Employability support programme: partner feedback from the first pre-market engagement notice

Responses to the pre-market engagement questionnaire were required to be uploaded and formally submitted via eTenderWales on 18 November 2025. For reporting purposes all responses to the pre-market engagement questionnaire were anonymised prior to full analysis, a summary of the anonymised responses is provided to inform the market and support transparency. 

1. Responder details

Summary of pre-market engagement 

Not applicable.

WG response

Not applicable.

2. Supporting subcontracting and consortia bids

Summary of pre-market engagement 

21 of 22 responders agreed to share contact details for collaboration.

1 of 22 responders marked 'Not applicable’.

WG response

To encourage subcontracting and consortia collaboration we will publish a directory of providers who have indicated they are interested in sharing their contact details for these purposes. The directory will be published as part of the summary of engagement for employability support, on employability support programme: engagement events.

The directory will also be published on eTenderWales during another upcoming pre-market engagement notice engagement for employability support and the future tender process.

Providers not currently listed who are interested in collaborating and want to have their contact details added to the directory should email us at employabilitysupport@gov.wales.

Please refer to the Privacy Notice published with the Directory of Providers for how your personal details will be handled by the Welsh Government, it includes information on your rights and information we hold about you and the legal grounds for how we use your information.

Please also see guidance for consortia: joint bidding for public contracts: guidance for consortia.

3.1 Central digital platform

Summary of pre-market engagement 

There is broad agreement on CDP registration, with most providers already registered. Some responders said there was duplication across the CDP platform, sell2Wales and eTenderWales and that guidance was needed on integration between these platforms and clarity on updates. SMEs need early guidance.

Organisations operating in consortia may need clarification on whether all partners must register individually or only the lead organization.

WG response

The new Procurement Act came into force in the UK in February 2025, which stipulates that all organisations that we pay as a public authority have to be registered on the Central Digital Platform (CDP) so that we can be transparent about our spending and about with who we contract with. 

There is more information about the CDP and how to register for the first time: Buyers and Suppliers: how to use the Central Digital Platform, the enhanced Find a Tender service.

The information suppliers upload into the CDP is used for the mandatory exclusion grounds; the benefit is that suppliers complete the information once on the CDP and these responses can be shared for future tenders. 

Sell2wales serves as a free and secure online platform for advertising contract and tender opportunities. Suppliers can register on sell2wales under the relevant CPV codes (Common Procurement Vocabulary). CPV codes are standardised classification numbers used to describe the type of goods, works, or services being procured. By registering under the relevant CPV codes, suppliers will receive notifications about tender opportunities linked to those codes and guidance on how to access the tender documents via eTenderWales.

For more information, you can visit the official website at: Sell2Wales: welcome to Sell2Wales - Sell2Wales.

eTenderWales is an electronic tendering platform used by the Welsh Government for sharing tender documents and receiving tender bids. It allows organizations to manage tender documents and responses through the Bravo Solution portal. 

Although the CDP, Sell2wales and eTenderWales portals have some background integration suppliers must register separately on each of these portals. 

For consortia bids, only the lead provider needs to register on CDP, Sell2Wales and eTenderWales. The other consortium members do not have to register independently on the CDP unless they: 

• are part of the “supplier” entity bidding, or the contracting authority requires individual registration for exclusion checks (which they are allowed to do but not required to)

We will:

• clarify the bid submission procedure and provide a Q&A opportunity in an upcoming pre-market engagement notice. We will also publish a summary of all pre-market engagement on the Welsh Government website (links provided at section 2)
• the bid submission procedure and the Q&A response will also be included in the Tender Documentation, once issued

3.2 Carbon reduction

Summary of pre-market engagement 

There is strong commitment to Net Zero, with larger providers having plans while SMEs are concerned about the burden. Respondents suggest training and incentives.

WG response

Please see additional information and guidance resources: 

• Carbon Reduction Plans – Training for suppliers - CCS.
• Using the CRP standard template based on PPN 006 and CRP Compliance Checklist.
• See also WPPN016 (Welsh Procurement Policy Note (WPPN) 016: Decarbonisation through procurement - addressing CO2e in supply chains that outlines the importance to the Welsh Government of addressing CO2e in supply chains.

3.3 Liability and insurance

Summary of pre-market engagement 

Most providers hold adequate insurance and suggest an approach that reflects the contract value and risk profile, requesting early publication of thresholds.

WG response

We will:

• set insurance cover thresholds based on contract value and risk profile and provide the thresholds in an upcoming pre-market engagement exercise and in the Tender Documentation, once issued

3.4 Cyber essentials plus

Summary of pre-market engagement 

There is broad support for Cyber Essentials Plus and ISO27001 accreditation, applicability to supply chain partners needs clarification and early notice. SMEs concerned about cost burden.

WG response

Please see additional information and guidance resources:

•  PPN 014: Cyber essentials scheme.
• Cyber Essentials Plus: Cyber Essentials - NCSC.

The certification process is provided by government approved certification bodies which are currently accredited by Information Assurance for Small and Medium Enterprises (IASME).

3.5 Supply chains and ethical employment

Summary of pre-market engagement 

There is universal support for the Welsh Government ethical employment is supply chains code of practice, with many providers publishing Modern Slavery statements.

WG response

Please see additional information and guidance:

• Welsh Government Modern Slavery Statement.
• Written Statement: new online learning on modern slavery (16 October 2025).
• Welsh Government, Ethical employment in supply chains: code of practice: Ethical employment in supply chains: code of practice.
• Welsh Government, Ethical employment in supply chains: code of practice, guidance and training: Ethical employment in supply chains: code of practice, guidance and training.

3.6 Welsh language

Summary of pre-market engagement 

There is strong commitment to Welsh language standards, but financial uplifts and shared translation resources would help suppliers, especially SME suppliers manage costs.

WG response

We will:

• outline the funding model (including any uplifts) in an upcoming pre-market engagement notice and in the tender documentation once issued
• encourage networking opportunities through delivery of the programme to promote collaboration and partnership working

KPIs

4.1 Performance measures

Summary of pre-market engagement 

There is consensus on using mixed KPIs that include quantitative outcomes (for example. employment, training, qualifications) and qualitative outcomes (for example confidence, wellbeing, distance-travelled metrics).

WG response

We will:

• adopt a balanced KPI framework, by measuring quantitative outcomes and by supporting networking opportunities through delivery of the programme to develop and monitor qualitative measurements

4.2 Monitoring participant progress

Summary of pre-market engagement 

Providers use CRM systems and action plans with a mix of quantitative and qualitative measures including validated well-being scales, supported by regular reviews and feedback loops.

WG Response

We will:

• encourage networking opportunities through delivery of the programme to develop and maintain a minimum standard monitoring framework to capture participant’s progress
• encourage the use of digital case management tools for real-time tracking

SMEs and resilient supply chain

4.3 Collaboration with SMEs/VCSEs

Summary of pre-market engagement 

There is widespread collaboration with SMEs, VCSEs and specialist providers with emphasis on community-based provision and underpinned by formal structures such as data sharing agreements. This ensures flexibility and diversification within the supply chain reduces dependency on single sources and maintains operational stability.

WG response

Please see information and guidance resources here:

• Welsh Government, Community Benefits Guidance for Suppliers: Procurement: community benefits guidance for suppliers.
• Welsh Government, Guidance for Consortia: Joint bidding for public contracts: guidance for consortia.

We will incentivise collaboration with SMEs/VCSEs by:

• encouraging subcontracting and consortia collaboration by publishing a directory of providers who have indicated they are interested in sharing their contact details for these purposes, see Q2
• clarifying requirements for consortium bids and subcontracting and providing links to guidance in pre-market engagement notices and in the tender documentation
• encouraging networking opportunities through delivery of the Programme to help build capacity and ensure alignment with sector priorities

4.4 Impact of scored criteria on involvement of SMEs 

Summary of pre-market engagement 

A scored criteria approach is positively received, but respondents warn against tokenism and request clear definitions and weightings.

WG response

We will:

• clarify the evaluation process and scored criteria to be applied, in an upcoming pre-market engagement notice and in the tender documentation once issued
• require contract terms and conditions that apply to a prime contractor, including terms concerning payments, to be passed onto any sub-contractors

4.5 Guidance for providers

Summary of pre-market engagement 

Providers request clear, plain-language guidance along with templates and FAQs. Webinars and Q&A sessions would further support participation.

Clear procurement timelines and TUPE information would also support providers.

WG Response

We will provide:

• an upcoming pre-market engagement notice that incorporates the procurement timeline, instructions for bidding and a Q&A opportunity and other relevant information that will keep the market informed of the procurement and process
• instructions for Bidding, Response Templates and the Q&A response within the tender documentation and we will check all tender documentation for clarity

Lotting structure and allocation

4.6 Lotting structure and delivery approach

Summary of pre-market engagement 

Preference for regional alignment; balance lot size for efficiency and SME access; support local delivery whilst avoiding fragmentation; allow consortia.

WG response

We will:

• design a lotting structure aligned to geographical regions and with balanced lot size, details will be included in an upcoming pre-market engagement notice and in the tender documentation once issued

See also response to 4.3.

4.7 Delivering services 

Summary of pre-market engagement 

Flexible blended models are preferred, relying on local partnerships, digital tools, and bilingual provision, with additional resources for rural areas.

WG response

We will:

• adopt a flexible blended service delivery model that allows for a hybrid digital and local engagement approach to delivering services
• outline the funding model (including any uplifts) in an upcoming pre-market engagement notice and in the tender documentation once issued

4.8 Lotting risks

Summary of pre-market engagement 

Risks include fragmentation, exclusion of SMEs, and TUPE complexities, while mitigation strategies involve balanced lot sizes, consortia options, and setting caps on lots per provider, with early guidance being critical.

WG response

See responses to 4.3, 4.5 and 4.6.

Funding methodology

4.9 Funding model principles

Summary of pre-market engagement 

Respondents emphasize stability, predictability, and flexibility, preferring multi-year funding and blended models that include soft outcomes.

WG response

We will:

• implement a multi-year-contract Programme, the funding model will comprise annual contract allocations and incorporate a blended approach of milestone delivery payments and payments based on outcomes achieved
• outline the funding model in an upcoming pre-market engagement notice and in the tender documentation once issued

4.10 Managing financial risk

Summary of pre-market engagement

Providers use forecasting, financial management, and caseload management to manage risk noting that blended models (combining activity and outcome payments) reduce volatility, while advance payments and milestone structures help liquidity, and SMEs need flexible payment cycles.

WG response

Implementing the approach outlined at 4.9 aligns with the feedback on managing financial risk.

See section 4.4 . 

4.11 Funding model challenges

Summary of pre-market engagement

Challenges include cash flow strain from delays, unrealistic targets, over-reliance on hard outcomes not rewarding engagement of hardest to reach participants, and complex payment processes increasing the administrative burden.

WG response

See section 4.9.

Financial information

4.12 Financial requirements impact

Summary of pre-market engagement

Providers have experienced barriers through caps on corporate overheads, caps on profit, unrealistic turnover thresholds, while outcome-based payment models increase risk and tight financial envelopes discourage innovation, with lack of flexibility limiting SME participation.

WG response

We will:

• align financial turnover thresholds proportionately with the contract value to ensure scalability and fairness and provide details of the financial threshold in an upcoming pre-market engagement notice and in the tender documentation once issued
• include risk-sharing mechanisms such as milestone delivery payments
• provide details of the estimated procured programme value, allocation methodology and annual contract allocation in an upcoming pre-market engagement notice and in the tender documentation once issued

4.13 Reasonable financial thresholds

Summary of pre-market engagement

Respondents suggest proportionate thresholds linked to contract size, a tiered approach for SMEs versus large primes, and emphasize transparency and early publication.

WG response

We will:

• align financial turnover thresholds proportionately with the contract value to ensure scalability and fairness
• provide details of the financial threshold and financial criteria in an upcoming pre-market engagement Notice and in the tender cocumentation once issued

4.14 Financial evidence typically held

Summary of pre-market engagement

Providers typically hold audited accounts for 2 to 3 years, management accounts and cashflow forecasts, insurance certificates, and bank references or reserves statements.

WG response

We will:

• provide details of the financial evidence criteria such as audited accounts in an upcoming pre-market engagement notice and in the tender documentation once issued

Capacity

4.15 Readiness evidence for delivery

Summary of pre-market engagement

Providers demonstrate readiness through operational plans and staffing structures, quality assurance frameworks, IT systems capability, previous contract performance data, and policies covering safeguarding, GDPR, and Welsh Language.

WG response

Bidders will have an opportunity to demonstrate capacity for delivery as part of their tender submissions.

Other

4.16 Other feedback

Summary of pre-market engagement 

Respondents highlight the need for clear, plain-language guidance, early visibility of opportunities, networking support for consortia, simplified compliance and claims processes, and flexibility for rural delivery and innovation. 

WG response

The points raised have been addressed within the responses provided.

We will also publish a summary of all pre-market engagement on the Welsh Government website (links provided at section 2).