New courses - Boost your chances for winning contracts

Structuring & Writing Competitive Tenders’ will explore tools and techniques to maximise your success in tendering.

• 21 April 2010, Carmarthen

‘Competitive Tender Presentations’ will explore how to present an effective bid and give an insider view into really ‘selling’ your tender by bringing it to life.

• 5 May 2010, Carmarthen

For more information see here

If you are already on the Approved Supplier list.

Invitations to Tender (ITT) have now been sent out for all Levels.

Tender deadlines for Pembrokeshire are:

• Level 1 - this level is currently closed
• Level 2 - 12th March 2010 at 2pm
• Level 3 - this level is currently closed

PAVS can give you support with your tender and once you have won a contract. Contact details, click here.

WCVA announces Gateway approved supplier list

WCVA has published details of the organisations that have successfully joined the Engagement Gateway approved supplier list for Convergence areas.

The organisations whose pre qualification questionnaires (PQQ) were approved will now be eligible to tender for contracts – and the first invitations to tender will be issued this month.

Click here to view the Gateway approved supplier list (opens word document in new window)

There may be another opportunity for organisations to submit PQQ's, and therefore become eligible to tender for contracts in Convergence area, later in the year - although this has not been confirmed.

About Engagement Gateway

The Gateway aims to reduce economic inactivity in Wales by investing in organisations that work with people outside of mainstream employment and furthest from the labour market.

The Gateway is a scheme under the European Union's Convergence programme, which is the successor to Objective 1.

It aims to reduce economic inactivity in Wales by investing in organisations that improve the employability of disadvantaged people furthest from the labour market.

What kind of people are considered 'furthest from the labour market'?

The Gateway will invest in organisations that target people who may be out of touch with mainstream services, or at high risk of long term benefit dependency. These groups will include people facing specific disadvantage, such as:

• Women who want to return to work
• Black, Asian and minority ethnic people
• People with a work limiting health condition or disability
• Mental health service users
• People over 50 years of age

Other target groups include:

• People in receipt of incapacity benefit
• Lone parents with children of all ages
• Young people not in employment, education or training
• Economically inactive people throughout Wales

Is it a grant fund?

No. The Gateway is a scheme that will offer contracts for up to two years.

Contracts will fall into two different categories that require organisations to deliver positive outcomes to specific target groups and/or specific geographical areas.

Any organisation will be able to bid for contracts through a tendering process.

What types of outcomes are required to win a contract?

The aim of the Gateway is to help people make progress towards employment.

The Gateway will invest in organisations that provide activities to build the skills, confidence and knowledge of target groups; and which link progress to a 'next step' such as referrals to other projects, volunteering, training, supported employment or full employment.

While the outcomes of the contracts will be defined by WCVA, organisations that are tendering can design the activities that best suit their client group.

Which organisations can tender for the Gateway contracts?

Any organisation can tender for the Gateway contracts.

No organisation will be excluded from gaining contracts based on their geographic location. However, activities must be delivered to participants within the Convergence areas of Wales, and WCVA is seeking to maximise Welsh input in the scheme.

How much money can the Gateway invest in organisations?

Level 1 - contracts of up to £25,000 over a maximum two year period. Match funding, while not discouraged, is not a requirement at this level.

Level 2 - contracts of £25,000 - £75,000 over a maximum two year period. An element of match funding is required at this level.

Level 3 - contracts of £75,000 - £150,000. An element of match funding is required at this level.

Match funding may include financial contribution, in-kind donations or volunteer time.

What do we do next?

The Engagement Gateway scheme is a restricted process - this means that only groups who have submitted and received approval of their PQQ will be able to bid for any of the tendering opportunities which will become available.

Organisations on the approved suppliers list will be offered the opportunity to tender for contracts to deliver projects to the target groups and within the geographical areas. 

All organisations must complete a Pre Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ) to be considered for the "approved suppliers" list.

Only organisations on WCVA's approved supplier list will be eligible to tender for the Gateway contracts.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's) click here (PDF document)

Where can I get more Information?

Contact Louise Wilkinson at PAVS on 01437 769422

or

Contact the WCVA Helpdesk on 0800 2888 329 or email help@wcva.org.uk

Other tendering opportunities are available via

www.sell2wales.co.uk and www.wefo.wales.gov.uk

Last updated: 03.03.10