Public procurement notice: Contract Notice
Published: 2020-12-15
Buyer: Ministry of Defence, Agencies/Misc, Other
Country: UK
Contract type: Services
Procedure: Competitive dialogue
CPV classification: 33123200 | 33156000 | 35700000: Military electronic systems | 48422000 | 48445000
Estimated value: 1599000000 GBP
Submission deadline: 2021-01-29
Award criteria: The most economic tender

Technical requirements: In order to sustain their operational capability, the UK's Armed Forces currently need to enlist annually in the region of 18 000 to 22 000 (regular and reserve) new recruits from the UK and the Commonwealth. The Armed Forces Recruiting Programme (AFRP) is responsible for delivering a single, common, tri-Service (tS) recruiting process for the Armed Forces. AFRP is mandated to achieve the right quality and quantity of recruits into training to achieve single Service (sS) workforce demands.
In order to sustain their operational capacity the UK's Armed Forces currently need to enlist annually in the region of 18 000 to 22 000 (Regular and Reserve) new recruits from the UK and the Commonwealth. The Armed Forces Recruiting Programme (AFRP) is responsible for delivering a single, common, tri-Service (tS) recruiting process for the Armed Forces. The AFRP is mandated to achieve the right quality and quantity of recruits into training to achieve single Service (sS) workforce demands. The AFRP will place the candidate at the heart of the recruiting experience whilst delivering a tS Recruiting Operating Model (ROM) that is agile and able to dynamically respond to future Service requirements. The recruiting process must deliver an engaging experience that reflects the needs of candidates across all entry paths (Regular/Reserve, officers/other ranks/specialist, lateral entry and re-joiners) which maximises the conversion of eligible candidates into successful recruits. The new model envisages that each candidate will feel that the experience is tailored to their needs.
A recruitment strategy and governance function is required which shall translate the Defence People Strategy and sS workforce priorities into a clear, coherent, forward looking tS recruitment strategy.
A marketing function is required which shall be collaborative and cohesive, drawing on industry expertise to plan, develop and deliver optimised campaigns and to develop a communications strategy based on a range of paid, owned and earned channels founded on audience insight as well as understanding and evaluating the effectiveness of the marketing campaigns.
A contact function is required to ensure the candidate can resolve queries, feel informed, inspired, motivated and nurtured from first contact through to entering service. The function will be supported by an end-to-end self service system which shall process candidate applications and documentation, automate communications and progression to the next stage and online scheduling of recruitment activities.
An assessment function is required which shall develop an effective and consistent process that delivers a series of assessment elements (standards as refined by the authority) in order to asses the candidate's suitability and preference for service and/ or role.
A reporting data and management information function is required which shall provide the development and implementation of data architecture that manages the collection, quality, standardisation and integration of data. The AFRP Digital Project is closely aligned with, and will provide the backbone to, thr ROM. In so doing, the team is responsible for ensuring that the proposed solutions meet with current wider Government and MOD ICT policy, MOD accreditation criteria and additional Government and MOD assurance gates for large programmes.
All three sS are looking to transform their recruiting operations over the next 2 to 5 years and have given commitment for alignment and coherence by March 2024.
The contract duration will consist of a transitional period plus an initial 7 years full operational period with an option for a further 3 years.
The estimated contract value is in the range of GBP 1 000 000 000 to GBP 1 750 000 000 inclusive of the operational extension period of up to 3 years.
A market industry day will be held on Friday 8 January 2021. Contact ArmyExec-AFRP-Commercial-Mail@mod.gov.uk for further details. Please note that registering on award and completing a NDA is mandatory to attend the event.
The PCR 2015 policy is a minimum of 3. Due to the complexities of the Programme and the length of the competitive dialogue procedure the decision was made to take 3 candidates through.
Interested suppliers should visit the provided URL (weblink) and complete the AWARD supplier self-registration process. Once the online form has been completed, the supplier will receive an automatically generated activation email before gaining access to the AFRP AWARD portal.
The authority reserves the right to amend any condition related to security of information to reflect any changes in national law or government policy. If any contract documents are accompanied by instructions on safeguarding classified information (e.g. a Security Aspects Letter), the authority reserves the right to amend the terms of these instructions to reflect any changes in national law or government policy, whether in respect of the applicable protective marking scheme, specific protective markings given, the aspects to which any protective marking applies, or otherwise. The link below to the Gov.uk website provides information on the Government Security Classification.
Advertising Regime OJEU: this contract opportunity is published in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU), the MoD Defence Contracts Bulletin and www.contracts.mod.uk Go reference: GO-20201210-DCB-17487671

Eligibility requirements: See procurement documents for details.

Award value: 1599000000