Recently DWP outlined future bidding opportunities for Welfare to Work programmes in a UK round of information events.
By 2011 over 200 new outcome focused contracts will be awarded worth up to £5bn, including:
§ Flexible New Deal
§ JCP Support Contract
§ IDEAS
§ ESF 2007-2013
§ Progress to Work
§ Work for your Benefit
§ Invest to Save Pathfinders (AME-DEL)
§ Personalised Employment Programme
§ Pathways to Work
Programmes will be contracted mainly through a standard PQQ and ITT process; the standard procurement process length will be 18 months from PQQ publication to commencement of delivery. Although DWP are likely to contract with prime providers in many instances, they were keen to allay the fears of smaller organisations, affirming there is still a desire to include local and expert provision, maintaining a diverse supplier base. To this aim experts were available to specifically advise on the formation of Special Purpose Vehicles.
The events also included an overview of DWP Welfare Reform (focussing on Capability, Control and Contribution) and a Review of Lessons Learnt from previous contracts.
Presentation slides from the event will be available from 6th March:
http://www.dwp.gov.uk/supplyingdwp/what_we_buy/opportunities_to_tender.asp
