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| Source: | Find a Tender Service (FTS) |
| Notice Type: | Award notice |
| Buyer: | Nottingham College |
| Main Category: | Services |
| Procurement Method: | Direct award |
| Method Rationale: | Following market assessment, it has been determined that only one supplier is capable of delivering the Authority's requirement for an integrated, cloud-based system to manage residential apprenticeship delivery end-to-end. The Authority requires a specialist, fully integrated platform that combines multiple critical operational functions into a single system, including: accommodation booking, travel management, apprentice block scheduling, safeguarding and welfare tracking, real-time communications, reporting, and feedback collection. These functions must operate cohesively to support high-volume residential apprenticeship delivery, ensure safeguarding compliance, and meet Ofsted expectations. Market engagement and research identified alternative suppliers; however, these suppliers were unable to meet the requirement for a single, unified, cloud-based platform. Available alternatives typically rely on disparate systems and/or manual processes, requiring multiple platforms or manual intervention to deliver the same outcomes. This creates significant operational inefficiencies, increased administrative burden, and heightened risks in relation to: safeguarding and welfare oversight accuracy of bookings and scheduling real-time visibility of learner activity auditability and reporting required for Ofsted and regulatory compliance The Authority has determined that no reasonably available alternative solution can replicate this level of integration and functionality without substantial custom development, system integration, or manual workaround processes. Such approaches would introduce unacceptable delivery risk, additional cost, implementation delay, and potential non-compliance with safeguarding and inspection requirements. Accordingly, competition is considered absent for technical reasons, and the ServAce platform is the only supplier currently capable of meeting the Authority's requirements in full. The Authority is therefore satisfied that a direct award is justified on the basis that: the requirement can only be fulfilled by one supplier due to its unique combination of technical capabilities and system integration, and no reasonable substitute or alternative solution exists within the market that can meet the Authority's needs to the required standard. |
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Awarded to
| Award value: | £2,800,000 |
| Award status: | Pending |
A system specifically designed to manage travel, accommodation, and scheduling for apprentices. Including features for safeguarding and compliance, which are critical for younger learners and auditing requirements (like Ofsted) We will need tailored offerings for field-based training programs. Allowing us to secure block accommodation at discounted rates. A streamlined version for general corporate travel management, focusing on hotel bookings and transport coordination for Apprentices. The platform needs to maintain full audit trails and document storage, making it easier for us to prove we are meeting regulatory standards. The provider will need to negotiate directly with hotels and venues to secure competitive "block" rates that are usually lower than standard public rates. The provider will need to provide a mobile app for the Apprentices to access their training dates, joining instructions, and accommodation details. The provider will need to ensure round-the-clock support for Apprentices who might encounter issues (like check-in problems) outside of standard business hours. Key Deliverables A hold at the hotels of 50 rooms per evening through the working week. A discounted hotel rooms rate. The ability to block book. A system for tracking issues and ensuring a safeguarding culture and environment is maintained. An account manager to support the relationship between us and the hotel. Geographical Coverage Nottingham Slough
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Book a free consultation →| Tender Status: | Closed |
| Estimated Value (ex. VAT): | Not specified |
| Release Date: | 12 May 2026 |
| Application Deadline: | — |
| Contract Start Date: | — |
| Contract End Date: | — |
| Contract Duration: | NaN years |
| Procurement ID (OCID): | ocds-h6vhtk-0696ed |
| Notice Reference: | 043588-2026 |