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<p>The first year of the Turing Scheme is currently being delivered by the British
Council and Ecorys under contractual arrangements that expire on 31 March 2022. A
competitive procurement exercise was necessary to appoint a delivery partner for the
remainder of the first year and for the second year of the programme. Capita has been
appointed as the supplier to administer the completion of the first year of the Turing
Scheme from April 2022 and the second year of the scheme until December 2023.</p><p>Bids
for the Turing Scheme contract were evaluated on the answers to questions relating
to quality and social value, compliance with a range of financial and corporate information
tests, and cost. Bids were reviewed by a panel with knowledge relevant to the services
required. Scores were moderated and weighted in line with the published evaluation
model. The outcome of the panel review was taken to the Turing Scheme Procurement
Board, and they approved the recommended outcome. Capita received the highest overall
score and provided the best plan to continue opportunities for students to study and
work abroad.</p><p>The costs for delivery of the contract have been agreed between
Capita and the department. The use of continuous improvement is for the purpose of
looking at how services can be improved without undermining Capita’s performance of
the contract. It is common practice to consider how service improvements can improve
service delivery efficiencies and where there are cost benefits of doing so, value
for money will always be evaluated.</p><p>The department is currently working closely
with the British Council, Ecorys and Capita to transfer all existing Turing Scheme
projects granted funding and minimise any potential impact to the delivery of the
first year of the programme. Until 1 April 2022, the British Council and Ecorys will
continue to administer the scheme and will provide ongoing support for activities.</p><p>Beneficiaries
will be contacted directly about next steps regarding ongoing support of their activities
and should continue to communicate through the sector-specific helpdesk service if
guidance or assistance is required.</p><p>We are confident that Capita have the capacity
and skills to deliver the Turing Scheme. They have more than 35 years’ experience
of supporting more than 180 local authorities and 21,000 schools, as well as being
one of the largest IT providers to the UK education system. They will combine their
capabilities in digital grants management, education, and complex programme management
to deliver opportunities for students to study and work abroad.</p><p>In addition
to preparations to transfer delivery of the first year of the Turing Scheme, the department
is in continuous contact with Capita to plan for and receive updates on preparations
for a successful launch of bids for the second year. I also personally met with Capita
on Thursday 27 January, and they have assured me they are well prepared to administer
the programme.</p><p>For the evaluation of the first year of the Turing Scheme, the
department appointed IFF Research as its evaluation partner on 18 November 2021. Information
regarding the appointment is available on the contracts finder service on GOV.UK at:
<a href="https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/e4fc6e5f-13d3-4d01-a815-27a18ebe6a88"
target="_blank">https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/e4fc6e5f-13d3-4d01-a815-27a18ebe6a88</a>.</p><p>In
response to the buyer’s research board, the evaluation process and the data which
will be required to support it has been approved by the research board and by the
data protection team. The individual members of the research board are subject to
data protection legislation and as such individual names cannot be released.</p>
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