Commissioning and Contracting
LSC CONTRACTS AND ALLOCATION LETTERS FOR EMPLOYER RESPONSIVE PROVISION
The LSC wrote to providers in June 2009 to confirm Maximum Contract Values (MCV) for 2009/10 provision. In addition to the financial allocation the letters also confirmed the intention of the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) to enter into a formal agreement for the provision.
The letter indicated that the current terms and conditions under the contract issued during the 2008/9 academic year would continue to apply until a formal variation is issued. The interim arrangements will operate from 1 August 2009 until 31 October 2009 or until the formal contract variation is signed by both parties, whichever is the earliest.
The letter also included a standard clause that is usually applied to Letters of Intent that indicated that either party shall have the right to terminate the arrangements set out in the letter by one party giving one weeks notice in writing to the other. However, as the 2009/10 provision is covered by the 2008/9 contract terms until formally varied it is the intention of the LSC to apply the notice period set out in clause 19(5) of the General Terms so that either party shall have the right to terminate the arrangements set out by giving three months notice in writing to the other.
All other elements of the letters issued continue to be applicable and providers are reminded that they are required to confirm their agreement to the allocations and terms by signing a copy of the letter on behalf of the Contractor/College/Body to signify agreement to the terms set out. If this confirmation is not received by the start of August the LSC will be unable to make payments for Employer Responsive provision.
Commissioning Strategy for 2009/10
The LSC’s commissioning strategy for 2009/10 is set out in our Statement of Priorities (November 2008). The key elements of our strategy are:
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To prioritise a negotiated commissioning process with successful, high-performing providers (subject to ESF match requirements);
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To support the growth of providers who have the capacity, quality and performance to deliver and to remove the cap on negotiated growth;
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To introduce a Qualified Provider Framework to streamline our commissioning and tendering processes;
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To use open and competitive tendering to support business need and in circumstances where there is no identified provider; and to only routinely competitively tender for provision every 3 to 5 years, making full use of longer contracts
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To introduce single contracts and central management for employer responsive providers
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To remove geographical restrictions to delivery so providers can operate in any region/locality
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To streamline contracting documentation through the removal of the separate programme delivery schedules
LSC's Qualified Provider Framework
As of 31st October 2008, the LSC has opened a Qualified Provider Framework for providers of education and training services. The Qualified Provider Framework is a maintained list of all providers from which the LSC will secure education and training services. This list will incorporate those providers with whom the LSC will negotiate and/or invite to tender.
The Qualified Provider Framework will streamline the way the LSC commissions and contracts for provision and will remove barriers for new providers wishing to work with the LSC.
Providers that wish to be eligible to receive invitations to tender can apply to be pre-qualified at any time during the year. This ‘always open’ approach will allow providers to apply at a time convenient to them and which suits their business need.
Providers that would like to be invited to the next round of tenders to be issued by the LSC and who have not already qualified on the QPF must submit their completed ‘Complete Me First’ and ‘Type 2 Prequalification’ documents. These applications will then be evaluated and successful providers will be invited to tender in future tendering rounds.
Click here for more information about the Qualified Provider Framework.
Current tendering opportunities
Seven LSC regions are tendering for the Regional Apprentice Redeployment Support Programme. For more information please download the following document:
The deadline to submit a PQQ response is
21st May 2009 at 4pm.
Regional Commissioning Statements 2009/10
Regional Commissioning Statements place the national Statement of Priorities in a regional context, setting out the challenges and priorities for each region, as well as the provision to be secured for 2009/10.
Contract documentation
To see our contracting documentation for 2008/09 please use the following links:
Contract & Conditions
Contract Schedule 1
Contract Schedule 2
To see our contracting documentation for 2009/10 please use the following links:
Contract for Services
Financial Memorandum part 2
Conditions of Funding (Grant)
