PRIOR INFORMATION NOTICE for The provision of Apprenticeship Training to soldiers of the British Army through Service Provider Contracts under the Army Apprenticeship Programme: Tranche 3

This Prior Information Notice (PIN) is for next set (Tranche 3) of Army Apprenticeship Cap Badge Main Service Provider Contract Opportunities.

The Army Apprenticeship Programme (AAP) provides apprenticeships to 15 Cap Badges across the Army, each Cap Badge runs multiple Standards to enable them to offer a high-quality Apprenticeship Programme for their soldiers. The Army was rated No. 1 Apprenticeship Employer in the 2023 Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers list.

The Future Opportunities included under this PIN for Tranche 3 are as follows: Royal Logistic Corps and Catering Training Wing combined contract (RLC/CTW) Adjutant General's Corps Staff and Personnel Services Branch, Royal Military Police combined contract (SPS/RMP) Royal Armoured Corps and Royal Army Veterinary Corps combined contract (RAC/RAVC)

The Army acts as an Employer Provider for Apprenticeships and operates the AAP under a hybrid model where the Army delivers the majority of Apprenticeship training for KSBs. These contracts are to provide the following main elements:

- Gap training for KSBs not covered by Army delivered training. Detail of this will be provided in the tender pack.

- Creation and maintenance of Individual Learner Records including maintaining all records on an ESFA compliant platform (currently MAYTAS).

- Conducting initial enrolment, progress reviews and gateway review.

- Functional Skills delivery where required.

- Preparation of Apprentices for, and co-ordination of, end point assessments.

- Main cap Badge Service Provider interaction with Apprentices is conducted in a mixed model of remote and face to face at Apprentice workplace locations across the United Kingdom. Main locations detail will be provided in the Tender pack.

The attached table shows likely Apprenticeship Standards in the Cap Badge programmes and the current number of apprentices on programme (February 2024 data).

Additional information: All Interested parties are to note:

- This PIN is NOT a formal request for Expressions of Interest (EOI). The purpose is to alert the market to this potential future requirement. Please wait for the individual Opportunity Notices to be published in due course.

- A current listing on the Apprenticeship Provider and Assessment Register (APAR) is a prerequisite to bid.

- In accordance with ESFA funding rules on subcontracting, bidders must provide all services listed on the Contract directly.

- The Standards listed in the attached table represent those currently delivered by each cap badge and is subject to change.

- These Contracts are for two Cap Badges each and interested parties are to note that each Cap badge has its own Governance process and are treated separately at the delivery level. The tender pack will confirm the specific delivery requirements for each Cap Badge.

- It is intended that contracts will be awarded for 6 years commencing 1st August 2025.

- Contract actual values will be directly linked to the number and progress of Apprentices enrolled on each Standard during the period of the Contract. Estimated Contract values are based on current Army manning and recruitment levels and are subject to fluctuation.

- Under current plans, Army anticipates commencing the tendering for these Contracts in September 2024. A competition for each these requirements, under the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and following the Open Procedure, will be launched with release of the appropriate Opportunity Notices on the Defence Sourcing Portal.

- A bidders briefing event is planned to be held in Tidworth on the 11th September 2024.

- An active DSP Supplier account may be required to access the attachment.