REQUEST FOR INFORMATION Transformation, Operation and Maintenance of Technical Trainers College Riyadh Closing Date: 15 Dec 2016 This document is available until the closing date
Contents INTRODUCTION:... 2 1. BACKGROUND:... 3 1.1. Present Position:... 3 1.2. Future Plans:... 3 2. THE International TVET provider will be required to carry out the following main activities:... 4 Obtain the Legal Right to Operate in Saudi Arabia:... 4 Maintain Current Programs and Transition Future Provision... 4 Develop CoE s Future Provision and Forward Strategy for the College:... 5 Maintain Operations in Facilities Provided by the Saudi Government:... 5 Recruit and Train High-Quality Staff while Gradually Increasing Saudization:... 5 Student Recruitment:... 6 Carry Out All Required Administrative Functions:... 6 3. QUALITY ASSURANCE:... 6 3.1 External Quality Assurance... 6 3.2 Internal Quality Assurance... 6 4. FUNDING AND INCENTIVES:... 6 4.1 Operational expenditures and profits... 6 4.2 Capital expenditure... 7 4.3 Employer involvement... 7 5. CONTRACT DURATION:... 7 6. TENDER PROCESS:... 7 6.1 Eligibility to bid criteria:... 7 6.2 Overall timeline... 8 6.3 Requirements for submitting an RFI... 8 APPENDIX 1 Notice of Intent... 9 APPENDIX 2 Letter of Information... 10 APPENDIX 3 THE CURRENT BET STUDY PROGRAMME CONSISTS OF FIVE COMPONENTS:... 13 PRELIMINARY AND CONFIDENTIAL Page 1
INTRODUCTION: Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) will play an increasingly important role in the strategy to prepare Saudi youth for entry to the workforce in the upcoming years. In order to support the expansion, quality and scale of the TVET system, the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation (TVTC) and the Human Resources Development Fund (HRDF), have formed a publicly funded private company - Colleges of Excellence (CoE). Colleges of Excellence is seeking to collaborate with a high-quality international training provider to operate and maintain the Technical Trainers College (TTC) in Riyadh and help develop the forward strategy for the institution within the wider TVET objectives. CoE has plans to change the name of the college to reflect the college s future scope of work and provisions. The success of the college is a key priority for CoE and working collaboratively with an international training provider from September 2017 for a period of five years will be based on the following principles: 1) The goal of CoE and the international training provider will be to improve skills, knowledge and competencies of Saudi students leading to meaningful employment in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. 2) CoE is committed to working closely with and supporting the international training provider to successfully reach our mutual goals. Support includes providing information on the labour market in Saudi Arabia, administrative support and ongoing educational advice once the college is operational. 3) CoE will encourage the international training provider to manage educational and financial KPIs by piloting innovation in learning, teaching and assessment programs and dedicating some of their funding to successful outcomes for students. 4) CoE and the international training provider will promote transparency in TVET, reporting outcomes and performance accurately, not only internally, but also to the wider community of students, parents, and employers. 5) CoE and the international training provider will share the respective lessons learned from developing colleges in Saudi Arabia with a mindset of continuous improvement. All responses should be submitted electronically by 23 December 2016, to the following email address: Tendering@coe.com.sa PRELIMINARY AND CONFIDENTIAL Page 2
1. BACKGROUND: The Colleges of Excellence invites potential partners to submit information (RfI) as an expression of interest in the pre-qualification stage of the procurement process to operate the Technical Trainers College (TTC) in Riyadh, which is an existing college within the CoE and TVTC network. This Request for Information (RfI) is part of the process for potential partners to bid for operating and maintaining the college as well as transitioning to the future model. Eligible applicants are invited in this RfI to complete and submit the information requested in (Appendix 1 & 2). The successful bidder will be responsible for the following: 1) Take over and completion of existing commitments to students and staff; 2) Development of the new forward strategy for the college as defined by CoE; 3) Planning for a smooth transition from current TTC programmes to future Applied Engineering provision. 1.1. Present Position: The college currently has a student population of 1158 and approximately 120 staff with plans for further recruitment of approximately 500 new trainees in semester 2 of the academic year 2016/17. The students undertake a three-year Bachelor of Engineering Technology (BET) program that is taught in English language. The curriculum consists of English language, technical subject specialization(s) and vocational pedagogy. TTC Graduates have mainly progressed into employment as technical trainers in TVTC colleges of technology and industrial colleges. The college is in a prime location within central Riyadh and well resourced with spacious buildings and well-equipped workshops. The international training provider will ensure that existing arrangements for enrolled students will continue and successfully complete their studies. 1.2. Future Plans: The CoE s future intention is that in the future the college will deliver three-year bachelor degree level programs in Applied Engineering, a limited number of graduating students will be able to take a teacher-training top-up option. In addition, there will be opportunities to develop Continuous Professional Development (CPD) and up-skilling programs for existing vocational trainers at CoE/TVTC colleges as well as cooperation with these colleges for teaching practice. The college will be required to ensure most, if not all, graduating students progress to employment opportunities. PRELIMINARY AND CONFIDENTIAL Page 3
2. THE International TVET provider will be required to carry out the following main activities: Obtain the legal right to operate in Saudi Arabia Maintain the current provision and programs to selected exit points Develop CoE s future provision and forward strategy for the college Prepare for transition from current to future provision Deliver training and education services to students to high standards as required for the approved qualifications and programmes Maintain operations in facilities provided by the Saudi government Recruit and train high-quality staff while increasing Saudization over time Identify, enroll, and train students Co-ordinate college marketing activities with CoE Carry out all required administrative functions, demonstrating full compliance with the Kingdom s regulations, customs, and social norms Report student outcomes/kpis and key financial information Comply with quality assurance requirements defined by agreed accreditation entities. Obtain the Legal Right to Operate in Saudi Arabia: It is the responsibility of the training provider to conduct all required procedures to ensure they can legally operate in Saudi Arabia, providing training and employing staff. CoE acknowledges that some applicants may not be familiar with setting up legal entities in Saudi Arabia; therefore, CoE can provide details on incorporating a company to the selected training provider. Note that this information by no means represents legal advice. CoE strongly encourages each Applicant to retain independent legal counsel when considering the incorporation process. CoE expects all bidders that do not have an incorporated company in Saudi Arabia to submit applications for establishing a LLC. Maintain Current Programs and Transition Future Provision The college currently offers a Bachelor program (60% theoretical and 40% practical) with specializations, leading to a Bachelor of Engineering Technology (BET) which equates to Level 6 European Qualification (EQF). The programme spans over 4 years within which 240 ECTS are awarded. The applicants must have successfully completed a secondary school and a two-year Diploma programme at one of the post-secondary colleges of technology in KSA. The programme is taught in English Language and trainees are expected to have a solid foundation in English Language prior to being admitted onto the programme. In accordance with European regulations for recognition of prior learning, the college recognizes the two-year diploma-training course (60 ECTS points) thus reducing the time spent at the college to 3 years. On-the-job training (OJT) is a critical component of the programme and the CoE request OJT to be delivered through placement with a sponsor employer after successful completion of studies. PRELIMINARY AND CONFIDENTIAL Page 4
The current BET is accredited by the Central Evaluation and Accreditation Agency Hanover, Germany (ZEvA), the accreditation expires at the end of the summer term 2017 and the process of re-accreditation is underway for the existing programme and the new Applied Engineering programmes. In addition to delivering high-quality technical and vocational education, the training provider will be strongly encouraged to offer additional alternative and innovative training models, such as evening courses, electronic courses and paid training services to employers. The last intake of trainees was in November 2015, and are due to graduate in fall 2018. The college is planning to open the recruitment in February 2017 for a further intake of students. (Appendix 3) provides detailed information of the existing specialisms and enrolment numbers. Develop CoE s Future Provision and Forward Strategy for the College: The college is required to provide a 3-year Applied Engineering degree level programs (or recognized equivalent EQF Level 6) with associated institutional international accreditation as a prerequisite requirement to deliver future programs. TVTC and the National Centre for Evaluation and Professional Accreditation (NCEPA) endorsement will be required to ensure parity and equivalent recognition within KSA. A range of applied engineering sub-specialization subjects determined according to employer need and labour market demand will be offered and agreed with CoE. The college will be expected to operate at full capacity which is currently 2000 places including allowance for students on external work and OJT placement in excess of 30%. The college will be expected to develop a Continuous & Further Training Programmes, e.g. bespoke short courses that are built on the various specializations offered at the college. In particular, curricula oriented focusing towards production and management tasks and duties in the private sector guarantee custom-tailored answers to demands emerging. This close partnership will eventually help the college to set up and establish an Entrepreneurship Centre Business Incubators. A limited number of graduating students will be able to take a teacher-training topup option. Maintain Operations in Facilities Provided by the Saudi Government: The training provider will be solely responsible for maintaining the college premises to a high standard, which will be leased from CoE at zero cost. The provider will procure all utilities and services required for the operation and maintenance of the college. Recruit and Train High-Quality Staff while Gradually Increasing Saudization: All College staff, teaching and non-teaching will be employees of the training provider, not of CoE. All trainers should meet the same high standards for relevant industry experience and pedagogical skills that are required from trainers at their PRELIMINARY AND CONFIDENTIAL Page 5
home campuses. It is a condition of the current accreditation body that the training provider must employ (or retain) a significant percentage of PhD holders. Student Recruitment: The college may have up to two admission periods per year based on the timeline and guidelines set out by CoE. National marketing and rebranding of technical vocational education and training (TVET) is ongoing throughout the Kingdom to promote and attract young Saudis, to vocational education. However, college marketing and recruitment activities are the responsibility of the training provider. Carry Out All Required Administrative Functions: The training provider will operate all other functions they deem necessary to operate the college, which may include, but are not limited to janitorial, secretarial, financial, IT, catering, security, maintenance, cleaning, human resources, and procurement. All administrative staff will be hired and trained directly by the training provider, and is expected to set up performance management processes (including data management) for its staff and quality assurance measures to ensure the overall success of the college. 3. QUALITY ASSURANCE: 3.1 External Quality Assurance The training provider will be required to comply with the accreditation bodies (including higher education institutions) and expect inspections by the respective quality assurance body/regulators within KSA. 3.2 Internal Quality Assurance The training provider will be responsible for conducting all internal quality assurance processes deemed necessary to ensure high quality provision. This includes a comprehensive self-assessment and quality improvement process. Compliance with quality and performance Key Performance Indicators identified in the contract with CoE is expected and to be monitored by CoE and designated third parties. 4. FUNDING AND INCENTIVES: 4.1 Operational expenditures and profits Bringing in the highest quality-training providers to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a key priority of CoE. The college s funding will depend on certain KPIs such as full student status, enrolment, attendance, assessment pass rates as well as performance output incentives that based on employment rates (such as the percentage of graduates in employment). PRELIMINARY AND CONFIDENTIAL Page 6
4.2 Capital expenditure The college infrastructure has already been set up, all workshops and classes are equipped and sufficient to deliver the existing Bachelor programmes. Future investment will be required to meet the requirements of future provisions. 4.3 Employer involvement Providers will naturally seek to develop close links with local employers in Saudi Arabia to ensure that their curricula are appropriate, courses contain a significant proportion of on-the-job training, and that faculty fully understand the environment for which they are preparing students. To help achieve this aim, CoE will actively support providers in developing close links with Saudi employers. Contractual conditions will ensure employer representation on the boards of colleges. Employer involvement will also be among the criteria by which the CoE/designated third parties will assess quality. 5. CONTRACT DURATION: CoE is seeking long-term partners. Contracts between CoE and training providers will cover management and operations of the college for five years, with continuous options for renewal and continuation. 6. TENDER PROCESS: 6.1 Eligibility to bid criteria: Minimum of five years of operations Public or private organizations, which is fully accredited in the respective home country Currently delivering training to at least 3,000 full-time students in the field of technical and vocational education and training in the areas relevant to CoE Ability to demonstrate high quality of student outcomes while also ensuring competitive expenditures Sound financial standing as demonstrated by audited financial statements (to be submitted in the RfP) Experience in delivering Bachelor Degree programmes in Engineering Previous experience in setting up and running operations in foreign countries is preferred, but not required to be eligible to apply for the tender. PRELIMINARY AND CONFIDENTIAL Page 7
6.2 Overall timeline No. Step Description Date 1 Issuance of RFI The date that the RFI is issues by CoE 15-12-2016 2 Notice of intent to bid Intention of interest by email (APPENDEX1) 2-1-2017 & Questions via email 3 Conference Call The conference call date 3-1-2017 4 Letter of Information submission deadline The due date for CoE to receive Letter of Information from bidders (APPENDEX 2) 9-1-2017 6.3 Requirements for submitting an RFI Intention of interest should be submitted electronically along with the form in (APPENDEX 1), to tendering@coe.com.sa. Letters of Information should be submitted electronically along with the form in (APPENDEX 2) to tendering@coe.com.sa by 4.00 pm on 9 January 2017. The Letters of Information should not exceed 5 pages, excluding any appendices that may be included. Documentation to be provided as part of the Letter of Information should be included in PDF format. PRELIMINARY AND CONFIDENTIAL Page 8
APPENDIX 1 Notice of Intent Basic Information Name of Provider: Private: Public: Name of regulator: Number of years of operation: Current student number globally enrolled in the field of Applied Engineering: Number of Lecturers employed globally: Contact information: Website: PRELIMINARY AND CONFIDENTIAL Page 9
APPENDIX 2 Letter of Information Basic Information Name of Provider: Private: Public: Name of regulator: Number of years of operation: Current student number globally enrolled in the field of Applied Engineering: Number of Lecturers employed globally: Contact information: Website: Evidence of best practice operation, i.e. average student outcomes, attrition rates from enrolment until graduation; accreditation and inspection ratings; standards and activities to ensure trainer quality) please provide specific facts rather than high-level statements PRELIMINARY AND CONFIDENTIAL Page 10
International Experience: Countries of operations of educational institutions: Number of colleges in non-home country with total student numbers: Your experience in the MENA region: PRELIMINARY AND CONFIDENTIAL Page 11
Teacher/trainer qualifications (i.e. average years of experience, qualifications, accreditations, international experience, language skills, etc.) please provide specific facts rather than high-level statements Source of distinctiveness (i.e. innovative training approaches; private sector support, on-the-job training, etc.) please provide specific facts rather than high-level statements Financial soundness (i.e. annual revenue, overall debt, debt to equity ratio) PRELIMINARY AND CONFIDENTIAL Page 12
APPENDIX 3 THE CURRENT BET STUDY PROGRAMME CONSISTS OF FIVE COMPONENTS: 1. Technical Subjects 2. General, Technical and Business English 3. Vocational Pedagogy 4. Islamic Studies (Mandatory) 5. Company Field Practice OJT (Mandatory) The vocational specialisms at the college are based on extensive market research that are consistent with the requirements of the employer needs in KSA. The Bachelor of Technology study programme consists of ten vocational strands: 1. Electrical Machines 2. Electrical Power 3. Electronics 4. Application Development 5. Telecommunication 6. Network & System Administration 7. Production Technology 8. Refrigeration and Air Conditioning 9. Automotive Engineering 10. Business Administration and Management The training provider is invited to suggest refinements to programs over time as they become more established in their local community; however must retain the mandatory element. The tables below show the current enrolment numbers at the college: Department Students Business Administration and Management 141 Electronics and Electrical Technology 381 Information and Communication Technology 330 Mechanical Technology 306 Grand Total 1158 PRELIMINARY AND CONFIDENTIAL Page 13
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