Erasmus+ and ESC Residual Services and Temporary Worker Visa Sponsorship Services (Tier 5)

Following market engagement, the Department for Education is now conducting a Procurement exercise for Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps (ESC) Residual Activity Services and Temporary Worker Visa Sponsorship Services (Tier 5).

This procurement is divided into 2 Lots:

* Lot 1 - Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps (ESC) Residual Activity Services * Lot 2 - Temporary Worker Visa Sponsorship Services (Tier 5)

Each Lot will be evaluated and awarded independently. Tenderers can bid for and be awarded for one or both Lots, and consortia bids are welcome for each Lot.

Lot 1 summary:

Although the UK is no longer an EU member state, the Withdrawal Agreement in place between the UK and EU requires all projects selected and funded under the Erasmus+ programme 2014-2020 will continue to operate until their completion on the same basis under which they were selected. Accordingly, the Department as National Authority for the programme in the UK is required to ensure ongoing delivery of its obligations to the programme until complete. It is expected that the relevant project activities will continue until the end of the academic year 2023-2024 and will be administered by a National Agency appointed by the National Authority and acting under the delegation of the European Commission. Information about the Erasmus+ programme can be found at https://ec.europa.eu/programmes/erasmus-plus/node_en or www.erasmusplus.org.uk

Lot 2 summary:

From 1 January 2021 EU nationals are subject to the new points-based immigration system. The Erasmus+ programme is defined by Home Office as a Government Authorised Exchange (GAE) programme and EU nationals taking part in Erasmus+ work mobilities (e.g. Higher Education traineeships, Further Education work experience, staff mobilities, etc.) are required to have a Temporary Worker - GAE Visa (T5) before entering the UK. Individuals must secure a "Certificate of Sponsorship" and the Department require an appointed sponsor (who will need to hold or secure a relevant Home Office licence) to administer the certificates and undertake relevant monitoring activity on its behalf. Further information about the Temporary Work visa and Sponsorship obligations can be found at www.gov.uk/government-authorised-exchange and www.gov.uk/government/collections/sponsorship-information-for-employers-and-educators

The Services subject to this Tender are "Social or Other Specific Services" within Section 7 of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (PCR) and are therefore not subject to the full extent of the Regulations.

The Authority will be carrying out an Open Procedure, as set out in Regulation 27, for this procurement.

Interested suppliers must ensure they are registered on the Jaggaer portal https://education.app.jaggaer.com in order to participate in this procurement.

Further information is included in the ITT pack.

Additional information: Services under Lot 1 include but are not limited to:

- Checks of grant beneficiaries, including compliance checks and assessments - Monitoring and support to beneficiaries - Interim and Final project report assessments and payments - Recovery of EU funds from beneficiaries and managing waivers - Financial management of relevant EU funds and payment requests - National Agency reporting for European Commission (e.g. Yearly Reports, Audit requirements)

Lot 1 Contract Value: The estimated value of the Lot 1 services is £12 Million.

The Contract Duration for Lot 1 is 1 November 2021 until 31 March 2025, with an option to extend for a further 12 months.

Services under Lot 2 include but are not limited to:

- Receive applications for Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) from the sending organisation or individuals who want to enter the United Kingdom under the provisions of the 2014-2020 Erasmus+ Programme. - Process CoS applications, assessing the migrant's documents and details about their address in the UK and duration of stay. - Issuing CoS to successful applicants in a timely fashion, where applicable, processing payment for CoS. - Fulfil necessary monitoring and reporting duties. - Comply with Home Office guidelines.

Lot 2 Contract Value: The estimated value of the Contract is £8.7 million.

The estimated value of the Lot 2 services is £8.7 million but Tenderers should note that in accordance with procurement law requirements and in order to allow DfE flexibility to increase the volumes under this contract if this is required in future an estimated upper range value of £12.2 million is provided in these tender documents. There is no guarantee of any volumes (or any increases in volumes) save as expressly set out in the tender documents.

The Contract Duration for Lot 2 is 1 November 2021 until 30 June 2024, with an option to extend for a further 12 months.