Economic Participation - calls for expression of interest 2009-10

Organisations wising to express an interest in the programme are asked to complete an online pre qualification questionnaire to be found at Local Government Sourcing.

The questionnaire will be used to identify supplier organisations that will be invited to submit a tender to deliver and manage projects to be funded by Economic Participation. The closing date for expressions of interest will be 24 April at 5pm. The activities to be offered for tender are listed below:

Activity 1 – “In 2 Work”

Applications are invited from service providers to deliver one or more large projects that will work with adults, who may be unemployed and have learning and health needs. Contract Managers will need to work with smaller service providers who are in direct contact with the participants.

In order to assist people “In 2 Work” one project might address learning and skills training requirements and the other address health and other barriers to employment. Activities will provide adults with the skills to return to learning and employment.

The activities will completely address the needs of the individual and provide whatever is required to assist a person either to achieve a job and/or a qualification and or a health improvement resulting in being able to come off health related benefits.  Participants will be provided with a personalised progression route into:
• entry level numeracy qualification courses,
• NVQ Courses at Level 1 or 2 or other accredited learning
• employment
• coming off benefits, particularly health related benefits

Activity 2 – The Learning Shop

Applications are invited from service providers to deliver a town centre facility to promote learning in Luton.

The facility will provide:

• Information on all learning opportunities in Luton regardless of who provides them
• Skills Health Checks
• Linkages to community satellite learning facilities
• Space for people to undertake IAG on the premises

Activity 3 – Making Positive Transitions

Applications are invited from service providers to deliver a town centre resource to work with young people who lack basic skills, have no qualifications, and are either “NEET” or at risk of becoming “NEET”.  This activity will be subject to Campus Luton quality assurance measures and include Campus Luton on the centre’s management board. The centre will provide a hub for school based activities that will be available for use beyond the school day and the school term.

Activity 4 – Luton Business Space

Applications are invited from service providers to deliver managed work space projects for small and medium sized enterprises. Work spaces will share some communal facilities, kitchen, toilets and meeting room etc and the project will provide business support services for users.

The capital grant will be used to build or renovate existing buildings to provide the work spaces, the revenue allocation needs to include provision for business support services.  One project will be in a target area (Northwell, Biscot, Lewsey or Dallow) and one need not be in a target area, but will serve beneficiaries from one of the target areas. 

For full details of the activities and the funds available please view the Prospectus and Tender Specification below. An organisation must successfully complete the pre qualification questionnaire (PQQ) process on www.localgovsourcing.co.uk in order to be invited to submit a tender for one or more of the above activities.

Please see the attached document below on how to register for the PQQ. The “Notes to Suppliers” at the beginning of the electronic form will give more information on how to complete the PQQ itself.

If you require further assistance with the electronic PQQ, please use the online help facility, or you can contact the BravoSolution help desk between 8am and 6pm, Monday – Friday on:

• email:   help@bravosolution.co.uk
• Phone: 0800 011 2470 / Fax: 020 7080 0480

Anticipated Timetable

The anticipated timetable for this tendering round is as follows:

This project is funded by the East of England Development Agency.