Flexible contracting agreement (FCA) for Birmingham Virtual School Enrichment Services

Birmingham City Council is seeking providers to join a new Flexible Contracting Agreement (FCA) for Birmingham Virtual School Enrichment Services, with an estimated total value of £5.6 million excluding VAT.

The agreement will provide a range of education and enrichment services for looked-after children in Birmingham, as well as children and young people placed by Birmingham City Council within other local authority areas.

The programme is designed to improve educational achievement, inclusion, participation and progression, while ensuring that the individual needs and aspirations of children and young people are supported.

Provision will cover careers information, advice and guidance, short courses and qualifications, and community enrichment activities including creative arts, music, sport, outdoor learning and STEM.

Tenderers can apply for one or more lots, with providers meeting the required minimum quality criteria appointed to the FCA.

Lots Available

The FCA has been divided into three main lots:

• Lot 1 – Careers Information, Advice and Guidance (CIAG): Supporting young people aged 12–19 who have experienced disrupted education, face transition challenges or are at risk of becoming NEET. Provision includes personalised careers advice, programmes and events. One provider will be appointed.
• Lot 2 – Short Courses and Qualifications: Supporting Year 11–13 learners, particularly those who are newly arrived or NEET, through courses ranging from pre-entry to Level 2.
• Lot 3 – Community Enrichment Activities: Covering Creative Arts, Music, Sport, Outdoor Learning and STEM activities.

Lot 2 is further divided into:

• Lot 2a – English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL): Provision for Key Stage 4 and Key Stage 5.
• Lot 2b – Accredited Courses & Qualifications: Provision for Key Stage 4 and Key Stage 5.

Up to four providers will be appointed under Lot 2, with two providers for each Key Stage within Lots 2a and 2b.

Potential suppliers must complete the main tender response documentation alongside the relevant response documents for each lot they wish to bid for.

Contract Information

• Buyer: Birmingham City Council
• Deadline: 1 October 2026, 12:00pm
• Contract Value: £5,600,000 excluding VAT (£6,720,000 including VAT)
• Delivery Length: 11 January 2027 to 10 January 2030, with the option to extend for a further 12 months to 10 January 2031
• Tender Link: Click here

Reference: P3401

The extension is subject to satisfactory performance and the availability of funding.

The FCA is expected to be established in February 2027, with call-offs and any mini-competitions anticipated to commence from March 2027.

Call-Off Process

The Council will operate a structured call-off procedure under the FCA.

Direct award will be the default approach, with the option to undertake a further competition or mini-competition where a requirement cannot be satisfied through direct award.

For Lots 2 and 3, the stated call-off process will involve:

• Identifying the needs of the young person
• Reviewing the Provider Offer Matrix
• Assessing providers according to location, type of provision and cost
• Awarding to the best-fit provider using the predetermined method

Evaluation Criteria

Evaluation criteria vary between the three lots.

Lot 1 – Careers Information, Advice and Guidance (CIAG)

• Quality – 60%
• Social Value – 20%
• Price – 20%

Lot 2 – Short Courses and Qualifications

• Quality – 80%
• Social Value – 20%

Lot 3 – Community Enrichment Activities

• Quality – 80%
• Price – 20%

The opportunity is identified as particularly suitable for SMEs and voluntary, community and social enterprises.

Procurement Procedure

The FCA is being procured under the Procurement Act 2023 using a Competitive Flexible Procedure and the Light Touch regime.

The Council states that the Light Touch provisions apply to certain social, health and education services because of their direct impact on individuals and communities.

The estimated award decision date is 15 December 2026.

The opportunity provides education, training and enrichment organisations with access to a significant commissioning arrangement supporting looked-after children and young people. Its broad range of lots creates opportunities for specialist providers across careers support, ESOL, accredited education and community enrichment services to contribute to educational participation and progression.

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If you want to advertise your opportunity, please contact Jamie Peacock, Tender Specialist at advertising@dailyround.news