-sourcing platform. Potential Tenderers please note that whilst every effort has been made to ensure that full documentation is provided with the Tender Notice, SWS reserves the right under Section 31 of PA23 to make modifications to the terms of a covered procurement, relating to: • Conditions of participation • Award criteria • Requirements of the competitive tendering procedure Provided that the modifications are in accordance with the provisions of PA23. SWS will ensure that following any such modifications, it will: - Revise any applicable timescales (where required) as a result of such modification, and - notify the participating suppliers of such changes, where a participation period applies.
CPV: Vocational training services
How this framework works
From the published notice- Type
- Closed framework
- Call-offs
- call-offs may be awarded directly or by further competition
- Places
- up to 5 suppliers
- Framework period
- 3 yrs · up to 6 yrs from 19 May 2026
- Supplier levy on call-offs (max %)
- Funding via the Apprenticeship Growth & Skills levy
Published description of the framework
This procurement process will be run in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023 (“PA23”) under Light Touch Regime using the Competitive Flexible Procedure. The Light Touch Regime, applicable to this Apprenticeships Framework, affords a little more procedural flexibility. The procedure designed by SWS, and detailed in the IITT document, will apply the core principles of the Act, including transparency, fairness, and equal treatment for potential bidders and aims to ensure value for money and to support open competition, while allowing flexibility to meet the specific needs of apprenticeship delivery.
The total price for each apprenticeship will be based on the applicable funding band set by the Skills & Growth Levy. This price includes all on-programme training and End-Point Assessment and must not exceed the funding band maximum.
Additional information on each individual Apprenticeship standard can be found here: skillsengland.education.gov.uk/apprenticeships/ ↗
Stage 2 Invitation to Tender:
All Tenderers are required to pass all the questions within the SWS PQQ, which shall be issued using the esourcing tool, Bravo. Following successful progression through the PQQ stage, at the discretion of SWS, prospective tenderers shortlisted as set out in Section 4 of this IITT, will be invited to provide a proposal to the ITT.
Tenderers invited to tender, who submit qualifying proposals before the closing time, will be checked for compliance and any non-compliant tenders may be rejected without further evaluation.
ITT Envelope Weightings (Evaluation Criteria): Technical 80%, Commercial 20%
Based on the answers and evidence provided, each Tenderers’ response will be scored in accordance with the scoring guidelines.The score offered by the evaluation team will allow a Tenderer to achieve a score of between 0 and 100% of the weighting.
All ITT proposals will be evaluated independently by an internal evaluation panel*. The evaluation panel may hold a moderation meeting to agree final technical scores. Following moderation of the technical score, a combined score including technical (“T”) and commercial (“C”), will be used to select the preferred Tenderer(s) with whom SWS intend to enter into the Framework Agreement.
*Except in circumstances where specialist areas may need to be evaluated by a single subject matter expert and will therefore not be subject to a consensus moderation.
Lots and requirements (9)Procurement structure
9 lots · all with a published value · same conditions of participation on every lot · same evaluation weights on every lotEvery one of these 6 lots carries the same published figure, £3,600,000: it is the framework's maximum for the whole notice, not each lot's own budget, and no share per lot is published. The cards below say ceiling above rather than repeat it.
Lot #1Business AdministrationRenewalceiling above
Associate Project Manager Level 4, Business administrator Level 3, Career development professional Level 6, Chartered manager (degree) Level 6, Coaching professional Level 5, Corporate responsibility and sustainability practitioner Level 4, Data Practitioner and information governance practitioner Level 4, Governance officer Level 4, HR support Level 3, Improvement leader Level 6, Improvement practitioner Level 4, Improvement specialist Level 5, Improvement technician Level 3, Information manager Level 4, Learning and development consultant business partner - Level 5, Learning and development practitioner Level 3, Operations manager Level 5, People professional Level 5, Policy officer Level 4, Project Manager (integrated degree) level 6, Quality practitioner Level 4, Recruiter Level 3, Regulatory compliance officer Level 4, Senior leader Level 7, Senior people professional Level 7, Sustainability business specialist (integrated degree) Level 7, Systems thinking practitioner Level7, Team Leader Level 3.
- Economic & financial standing
As per Pre Qualification Questionnaire questions
- Technical & professional ability
The objective of this tender is to select a range of Suppliers for each Lot who are capable of providing Apprenticeships standards recognised by Skills England via the Growth and Skills Levy, as set out in the Lot categories listed in the tender pack and in this notice. In responding to this tender, suppliers are confirming they are able to undertake the full suite or part of the services, for the relevant Lot, set out in the Framework Agreement which includes associated schedules.
Lot #2DigitalRenewalceiling above
Applications support lead Level 4, AI data specialist Level 7, Business Analyst Level 4, Creative digital design professional (integrated degree) Level 6, Cyber security technical professional (integrated degree) Level 6, Cyber security technician Level 3, Cyber security technologist Level 4, Data analyst Level 4, Data Engineer Level 5, Data scientist (integrated degree) Level 6, Data technician Level 3, DevOps Engineer Level 4, Digital accessibility specialist Level 4, Digital and technology solutions professional Level 6, Digital and technology solutions specialist (integrated degree) Level 7, Digital device repair technician Level 3, Digital learning designer Level 5, Digital product manager Level 4, Digital support technician Level 3, Digital user experience (ux) professional (integrated degree) Level 6, Information communications technician Level 3, IT solutions technician Level 3, Software developer Level 4, Software development technician Level 3, Software tester Level 4, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Automation practitioner
- Economic & financial standing
As per Pre Qualification Questionnaire questions
- Technical & professional ability
The objective of this tender is to select a range of Suppliers for each Lot who are capable of providing Apprenticeships standards recognised by Skills England via the Growth and Skills Levy, as set out in the Lot categories listed in the tender pack and in this notice. In responding to this tender, suppliers are confirming they are able to undertake the full suite or part of the services, for the relevant Lot, set out in the Framework Agreement which includes associated schedules.
Lot #3Legal, Finance & AccountingRenewalceiling above
Accountancy or taxation professional, Level 7, Accounting finance manager, Level 6, Accounts or finance assistant, Level 2, Advanced credit controller and debt collection specialist, Level 3, Assistant accountant, Level 3, Chartered legal executive, Level 6, Chartered legal executive litigator and advocate, Level 7, Compliance and risk officer, Level 3, Credit controller and collector, Level 2, Internal audit practitioner, Level 4, internal audit professional, Level 7, Paralegal, Level 3, Payroll assistant manager, Level 5, Senior compliance and risk specialist, Level 6, Senior compliance and risk specialist, Level 6, Solicitor, Level 7.
- Economic & financial standing
As per Pre Qualification Questionnaire questions
- Technical & professional ability
The objective of this tender is to select a range of Suppliers for each Lot who are capable of providing Apprenticeships standards recognised by Skills England via the Growth and Skills Levy, as set out in the Lot categories listed in the tender pack and in this notice. In responding to this tender, suppliers are confirming they are able to undertake the full suite or part of the services, for the relevant Lot, set out in the Framework Agreement which includes associated schedules.
Lot #4Marketing & ProcurementRenewalceiling above
Bid and proposal co-ordinator, Level 3, Customer service practitioner, Level 2, Customer service specialist, Level 3, Procurement and supply assistant, Level 3, Procurement and supply chain practitioner, Level 4, Public relations and communications assistant, Level 4, Senior procurement and supply chain professional, Level 6.
- Economic & financial standing
As per Pre Qualification Questionnaire questions
- Technical & professional ability
The objective of this tender is to select a range of Suppliers for each Lot who are capable of providing Apprenticeships standards recognised by Skills England via the Growth and Skills Levy, as set out in the Lot categories listed in the tender pack and in this notice. In responding to this tender, suppliers are confirming they are able to undertake the full suite or part of the services, for the relevant Lot, set out in the Framework Agreement which includes associated schedules.
Lot #5Construction in a built EnvironmentRenewalceiling above
Chartered Surveyor (degree), Level 6, Civil Engineer (degree), Level 6, Civil engineering senior technician, Level 4, Civil engineering site management (degree), Level 6, Civil engineering technician, Level 3, Construction quantity surveyor (degree), Level 6, Design and construction management(degree), Level 6, Facilities management supervisor, Level 3, Facilities manager, Level 4, Facilities services operative, Level 2, Installation and maintenance electrician, Level 3, Senior and head of facilities management, (integrated degree), Level 6.
- Economic & financial standing
As per Pre Qualification Questionnaire questions
- Technical & professional ability
The objective of this tender is to select a range of Suppliers for each Lot who are capable of providing Apprenticeships standards recognised by Skills England via the Growth and Skills Levy, as set out in the Lot categories listed in the tender pack and in this notice. In responding to this tender, suppliers are confirming they are able to undertake the full suite or part of the services, for the relevant Lot, set out in the Framework Agreement which includes associated schedules.
Lot #6Engineering & ManufacturingRenewalPublished value£3,200,000
Asset manager, Level 4, Automation and controls engineering technician, Level 4, Electro-mechanical engineer, Level 6, Mechatronics maintenance technician, Level 3, Post graduate engineer, Level 7, Risk and safety management professional, (degree), Level 7, Science industry process and plant engineer (degree), Level 6, Water industry network technician, Level 3, Water network operative, Level 2, Water process operative, Level 2, Utilities engineering technician, Level 3, Engineering Maintenance Technician Level 3
- Economic & financial standing
As per Pre Qualification Questionnaire questions
- Technical & professional ability
The objective of this tender is to select a range of Suppliers for each Lot who are capable of providing Apprenticeships standards recognised by Skills England via the Growth and Skills Levy, as set out in the Lot categories listed in the tender pack and in this notice. In responding to this tender, suppliers are confirming they are able to undertake the full suite or part of the services, for the relevant Lot, set out in the Framework Agreement which includes associated schedules.
Lot #7EnvironmentalRenewalPublished value£3,200,000
Ecologist (degree), Level 7, Environmental practitioner (degree), Level 6, Water environment worker, Level 3
- Economic & financial standing
As per Pre Qualification Questionnaire questions
- Technical & professional ability
The objective of this tender is to select a range of Suppliers for each Lot who are capable of providing Apprenticeships standards recognised by Skills England via the Growth and Skills Levy, as set out in the Lot categories listed in the tender pack and in this notice. In responding to this tender, suppliers are confirming they are able to undertake the full suite or part of the services, for the relevant Lot, set out in the Framework Agreement which includes associated schedules.
Lot #8Health & ScienceRenewalceiling above
Laboratory Scientist (Level 5), Laboratory Technician (Level 3), Psychological wellbeing practitioner(Level 6), Research Scientist (Level 7), Scientist (Level 6), Soil Scientist (Level 7), Technician Scientist (Level 5)
- Economic & financial standing
As per Pre Qualification Questionnaire questions
- Technical & professional ability
The objective of this tender is to select a range of Suppliers for each Lot who are capable of providing Apprenticeships standards recognised by Skills England via the Growth and Skills Levy, as set out in the Lot categories listed in the tender pack and in this notice. In responding to this tender, suppliers are confirming they are able to undertake the full suite or part of the services, for the relevant Lot, set out in the Framework Agreement which includes associated schedules.
Lot #9Isle of WightRenewalPublished value£3,200,000
Automation and controls engineering technician, Level 4, Mechatronics maintenance technician, Level 3, Water industry network technician, Level 3, Water industry treatment process technician, Level 3, Water network operative, Level 2, Water process operative, Level 2, Water treatment technician, Level 3, Water Industry Asset Maintenance Technician Level 3, Engineering Maintenance Technician Level 3
- Economic & financial standing
As per Pre Qualification Questionnaire questions
- Technical & professional ability
The objective of this tender is to select a range of Suppliers for each Lot who are capable of providing Apprenticeships standards recognised by Skills England via the Growth and Skills Levy, as set out in the Lot categories listed in the tender pack and in this notice. In responding to this tender, suppliers are confirming they are able to undertake the full suite or part of the services, for the relevant Lot, set out in the Framework Agreement which includes associated schedules.
What it takes to wini
How this buyer will score bids.
The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).
Evaluation split and conditions of participation as published; the tender pack may add morei
How this buyer will score bids.
The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).
Published sub-criteria (2)
- Technical: 80%
- Commercial: 20%
Published award criteria (2)
- Technical: a) Tenderers shall have their answers to the ITT Technical Questions, scored in accordance with the Scoring Evaluation Criteria set out in this IITT. b) These scores will then be moderated by SWS’ evaluation team. c) Tenderers with total technical scores of less than 50 shall be excluded. d) For each Lot SWS aims to award to the minimum number of defined suppliers, depending on awarded final scores. If SWS is satisfied that the top-ranking bidder is able to fulfil all the requirements set out in the Framework Agreement (including relevant specification and other Schedules)' of the relevant Lot, only that Tender will be appointed. The next ranked supplier(s) will only be awarded a place on the framework until all the below criteria may be satisfied: i. capacity to cover all or some of the standards in the lots bided for ii. the supplier (s) has achieved the minimum score of 50 and passed all other minimum requirements stipulated in the tender process. iii. Full or partial coverage of Southern water region, in relation to the apprenticeship standards bided for; SWS will award a position on the Framework to the proposals which are the most advantageous (MAT) to SWS, in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023 and this IITT which shall be assessed through the scoring of suppliers technical and commercial bids in accordance with the published evaluation criteria.
- Commercial: For each apprenticeship standard, bidders must give a total price per apprentice, including End‑Point Assessment (EPA) and any eligible training costs. The price submitted per standard must not exceed the official government cap (called the funding band maximum). Any costing above this cap is not funded and will score a maximum of 0. Additional Charges: This section will not be evaluated as part of the scoring process; however, any prices submitted will be included in the final contractual agreement. Green courses = courses currently used by SWS, weighted 60% of the total price score. Blue courses = courses SWS may use in the future, weighted 40% of the total price score. For each course a college offers, the score will be calculated using the following formula: Score = (Cap − Price) / Cap ×100 If a bidder charges the full cap, they receive 0 points for that course If a bidder charges less than the cap, they receive a higher score (lower price = higher score). Bidders are only scored on courses they actually offer. If a course is not offered, it receives no score and incurs no penalty. Within each course group, the total weight is distributed equally among the courses a college offers. For example: If a college offers four green courses, each course represents 15% of the group’s weight. If a college offers only one green course, that course carries the full 60% weight for the green group. Each bidder’s Commercial Score is calculated by totalling their course scores, weighted according to the green and blue group allocations described above. The Commercial Score is then combined with the bidder’s ITT Technical Score to determine the best overall bids.
- Economic & financial standing
As per Pre Qualification Questionnaire questions
- Technical & professional ability
The objective of this tender is to select a range of Suppliers for each Lot who are capable of providing Apprenticeships standards recognised by Skills England via the Growth and Skills Levy, as set out in the Lot categories listed in the tender pack and in this notice. In responding to this tender, suppliers are confirming they are able to undertake the full suite or part of the services, for the relevant Lot, set out in the Framework Agreement which includes associated schedules.
- Price carries 20 of 100 points: a 10% discount moves about 2 points. The method statement decides this lot, not the discount.
- “PA23 - UK4 - Tender Notice” is a framework: the contest is a place on its panel, up to 5 suppliers, not a single contract: call-offs may be direct or by further competition.
Price arithmetic assumes straight proportional scoring; the tender pack may use another formula.
Procedure terms & legal framework
From the official record- Procedure method
- Competitive flexible procedure
- Legal basis
- UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023
- Procurement category
- Services
- Notice status
- Closed
- Procurement threshold
- Above threshold (FTS publication)
- Regulatory regime
- Utilities
- Commercial structure
- Framework agreement
- Who may use this agreement
- Not stated in the notice; call-off rights may be limited to the establishing authority
- Competition type
- Competitive procedure
- GPA / WTO covered
- Unspecified in notice
- Recurring procurement
- Unspecified in notice
- First published
- 13 Jan 2026, 16:40 GMT
- Last source update
- 13 Jan 2026, 16:40 GMT
- Award evaluation window
- Submission end – 3 Mar 2026
- Authority reference
Prj_8006 Apprenticeships Framework- FTS notice number
2026/S 000-002843- Latest notice
- Tender notice (UK4)
- Classification (CPV)
- Delivery area
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-060517Find a Tender
- How it runs
Stage 1 PQQ
All interested suppliers are invited to submit a response to Pre-Qualification Questionnaire.
The Tenderer will be required to accept the Terms and Conditions in the Framework Agreement.
Tenderers should note that SWS reserves the right to reject a tender submission if the terms and conditions of contract are not agreed between SWS and the Tenderer within a reasonable period. Such period to be determined at the sole discretion of SWS.
SWS additionally reserves the right to not award the Framework to any Tenderer.
Stage 2 ITT
Only shortlisted tenderers will receive an Invitation To Tender
Shortlisted tenderes will be invited to respond to ITT technical questions, will be required to attend a presentation (where applicable), and as well as to provide a commercial response as part of their tender submission, in alignment with the costing structure provided in the e-sourcing portal.
Commercial envelope evaluation comprises an initial submission in alignment with the costing structure provided in the e-sourcing platform.
Potential Tenderers please note that whilst every effort has been made to ensure that full documentation is provided with the Tender Notice, SWS reserves the right under Section 31 of PA23 to make modifications to the terms of a covered procurement, relating to:
- Conditions of participation
- Award criteria
- Requirements of the competitive tendering procedure
Provided that the modifications are in accordance with the provisions of PA23. SWS will ensure that following any such modifications, it will:
- Revise any applicable timescales (where required) as a result of such modification, and
- notify the participating suppliers of such changes, where a participation period applies.
How it was run
Official notice- Appointment period ends
- 10 Feb 2026, 10:00 GMT
- Clarification deadline
- 22 Jan 2026, 15:00 GMT
- Submission channel
- Official e-sourcing portal
- Electronic submission
- Allowed
- Accepted languages
- en
- Supplier levy on call-offs (max %)
- call-off levy · Funding via the Apprenticeship Growth & Skills levy
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at
southernwater.bravosolution.co.uk ↗
Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address
Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted electronically via
southernwater.bravosolution.co.uk ↗
Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted to the above-mentioned address
If you are interested in bidding for this tender, please be aware that you will need to have registered on the central digital platform before you will be able to bid. This will require you to complete some information and then you will be provided with a unique identifier. For more information on how to register, please follow the below link:
how to register on the CDP
Timeline
13 Jan 2026 → 19 May 2026 · 5 dates- Tender notice published281 days ago13 Jan 2026, 16:40 GMT
- Clarification questions by272 days ago22 Jan 2026, 15:00 GMT
- Admission / appointment period ends253 days ago · period end, not a bid countdown10 Feb 2026, 10:00 GMT
- Award decision expected by231 days ago3 Mar 2026, 23:59 GMT
- Contract starts155 days ago19 May 2026, 00:00 BST
Notice history
1 event · 1 release on Find a Tender- Tender notice published13 Jan 2026, 16:40 GMTUK4
Contracting authority & participating public bodies
Official documents & specifications (1)
Official links; attachments are not copiedNotices published for this procedure
- Tender notice Tender notice on Find a Tender