Issue details

GMCA have run a competitive process via a Mini-Competition in which 1 bid was received in total.

The Mini-Competition comprised of 2 parts, the first being Quality questions which accounted for 85% of the total score. The Quality selection process involved evaluating the bidders’ responses on a number of criteria:

- Employer Engagement (Step 1) - 20%
- Business Skills Review & Individual Skills Development Plans (Step 2) - 15%
- Skills Brokerage (Step 3 – Skills Brokerage) - 10%
- Essential Work Skills Provision (Step 4 – Skills Delivery) -10%
- Quality Assurance - 5%
- Finances & Profile - 5%
- Performance, Data & Reporting - 10%
- Capability to Deliver - 10%

Social Value was weighted as 15% of the overall score (9% Qualitative and 6% Quantitative) and was evaluated via the Social Value Portal.

Quality questions were assessed initially by individual evaluators, with each question being evaluated by a minimum of three evaluators who had all completed and signed Conflict of Interest declarations.

In addition to the previously mentioned assessment criteria, bidders were also subject to comprehensive Finance and Economic Standing, Information Governance and Safeguarding evaluations. These were carried out by specialists within GMCA and conducted in line with the processes published within the documentation.

Bidders were also required to meet minimum requirements for Ofsted or, where no recent Ofsted inspect was available, produce a good internal Self-Assessment Report.

A contract for services will be awarded to The Growth Company for the delivery of GMCA 930 Employer Engagement and Essential Work Skills for Employed GM Residents (Test and Learn) at a cost of £4,460,000.