Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy (ITSS) Specialist Consultancy

The UK Institute for Technical Skills and Strategy was established in August 2023, building on existing programmes of work to champion the roles of technicians in higher education and research.

The ITSS has four core areas of activity to support technical staff and their institutions across the sector:

- Research and Policy Group - Learning and Development Academy - Community & Practice Hub - Technician Commitment

A fifth area of activity, ITSS Consulting - a not for profit, paid for consultancy arm, has been developed in response to requests for bespoke support from institutions.

As part of the continued commitment to the HE and research sector, ITSS Consulting supports organisations to overcome barriers and future-proof technical teams. ITSS Consulting design tailored workforce and organisational development solutions that align to strategic plans and work with a network of technical, leadership and organisational development specialists to help navigate the changing HE landscape, and to develop and grow skilled technical teams across multiple departments and disciplines.

Successful tenderers will become Consultants who will partner with ITSS Consulting to support provision which falls under four broad categories:

• Learning and Development • Organisational Change • EDI and Wellbeing • Technical Working Environments

Informed by the latest research and best practices within the HE sector and beyond, Consultants must demonstrate a clear understanding of the technical and research communities, as well as organisations within the rapidly evolving HE and research landscape, particularly as the UK acknowledges the critical importance of growth in the science, technology, engineering, medicine, and creative industries.

Additional information: Where an organisation would like to participate and be invited for the tender opportunity, it shall complete and submit the Preliminary Market Engagement response document to the University by 28 March 2025, 12 noon. The Preliminary Market Engagement response document must be submitted to the University via their Oracle Fusion Supplier Portal.

This Preliminary Market Engagement (PME) is intended to facilitate early market engagement only and is not a call for competition. The University shall not be held liable for any costs whatsoever resulting directly or indirectly from participation in this PME, and is issued to provide and gather information only. The information contained within this PME, or in any communication made between the University and any organisation (in relation to this requirement), must not be assumed as creating a contract or agreement.

More information - can be accessed through below tendering portal.

1. If you or your organisation HAS already provided services to the University, please sign into your Supplier Portal account (https://nottingham.ac.uk/unicore)

2. If you or your organisation has NOT previously provided services to the University, please Create Supplier Portal account (https://fa-evyf-saasfaprod1.fa.ocs.oraclecloud.com/fscmUI/redwood/supplier-registration/register-supplier/register-supplier-verification?id=agCZIjzUAOPvjBpnNHwvUcj67xZ36GoH9hWzHXo24sd8wyqd1xY8ouMHLQ==)

When logged in, view the opportunity through 'Active Negotiations':

- Scroll to the 'Supplier Portal' menu option and click the 'Supplier Portal' tile. - Click on 'View Active Negotiations' link, under the Tasks panel. - To find this opportunity, select 'No' under the 'Invitation Received' search field, then click 'Search'. - The Search Results will display accordingly. Select the Negotiation number hyperlink (N0000029) and access the opportunity.

Additional detail and guidance can be found at (https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/dts/accounts-and-access/unicore/unicore.aspx), within the 'Information for suppliers of goods and services' section.

For audit purposes, if you have any questions regarding the PME please raise via the Portal "Messages" function once logged in.