Training, Coaching and Development Providers Framework

The Development Bank of Wales (DBW) is seeking to establish a Framework Agreement for the provision of training, coaching and development services to support the learning and development needs of its employees. The framework will provide access to suitably qualified and experienced suppliers capable of delivering a broad range of professional development services, including leadership and management development, procurement and commercial skills, finance, risk and compliance, project management, coaching and mentoring, digital and technology skills, personal effectiveness, and other specialist training requirements.

Through this procurement, DBW aims to appoint a panel of providers who can deliver high-quality, flexible and value-for-money learning solutions across a range of delivery methods, including classroom-based, virtual and blended learning. Tenderers may apply for one, some or multiple disciplines within a Lot.

Tenderers are not required to demonstrate capability across all disciplines contained within a Lot. Additional questions within the eTenderWales portal will require Tenderers to identify the specific discipline(s) for which they are submitting a Tender.

The framework will support DBW's strategic objectives by enhancing workforce capability, supporting organisational development and ensuring employees have access to relevant and effective learning opportunities. Further details of the scope, lot structure, evaluation methodology and framework arrangements are set out within the procurement documents.

The framework is expected to be divided into lots to reflect different areas of expertise. The Development Bank of Wales does not guarantee any minimum volume or value of work under the framework.

Contracts will be awarded in accordance with the call-off procedures set out in the procurement documents. Services may include training programmes, workshops, masterclasses, briefings, coaching, mentoring, facilitation, training needs analysis, learner diagnostics, preparation of learning materials, post-course evaluation and associated reporting.

Delivery may be in person, virtual or blended, depending on the requirement, audience and relevant lot. The framework will be divided into lots covering leadership and management development; procurement, commercial and contract management; financial services, risk and regulatory training; digital, technology and AI skills; project and change management; HR, equality, diversity and inclusion; health, safety and wellbeing; Welsh language and communication skills; coaching and mentoring; and soft skills and business development.

The framework will not guarantee any minimum level of spend, volume of work or number of call-off contracts. Requirements will be commissioned through the framework call-off arrangements and will be subject to business need, budget availability, approval requirements and supplier performance.

The tender code for etenderwales is itt_127450 Strategic Approach to Supplier Appointment In order to maximise competition, improve resilience of supply and provide access to a diverse range of specialist providers, DBW has structured this Framework to allow Tenderers to bid for individual disciplines within each Lot. DBW's approach is intended to support participation from SMEs, micro-businesses, specialist providers and Welsh suppliers who may possess expertise in specific disciplines rather than across all service areas within a Lot.

To ensure continuity of service, competitive tension and sufficient market capacity throughout the term of the Framework Agreement, DBW intends to appoint a minimum of two (2) suppliers and a maximum of four (4) suppliers per discipline within each Lot, subject to a sufficient number of Tenderers meeting the Conditions of Participation and achieving the minimum required evaluation standards. Where fewer than two compliant Tenderers are received for a particular discipline, DBW reserves the right to proceed with the available compliant Tenderer(s) or take such other action as it considers appropriate in accordance with the procurement documents.

The overall maximum number of suppliers that may be appointed across all Lots and disciplines under the Framework Agreement is 314. This figure represents the total maximum framework capacity and should not be interpreted as the number of suppliers to be appointed to any individual Lot or discipline.

This approach is intended to: maintain value for money through ongoing competition at call-off; reduce dependency on individual suppliers; provide flexibility to meet varying business requirements; encourage participation from specialist providers; improve resilience and continuity of service provision; and support DBW's objective of creating a broad and diverse supplier base capable of delivering high-quality training, coaching and development services. Provision of leadership and management development services, including training, workshops, programmes, coaching support, facilitated sessions and practical tools to develop current and aspiring managers, senior leaders and team leaders.

Services may cover people management, performance management, strategic leadership, culture, change leadership, communication, decision-making, resilience and inclusive leadership. Provision of procurement, commercial and contract management training and development services.

Services may include training on procurement legislation, procurement planning, tendering, evaluation, supplier management, contract management, commercial risk, negotiation, governance, transparency, social value and practical procurement processes relevant to DBW’s operating environment. Provision of financial services, risk, compliance and regulatory training.

Services may include technical and practical training on financial services regulation, credit risk, investment risk, operational risk, fraud prevention, anti-money laundering, conduct, governance, assurance, financial crime, data protection, regulatory change and other specialist topics relevant to DBW’s activities. Provision of digital, technology and AI skills training to support staff confidence and capability.

Services may include training on Microsoft 365 tools, digital productivity, data literacy, cyber awareness, artificial intelligence, automation, digital transformation, accessibility in digital tools and practical use of technology in a professional services environment. Provision of project management, programme management and change management training and development services.

Services may include training on project planning, governance, delivery methods, risk and issue management, benefits realisation, stakeholder engagement, communication planning, change readiness, adoption and practical delivery of organisational change. Provision of HR-related, equality, diversity and inclusion training.

Services may include training on employment-related people practices, inclusive workplaces, dignity at work, unconscious bias, equality duties, reasonable adjustments, recruitment and selection, employee relations, wellbeing conversations, policy implementation and inclusive management practices. Provision of health, safety and wellbeing training and development services.

Services may include statutory or good-practice health and safety training, mental health awareness, wellbeing, resilience, stress management, workplace safety, first aid-related awareness, risk awareness, personal safety and practical support for safe and healthy working practices. Provision of Welsh language and communication skills training.

Services may include Welsh language learning, confidence-building, workplace Welsh, bilingual customer or stakeholder communication, plain English, written communication, presentation skills, report writing, influencing skills and communication tailored to DBW’s internal and external audiences. Provision of coaching and mentoring services for individuals, groups, managers and senior leaders.

Services may include executive coaching, leadership coaching, career coaching, mentoring support, group coaching, action learning, coaching for change, coaching for performance and development-focused support linked to agreed outcomes. Provision of soft skills and business development training. Services may include training on communication, collaboration, confidence, negotiation, influencing, customer service, stakeholder management, time management, presentation skills, problem solving, decision-making, personal effectiveness and wider professional development skills.