Supplying DWP

Procurement Exercise for Phase One of the flexible New Deal – Amendment to Contract Packages

1 April 2008

Dear Provider,

Following further consultation between The Secretary of State and the Welsh Assembly Government it has been agreed that there will be some changes to the Phase One contracting arrangements affecting Wales and Cheshire, Halton and Warrington.

These changes take account of existing partnerships in Wales and should enhance the implementation of flexible New Deal in the country. Wales will now be covered by two flexible New Deal contract areas:

Both areas will have single providers.

The district of Cheshire, Halton and Warrington will be moved to Phase Two of the flexible New Deal procurement. This will minimise the changes we are making, and ensure that we are not putting any bidders at a disadvantage in the procurement process. Consultations are taking place on the best delivery structure for Phase 2, including Cheshire, Halton and Warrington. Decisions on this will be announced in due course.

Revised versions of the Pre-Qualification Questionnaire, Instructions to Bidders and Provision Specification and Supporting Information can be accessed through the following links:

The time limits and instructions for Phase One remain unchanged and responses should be returned to the Department by 14 May 2008.

As a result of the above changes, the 14 revised Phase One contract areas in which prime contractors can bid to provide the flexible New Deal service are:

Question and Answer Log for the Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ) - added 4 April 2008

Please use the following link to view the PQQ question and answer log for the first phase of the flexible New Deal contracting process. The log will be updated on a weekly basis.

Further Phase 1 PQQ questions can be raised be e-mailing sheffieldmayfieldcourt.flexiblenewdeal@dwp.gsi.gov.uk

Please Note: Questions will be accepted until Noon on 30 April 2008.

Bidder Events

A big thank you to all those who attended our recent Bidder Events for the first phase of the flexible New Deal Contracting process which took place from 3 April until 11 April 2008.

To access the presentation slides please use the following link: flexible New Deal presentation slides


Tracy Hughes
Head of Provision Sourcing
Department for Work & Pensions