CTF phase 2 bidding abandoned by DWP in 3 CPAs

Bidders for the 2nd phase of Community Task Force have been told by letter today that DWP is withdrawing commissioning the programme in three Contract Package Areas.

The letter to providers says that DWP "has reviewed the transitional arrangements from New Deal to the Personalised Employment Programme". The Department says that to provide "a smooth journey for customers in these areas" it is extending New Deal for Young People until March 2011. They say that "because this provides mandatory work experience for customers, there is no need for separate Community Task Force provision."

The three Contract Package Areas affected are:

• CPA 29 (Hampshire and Isle of Wight)
• CPA 30 (Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire)
• part of CPA 27 (the London Boroughs of Barnet, Enfield and Haringey)

The letter to bidders says that bidders in these CPAs are asked to consider if they want to bid for other areas. As a result of the disruption caused, the deadline for all ITTs has been extended from 24 March to 2pm on 9 April 2010 (regardless of the CPA is being bid for). The shortlisted bidders were announced on 19th February.

The letter signs off reminding that DWP will not be liable for any costs or expenses incurred by a bidder arising from the withdrawal of these Contract Package Areas. The Department admits "that this message will be disappointing" and apologises saying that "circumstances have arisen that have necessitated it."

This is pretty odd - the Department cannot honestly say that it did not realise the NDYP extension would somehow duplicate the mandatory provision on CTF.

The affected bidders are:

• 3Sc
• FourStaR E & S
• A4e
• Accenture
• Business to Business
• Campbell Page Ltd
• CDG
• ESG
• Groundwork UK
• Ingeus
• Intraining
• JHP Group Ltd.
• Maximus
• Ngage Solutions
• Reed in Partnership
• Sarina Russo
• Scout Enterprises
• SCVO
• Seetec
• Shaw Trust
• Skills Training
• TBG Learning
• TCHC Ltd
• TNG Ltd
• Tomorrow’s People Trust Ltd
• Triangle Fusion
• Twin Training International Ltd
• Urban Futures

For a copy of the letter sent to these bidders click below.