Solent Skills Bootcamp Framework

Portsmouth City Council (the Contracting Authority), on behalf of the Solent Growth Partnership, is inviting tenders from suitably qualified suppliers in order to set up a Light Touch Framework (multi-lot, multi-supplier) to provide Skills Bootcamp Training.

This is an opportunity to deliver Skills Bootcamp training across the Solent as part of a series of skills interventions under the Skills for Life Programme. Skills Bootcamps are funded by the Department for Education (DfE) and will assist in the achievement of the Solent Growth and Prosperity Strategy to develop a world class talent base, helping people at all stages of their career build the skills they need.

In this regard, we are seeking suitably qualified and experienced training providers to develop and deliver a Skills Bootcamps Framework that help us achieve the Solent Growth and Prosperity Strategy and in particular the people priority of "Confident, prosperous and healthy". This is underpinned by the Solent Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) prepared by the Hampshire Chamber of Commerce (CoC) as the designated employer representative body for the Solent region by the DfE in August 2022.

Solent Skills bootcamps should seek to address the gaps within the local skills system supporting employers with current and future local skills needs. The most recent Solent Local Skills Report (2022) identifies a range of skills needs for the Solent and highlighted critical issues surrounding acute skills shortage and recruitment challenges experienced across many of the Solent's key employment sectors.

The successful training providers will need to demonstrate an understanding of the Solent and have an extensive community reach and strong industry networks. The Council is particularly interested in responses that can achieve value for money across the region, which may include collaborations or partnership/consortia applications.

The Framework will be re-opened for new entrants at the Council's discretion. Circumstances in which this may occur could be if new Lots are included, if further funding is received or if suppliers opt to leave the Framework.

The Framework will be split into 18 Lots as laid in this Notice. A maximum of 5 suppliers will be awarded a place onto each Lot. Should there be multiple suppliers with tied scores then this number may be increased.

The Council reserves the right to open further Lots which will be advertised via an updated Notice. If further Lots are included then the framework will be re-opened for applications. Further details of Lots that are currently being considered are:

a) Maritime

b) Construction

c) Hydrogen/Low carbon

The first call-offs under the Framework will be for Wave 6 of Skills Bootcamp. A budget ceiling of £3,195,000 (excluding VAT) is set for this work.

Over the lifetime of the Framework, subject to additional funding, the total value is estimated at £24 million, however no guarantee can be made in respect of the accuracy of this estimate or any guarantee of future spend via the Framework.

The estimated value could also increase subject to new Lots being introduced or additional funds being made available for current or future funders.

The Framework term will be for 8 years. Call-off contract durations will vary depending on funding, details will be provided at the point of call-off.

The procurement timetable is set out below-

Tender Notice & Associated Tender Documents published - 16/04/25

Teams Bidder Briefing - 24/04/25

Deadline for Supplier Clarifications - 30/04/25 at 23:59

Deadline to submit a Tender Submission - 14/05/25 at 12:00 (midday)

Assessment Deadline - 23/05/25

Issue Assessment Summaries - 30/05/25

Publish Framework Award Notice - 30/05/25

Voluntary Standstill period - To midnight 11/06/25

Execute Framework Contract - as soon as practicable following standstill.

For further information and to access the full set of tender documents, tenderers are directed to the Council's eSender site, Intend. https://in-tendhost.co.uk/portsmouthcc/aspx/home