How to prepare for devolved funding tenders

Preparing for Success: Essential Steps for Strong Bid Responses in Devolved Regions

As an APMP-qualified consultancy, Roemer Barnes Consultancy supports organisations in strengthening their readiness long before the tender is published, ensuring that, once specifications are released, they are well-positioned to respond with clarity, compliance, and a compelling case for their impact on the workforce. This includes understanding the drivers behind devolved procurement priorities

Below, we outline key preparation strategies tailored to the unique needs of England’s education sector. These steps will help organisations develop strong, relevant responses that maximise their chances of securing contracts and driving impactful outcomes in skills and employability.

### 1. **Understand the Procurement Landscape and Sector-Specific Context**

Effective preparation begins with an understanding of the education and skills development landscape, as well as the regulatory and procurement environment in which tenders are issued. Public sector procurement in the UK is governed by stringent rules, including the Public Contracts Regulations 2015, which emphasise transparency, fair competition, and value for money. In the context of skills and employability programmes, additional regulations related to training standards, safeguarding, and accessibility often apply.

By researching the latest developments in skills policy, the current workforce needs, and the priorities of funders such as the Department for Education, organisations can begin shaping their responses to reflect client priorities. This sector-specific knowledge ensures that bid teams can pre-emptively address the needs of educational bodies and local authorities, presenting responses that resonate with the goals of skills, training, and workforce development initiatives.

### 2. **Develop a Comprehensive Bid Library and Content Repository**

A well-organised bid library, specifically tailored to skills and employability programmes, is essential for efficient responses to education sector tenders. Preparing a repository that includes content on organisational expertise, experience in delivering training, accreditations, and compliance standards can significantly reduce the workload when the tender is published.

This repository should include case studies that highlight prior work in skills and employability initiatives, such as improving apprenticeship completion rates, enhancing learner outcomes, or creating sustainable employment pathways. Additionally, content on specific compliance areas—such as safeguarding, equality, and health and safety policies—can streamline the process by providing pre-approved responses on frequently requested topics.

### 3. **Focus on Social Value and ESG Commitments**

Public sector tenders increasingly assess bids on social value, with a strong emphasis on contributions to community welfare and sustainability, as mandated by the Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012. In the education sector, this focus often translates to criteria on local job creation, diversity, and support for disadvantaged learners.

Organisations should prepare robust content on their social value and ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) commitments, particularly in relation to how they support disadvantaged groups in accessing training and employment opportunities. Documenting examples that showcase a positive impact on local employment, outreach to underrepresented communities, and sustainability practices will provide a strong foundation for these sections. By preparing tailored responses in advance, organisations can ensure that their social value contributions align with public sector priorities in education and skills.

### 4. **Conduct a SWOT Analysis on Capability and Capacity**

A thorough internal analysis of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) related to skills programme delivery is essential for identifying any capability gaps. This assessment should consider factors such as the organisation’s experience in skills development, capacity for learner support, and any necessary certifications or partnerships.

Where gaps are identified, organisations can take steps to address them by establishing partnerships with training providers, improving resource allocation, or investing in staff development. For example, if certain requirements around safeguarding or diversity in programme delivery are identified, organisations can strengthen these areas in advance to be ready for tender questions on these topics. This proactive approach not only improves the bid’s quality but also enhances confidence in the ability to deliver impactful programmes.

### 5. **Engage with Key Stakeholders and Subject Matter Experts (SMEs)**

Education and skills programme tenders often require responses that address technical details around programme structure, learner engagement, and outcome measurement. Engaging with internal SMEs early in the preparation process allows bid teams to gather essential insights on areas such as curriculum development, employability metrics, and compliance.

SMEs can help shape responses that accurately reflect the organisation’s approach to achieving measurable results, such as job placement rates or learner satisfaction. Establishing a regular communication plan with SMEs ensures that information is up-to-date and aligned with sector expectations. This collaborative approach allows for strong, evidence-based responses that build credibility and convey expertise in skills delivery.

### 6. **Prepare Evidence of Compliance and Quality Standards**

In skills and employability programmes, demonstrating compliance with quality standards and legal obligations is non-negotiable. Tenders often require evidence of adherence to legislation around safeguarding, diversity, and data protection, all of which are critical to working with young or vulnerable individuals.

Bid teams should pre-prepare documents showcasing certifications, such as safeguarding policies, DBS checks, and evidence of adherence to industry standards like Ofsted or MATRIX. Having these documents ready ensures timely compliance with tender requirements, allowing the bid team to focus on presenting the programme’s value proposition.

### 7. **Define Your Value Proposition and Unique Differentiators**

In the highly competitive education and skills sector, a strong value proposition can make the difference between winning and losing a tender. The value proposition should clearly articulate the organisation’s unique strengths in delivering skills and employability programmes, such as innovative teaching methods, effective job placement rates, or local partnerships.

This preparation phase is an opportunity for bid teams to work closely with stakeholders to highlight their unique approach, such as tailored support for learners with additional needs or expertise in industry-led training. By defining and refining these differentiators in advance, organisations can quickly adapt them to fit the specific tender once it is released.

### Conclusion

Preparing for success in education sector tenders requires a comprehensive, well-organised approach. By developing a strong foundation before the tender is published, organisations position themselves for success, ensuring that their bids are compliant, aligned with sector priorities, and primed to demonstrate their expertise in delivering impactful skills and employability programmes.

At Roemer Barnes Consultancy, we work with clients in the education sector to enhance their tender readiness, from content preparation to compliance assurance, enabling them to respond confidently and competitively to public sector opportunities. Through proactive preparation, organisations can approach each tender with the resources and strategies needed to secure contracts and support learners’ journey to employment.