Early Years Local Authority Implementation and Challenge Contract

PLEASE NOTE DUE TO COVID19 OUTBREAK,THE UPCOMING PROCUREMENT FOR EARLY YEARS LOCAL AUTHORITY IMPLEMENTATION AND CHALLENGE CONTRACT IS POSTPONED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE .................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Description: Market Warming Event

The purpose of this Prior Information Notice (PIN) is to notify the market of the Department for Education's (DfE) intention to undertake a procurement exercise for the Early Years Local Authority Implementation and Challenge Contract in early 2020.

Prior to the procurement, the DfE will be undertaking Market Engagement activity for interested providers to learn more about the requirements, network with other providers, and input into the development of the service and commercial models. The DfE currently funds three early education and childcare entitlements: • 15 hours for the most disadvantaged 2-year-olds; • Universal 15 hours for all 3- and 4-year-olds; and • Additional 15 hours for eligible 3- and 4-year olds.

The DfE intends to procure a supplier to work with local authorities (LAs) to build capability to secure sufficient childcare places to meet demand, and to promote take-up of the entitlements by the least advantaged families. We anticipate that delivery of this work will begin in Spring 2020 and run for one year.

Description: Market Warming Event

Place of performance: Department for Education, 2 St. Paul's Place, 125 Norfolk Street, Sheffield, England, S1 2FJ.

The DfE plan to hold a 2-hour supplier event from 11am on Friday 10 January 2020 in Sheffield for interested organisations.

This event will enable organisations to gain a better understanding of DfE's requirements and allow DfE to take on board feedback from potential suppliers about this work.

To pre-register for the supplier event please email:

[email protected]

Please see the attached file for full details;

Additional information: Form of procedure: Main features of the award procedure: The following are indicative key dates for the procurement activity: • Mid-February 2020 - issue of invitation to tender; • Mid-March 2020 - deadline date for bids; • Late April 2020 - indicative contract award (subject to agreement with DfE Ministers).

The procurement activity for this requirement will be conducted electronically via Jaggaer e-tendering portal. No hard copy documents will be issued; all communications with DfE will be carried out via the portal. Bidders will be required to register on Jaggaer portal: https://education.app.jaggaer.com/web/login.html

For any assistance with the portal, bidders should contact the Jaggaer helpdesk: [email protected] Please note that this PIN is not a call to competition and the DfE is not bound to enter into any procurement activity because of it. With procurement being dependant on ministerial priorities, funding for Implementation and Challenge Services is subject to change at DfE's absolute discretion.