FND2 process just gets worse
It just gets worse....
Now, instead of filling in 5-10 subcontractor forms in each CPA, you have to fill in 20+ in each, but that's after you have filled in the waste-of-time-tell-you-nothing DWP standard info sharing template. So, its double the form filling, less time and three times as many forms to get through for FND2.
Also, its even more about the big guys delivering what they have done before. All primes want to know "where you have branches, what is your ofsted, track record" etc in their forms. Name me one successful FND1 bid that didn't have an established organisation, in the CPA already, as their main subcontractor?
What if...., right...., you had worked for many of the primes etc..., right..., and you had a company that had a spiffing idea, designed around the weaknesses of established delivery, and you wanted to be a sub? You havent got OFSTED, you havent got 3 years accounts and you dont espect anything objective from merlin as its being delivered by someone with massive vested interest in maintain the status quo!
I quote the commissioning strategy;
"The top-tier provider should provide a reasonable level of extra support for new entrants into the market."
Just one....just one...thats all Im asking...One example of how this is happening and Ill match it with 5 where it is actively not happening and getting worse.
Anyway, nobody will read this as they will be too busy filling in subby forms so I'm going for a lie down.
You clearly have a problem with bureaucracy..... but, unfortunately, if contractors wish to tender for whatever contract is in the offing, they have to put the work in and can't simply eschew the "Field of Dreams Methodology" - "If We build it, they will come".
Sorry to deflate your mojo.... but the public finances are in a horrednous mess, and the situation isn't helped by Training Providers committing fraud left right and centre. Certainly, in less austere circumstances, you could expect any two bit Training Provider to come along, to put in a lowest possible bid for a Training Contract and, would end up with one jot of a contract.
So - get your act together, put your head down, and start to work for a living. If you don't like the fire, get out of the kitchen.
Oh come on, both of you.
@Hayforhee: new entrants have always been disadvantaged in bidding - I remember when you had to put your name on a secret, unadvertised list in each area where you were interested in contracts. If primes choose existing deliverers, it's because they think the tenders will benefit from their inclusion, so it's just transferring the same thing down as happened before. Also, there's likely to be more paperwork this time round because there's actually room in the ITTs for proper information on subcontractors this time round.
@Tony: I'm not even sure what you're saying here, but assuming 'fraud left right and centre' when repeated investigations have revealed the opposite is unfortunate.
Has everybody forgot about Merlin?
The ITT makes it clear that Primes have to be very careful in the way they work with subcontractors before, during and after any procurement.
Now that Primes are potentially going to need to prove why decisions were made they will need proof. The forms allow this proof.
Hi - Merlin wont be in time and its run by someone who is writing FND bids and working directly for prime contractors so I dont hold out much hope for that. The additional paperwork for the tender isnt neccesary - it could, and is being done by some primes in far less bureucratic ways.
Tony - thasnks for the career advice. For your info and to counter your suggestion Im scared to work for a living, I do 60 hours a week, have 34 staff, wrote two successful FND phase 1 bids and work for a company with a 20 year track record and a 8 figure turn over so watch your lip son.
I volunteer, however, for a 3rd sector organisation who dont have the staff to send to both the SERCO and the INtraining events tomorrow, which are on the same day at the same time for the same district. In business terms, we are 1 of about 40 agencies going, at least 35 of those will never make the subcontract list.
It seems an inefficient and painful process for the smaller groups which seems to go against the rhetoric of DWP.
Hayforhee, far be it from me to usually stand up for the likes of Jim Carley - god knows he's big and ugly enough to look after himself - but I think he's got integrity and on Merlin won't be swayed by his work for Primes any more than by his work for Subbies.
Doesn't move away from your general point that FND2 process is seriously flawed though - 55 shortlisted companies, many of whom aren't actually going to bid in the areas they have been published as being shortlisted for! That in itself will entail a huge waste of time for any subbie looking for a parent Prime because they will be in some cases approaching companies who don't have any intention to bid, but don't want to openly say so too early in case it queers their pitch in the Bidder Engagement Meetings with DWP about the areas they do want to go for.