Cash First Learning and Evaluation

Concepts

• edinburgh
• research services
• cash
• cash first learning
• the programme evaluation
• first
• cash-first activities
• cash-first programme
• cash-first interventions
• learning

Location

Edinburgh

Description

The Scottish Government wants to work with local partners towards our shared ambition of ending the need for food banks in Scotland, as set out in our recently published Cash-First Plan. Our two-year Cash-First Programme (‘the Programme’) will provide funding and practical assistance for up to eight local Partnerships to collaborate and deliver activities that improve urgent access to cash in a crisis, generating evidence that can be shared to inform future policy and practice. The Scottish Government intends to utilise a lotted approach. Splitting this requirement into two lots, whilst limiting suppliers to only tender for one lot to ensure the integrity of the lots, specifically lot two relating to the Independent Evaluation. The Scottish Government is seeking to procure the services of a Learning Partner for this Programme. The Learning Partner will provide each Partnership with advice to inform and refine their approach and will facilitate peer-learning across the Partnership cohort. The overall aim of the role is to establish an enabling environment for cash-first activities and to provide the Scottish Government with timely, robust information on the Programme. The Scottish Government is seeking to procure the services of an organisation to undertake an independent evaluation of this Programme. The Evaluator will assess the implementation of cash-first activities by Partnerships, the role of the Learning Partner, and the impact of the Programme as a whole.

Total Quantity or Scope

This specification sets out what is required, provides background information on the Programme and further outlines the rationale for the procurement. The specification makes suggestions on method, but bidders are encouraged to propose alternative methods for carrying out this work within the available budget and timescale. The Scottish Government is also seeking to appoint an organisation to undertake an independent evaluation of the Programme. The evaluation services required are set out in the ‘Schedule 1B - Lot 2 - Specification’ document. Tenderers should submit bids for lot 1 or lot 2 only, to maintain the independence of the evaluation. It should be noted that successful bidders across the two contracts will be expected to share some data and resources in order to effectively fulfil the Programme objectives. Specifically, the Learning Partner will be expected to contribute to the development of the evaluation framework, develop a joint Data Sharing Agreement and regularly provide evidence on the activities delivered to the evaluation team, and to engage in research conducted by the Evaluator. The specific remit of the Learning Partner is to provide advice and facilitate learning that helps to maximise the effectiveness of cash-first interventions. The activities and approach to this work are detailed below: Role: to drive improvement by (1) providing tailored advice to each Partnership (2) delivering a series of peer-learning events between the Partnership cohort, and (3) gathering evidence for the Programme evaluation.

Award Detail

Award Criteria

CPV Codes

• 73110000 - Research services

Indicators

• Award on basis of price.

Other Information

(SC Ref:752496)