Early engagement and soft market testing - management and operation of the Quarry House leisure centre

Soft market testing

DWP is engaging with the market early in order to secure valuable feedback and establish the following:

- What the appetite is amongst suppliers to provide these services to DWP? - How attractive is the proposed contract to suppliers? - Which commercial models are used for this kind of service?

There is a questionnaire attached to the Prior Invitation Notice (PIN).

It is the intention of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to put in place an arrangement for the management and operation of the Quarry House leisure centre in Leeds. The centre is based at Quarry House, Quarry Hill, Leeds, LS2 7UA. The successful supplier will be required to manage and operate the centre on the department's behalf providing a fully functional sports and leisure centre for permitted users. This will also include the management of the café area. The main purpose of the facility is to promote and encourage active and healthy lifestyles for government employees and other permitted users and to actively encourage membership from other local organisations and participation from local schools, disadvantaged and community groups.

Site visits can be arranged for interested parties capable of running a sports and leisure centre, to view the facility, discuss returned questionnaires and answer any further queries regarding the opportunity.

DWP would hold these visits in early December 2023.

Additional information: We invite market operators to complete the attached questionnaire and return to [email protected] by 20th November 2023.

If the Department subsequently decides to launch a procurement for this site, it is intended that a tendering exercise will be conducted in late 2023/ early 2024. Please note that timescales for commencing the procurement are indicative and subject to change. DWP is not bound to enter into any procurement exercise as a consequence of this notice. Any costs incurred in participating in the pre-market engagement be borne by the market operator.

Please note that the Department for Work and Pensions uses e-tendering provided by bravosolutions. The full suite of documentation including specification and specific details relating to this procurement will be available here if we proceed to market.

If you are interested in this opportunity you will need to register for access to the system. If you are already registered, please check that your registration includes DWP in order to correctly receive the tender documents.

The link to register or make amendments is as follows: https://dwp.bravosolution.co.uk . If you have any problems whilst registering, please contact the eProcurement helpdesk on 0800 368 4850 or email [email protected]

Any information that interested suppliers share may be used to assist with drafting any subsequent procurement, will not be treated as confidential and may be subject to requests under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. For the avoidance of doubt, this notice is not a call for competition.