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Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) for Employment and Health Related Test and Learn Provision
Country:
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandSector:
Education and training servicesDeadline:
17 Sept 2026AI Summary
The Dynamic Purchasing System for Employment and Health Related Test and Learn Provision has been established by the Department for Work and Pensions to acquire social and other employment and health‑related services across England, Scotland and Wales. The DPS serves as a lightweight, open‑ended procurement platform that enables organisations—particularly ones capable of delivering innovative or specialised approaches—to design, piloting and evaluate proof‑of‑concept projects that support evidence‑based national and local service delivery. Although no future business is guaranteed, the system is expected to generate a limited number of test and learn contracts over its duration, with an anticipated cumulative value of approximately £20 million.
Recent revisions to the core terms and call‑off schedules, taking effect on 8 February 2024, include the removal of European Union references, an updated security call‑off timetable, revised data‑processing provisions, the introduction of an optional staff‑transfer call‑off schedule, and a change in the signature sequencing to have the buyer sign the award form second. Financial standing is now assessed in greater detail at the call‑off competition stage rather than at admission. The nominal end date for the DPS is 30 September 2026, with the possibility of further extension, and may be terminated by the DWP with twenty working days’ notice.
Compliance is required with the updated security and data‑processing provisions and with the optional staff‑transfer call‑off schedule.
Recent revisions to the core terms and call‑off schedules, taking effect on 8 February 2024, include the removal of European Union references, an updated security call‑off timetable, revised data‑processing provisions, the introduction of an optional staff‑transfer call‑off schedule, and a change in the signature sequencing to have the buyer sign the award form second. Financial standing is now assessed in greater detail at the call‑off competition stage rather than at admission. The nominal end date for the DPS is 30 September 2026, with the possibility of further extension, and may be terminated by the DWP with twenty working days’ notice.
Compliance is required with the updated security and data‑processing provisions and with the optional staff‑transfer call‑off schedule.
Description
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has updated the Dynamic Purchasing System for Employment and Health Related Test and Learn Provision Core Terms and Schedules ("Test and Learn DPS Contract") alongside the Instructions to Potential Suppliers and Application Guidance documentation. The updates to the Test and Learn DPS Contract shall take effect on 8th February 2024.
To summarise, the changes to the Test and Learn DPS Contract are as follows:
- Removal/replacement of certain European Union references;
- Updated security call-off schedule;
- Updated data processing provisions;
- Addition of an optional staff transfer call-off schedule;
- Change in the sequencing of signatures in the call-off award procedure so a buyer (rather than the supplier) will sign a call-off award form second;
- Change in the approach to financial standing assessments with more focus placed on a detailed assessment to be undertaken at the call-off competition stage rather than when potential suppliers apply to be admitted to the DPS; and
- Consequential amendments in light of changes referred to above.
DWP has also extended the anticipated duration of the Test and Learn DPS by an additional two years. The Test and Learn DPS is open ended but now has a nominal end date of 30 September 2026 (which may be extended further). The Test and Learn DPS Contract can be terminated by DWP with twenty (20) Working Days' notice.
This is a Contract Notice for social and specific services in accordance with regulation 75 of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (as amended). DWP established the Test and Learn DPS to procure these activities in in England, Scotland and Wales on 9 November 2018. The DPS is for the procurement of social and other services referred to in Regulation 74 of the Public Contracts Regulations (2015) and as such, the DPS was established using a light touch regime.
This DPS presents opportunities for organisations, with a focus on innovation and local specialist support, to be involved and test the development of new approaches for employment and health related activity. This will be key to building evidence to support the delivery of future provision at both national and local level.
DWP cannot confirm or guarantee any future business through the DPS, but it is anticipated that there will be some limited numbers of proof of concepts / test and learn projects over the duration of the DPS.
The T&L DPS is open ended with a nominal end date of 30 September 2026 (which may be extended further) but can be terminated by the Authority with twenty (20) Working Days' notice.
In line with the original OJEU notice, the expected total value of all call-off contracts under the T&L DPS is approximately £20,000,000.
This DPS will be for the use of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), its Executive Agencies and those Non-Departmental Public Bodies (NDPBs) sponsored by DWP.
Originally Published in OJ / S at on 2018/S 205-468119.
Contract is suitable for SMEs?: Yes
Contract is suitable for VCSEs?: Yes
Links
To summarise, the changes to the Test and Learn DPS Contract are as follows:
- Removal/replacement of certain European Union references;
- Updated security call-off schedule;
- Updated data processing provisions;
- Addition of an optional staff transfer call-off schedule;
- Change in the sequencing of signatures in the call-off award procedure so a buyer (rather than the supplier) will sign a call-off award form second;
- Change in the approach to financial standing assessments with more focus placed on a detailed assessment to be undertaken at the call-off competition stage rather than when potential suppliers apply to be admitted to the DPS; and
- Consequential amendments in light of changes referred to above.
DWP has also extended the anticipated duration of the Test and Learn DPS by an additional two years. The Test and Learn DPS is open ended but now has a nominal end date of 30 September 2026 (which may be extended further). The Test and Learn DPS Contract can be terminated by DWP with twenty (20) Working Days' notice.
This is a Contract Notice for social and specific services in accordance with regulation 75 of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (as amended). DWP established the Test and Learn DPS to procure these activities in in England, Scotland and Wales on 9 November 2018. The DPS is for the procurement of social and other services referred to in Regulation 74 of the Public Contracts Regulations (2015) and as such, the DPS was established using a light touch regime.
This DPS presents opportunities for organisations, with a focus on innovation and local specialist support, to be involved and test the development of new approaches for employment and health related activity. This will be key to building evidence to support the delivery of future provision at both national and local level.
DWP cannot confirm or guarantee any future business through the DPS, but it is anticipated that there will be some limited numbers of proof of concepts / test and learn projects over the duration of the DPS.
The T&L DPS is open ended with a nominal end date of 30 September 2026 (which may be extended further) but can be terminated by the Authority with twenty (20) Working Days' notice.
In line with the original OJEU notice, the expected total value of all call-off contracts under the T&L DPS is approximately £20,000,000.
This DPS will be for the use of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), its Executive Agencies and those Non-Departmental Public Bodies (NDPBs) sponsored by DWP.
Originally Published in OJ / S at on 2018/S 205-468119.
Contract is suitable for SMEs?: Yes
Contract is suitable for VCSEs?: Yes
Links
- https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dwp-test-and-learn-dynamic-purchasing-system-guidance-for-businesses/dwp-test-and-learn-dps-how-to-register-and-apply
- DWP Test and Learn DPS: how to register and apply
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