A4e Delivery Partner Framework

A4e works closely with Government and have aligned ourselves with the DWP’s approach to the procurement of employment-related services.

After a competitive tendering exercise the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) announced that we had been included in the DWP Framework Contract (known as the Employment Related Support Services Contract), across seven regions;

• North East.
• North West.
• Yorkshire and Humber.
• East Midlands.
• East of England.
• London.
• South East.

The Framework Contract award allows us to become a preferred supplier for future tender opportunities; the first was the Work Programme.

In response the the DWPs own Framework Contract approach, A4e has developed our own Delivery Partner Framework which will offer a number of advantages for the government, A4e and particularly for you, our potential Partners. The A4e Delivery Partner Framework will:

• simplify and significantly reduce the time and cost of applying for individual opportunities – this is a one off call for Partners to support A4e in delivering employment-related services (although we do reserve the right to re-open this process at a later date should the need arise). By asking for this information now and agreeing preferred Partners we will only need shorter more focussed competitions amongst the Framework for future tender opportunities.
• drive up performance and value for money – by increasing competition amongst our supply chain during the selection process as well as enabling A4e to address poor performance during delivery and reward those that perform to a consistently high level.
• be more efficient and responsive – by selecting preferred Partners on to our Framework, we can respond more quickly to new opportunities with increasingly short bidding windows, focusing on the essential information we need to select the right Partners for each opportunity.

Framework Selection process

In line with DWP’s Code of Conduct, the Merlin Standard and A4e’s commitment to working with a broad range of partners from all sectors we have designed our Delivery Partner Framework application and selection process to ensure that it is open, transparent, clear and consistent for all.

All Framework questionnaires will be evaluated by A4e’s Regional Teams against the following criteria:

• Organisational Capacity & Capability
• Financial Viability
• Quality
• Experience & Track Record

How to get involved?

A4e Delivery Partner Framework has now been completed for the Work Programme. However, opportunities may occur in the future as the customer profile changes.

If your organisation has the experience and track record to deliver the entire customer journey from referral, initial assessment to sustained employment in a specific geographic area or to a specific customer group:

• Register or access your previous registration on our online Partnership database.
• If your organisation is unable to deliver the entire customer journey but can deliver specialist services for customers you may want to consider the Work Programme Specialist Intervention.