Framework Agreement released by DWP

DWP has announced the framework agreement for the provision of employment related support services, helping people to find employment.

According to the statement, the framework competition will identify organisations (including consortia) that have the capacity and expertise to deliver not only the Work Programme but also other potential employment related support services contracts. This may also include contracts that may attract European Social Fund (“ESF”) support.

The Work Programme may be used by the DWP as match for its ESF Co-financing arrangements and where this applies Work Programme providers will be required to meet a range of ESF requirements.

The statement also explains that there, “will be stronger incentives for organisations to work with the harder to help and place them into work. “

Although there will be no guarantee of work, as an indication of the scale of the services involved, the indicative overall value of contracts to be let through this framework agreement is likely to be between £0.3 billion - £3 billion per year, according to the DWP. It points out that the overall value may be dependent on the financial savings realised as a direct result of enabling people to obtain sustainable employment. Individual contract values will vary, but in the main are likely to be between £10-50 million per year. Both the estimated total spend per annum and estimated contract values will be dependent on organisations delivering high performance and value for money.

The framework agreement will be divided into 11 lots:

The DWP expect to appoint between 3 and 8 organisations to each Lot. Each framework agreement will be for up to 4 years. The expectation is that many contracts let under the framework agreement will be long term and may be up to 7 years if justified.

For further information, please visit the DWP website.