Public procurement notice: Prior Information Notice Without Call For Competition
Published: 2019-12-23
Buyer: Infrastructure and Projects Authority (IPA) and Crown Commercial Services (CCS) acting as its agent
Country: UK
Contract type: Services
CPV classification: 72000000 | 72220000: Systems and technical consultancy services | 75000000 | 75121000 | 80000000
Estimated value: 16500000 GBP

Technical requirements: IPA is undertaking market engagement activity ahead of its intention to formally re-procure the Major Projects Leadership Academy, a development programme run for the most senior project delivery leaders in government. We expect to issue an ITT in 2020. The current contract ends in early 2021.
Government projects are complex and delivered under intense political and public scrutiny, often in volatile and uncertain contexts. They can be of significant scale and uniqueness. Of critical importance to the IPA is to build project delivery capability through enhancing project leadership. To this end the IPA has established 2 key project leadership development programmes, 1 of which is the Major Projects Leadership Academy (MPLA).
MPLA was launched in 2012. It is aimed at leaders who hold the most senior delivery roles on projects in the Government’s Major Project Portfolio (GMPP). The programme is currently delivered by Oxford Saïd Business School, University of Oxford.
The programme since inception has enrolled over 680 leaders from across government departments and launched 23 cohorts. From 2016, it has delivered 2 to 3 cohorts a year of up to 34 participants per cohort.
The current MPLA is based on 4 key senior leadership competencies: leadership of self, leadership of major projects, commercial leadership and technical leadership. Its content combines expert academic theory with insights from experienced practitioners. Its format currently includes 3 residential modules, master classes, an assurance review of a major project, assignments and online tools such as bespoke 360 °C feedback and a dedicated programme portal.
The current contract is due to expire in January 2021 and it is the intention of the IPA to re-procure the programme.
This PIN does not however constitute a commitment by the IPA to commit to any procurement activity or award a contract but is to alert the market to some market engagement activity.
The estimated value in this notice is subject to the final requirements identified so constitutes a guide only.
The information in this PIN sets out the cabinet office’s current thinking in respect of this opportunity. The cabinet office reserves the right to change any of the information given in this PIN or at the proposed market engagement event at any time. Accordingly, economic operators shall not be entitled to rely on such information.
The purpose of this PIN is to give notice that the IPA is intending to undertake a tendering exercise in 2020 to set up a new contract for the delivery of the Major Projects Leadership Academy and to advise that the IPA intends to engage and consult potential market suppliers ahead of the formal procurement process.
The engagement and consultation undertaken will be for the purpose of explaining the business and learning requirements and the context of how HM Government works on building project and programme professional capability. It will give suppliers the opportunity to ask questions, seek feedback, explore the scope for innovation and change and to input to the contracting approach.
To register interest in the procurement and to receive invitations to events or documents for the engagement activities please email mpla@ipa.gov.uk by Wednesday 8.1.2020
Please use ‘Supplier Registration MPLA-RM1631-2020’ as the subject title and provide full contact details including company name, address, the name of a primary contact person with direct telephone number and email.
The IPA methods of engagement will include an initial paper consultation and may include further paper consultation, a supplier day and/or 1-2-1 discussions but these will be scheduled subject to levels of interest and procurement process considerations.


Award value: 16500000