Sub Contracting

Welcome to this new part of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) website which is aimed primarily at sub contracting.

Latest Updates

For the attention of existing and potential new DWP prime contractors.

Events

DWP and the Office of the Third Sector hosted two sub contractor events on the 8 September in Newcastle and 9 September in London.

Presentation from the day (823KB) .

DWP responses to thoughts and suggestions raised at these events (32KB) .

Standard Information Sharing Form

DWP has produced a standard information sharing form which could be used for communications with prime providers should you want to get involved in various bidding opportunities. This proforma is designed as an initial Expression of Interest and that of course potential prime contractors may well require more detailed information in due course. DWP is not responsible for any information provided nor does it endorse or make recommendations about any organisations using this form. Use of this form is entirely optional.

Standard Information Sharing Form

Please do not send completed forms to DWP. This form is designed to be used as an initial expression of interest to work with a potential prime contractor for specific competitions. Contact details for relevant potential Prime Contractors will be included on the relevant pages for each competition on the Supplying DWP website.

Special Purpose Vehicles

DWP recognise that organisations may wish to work together to have their collective resources considered as prime contractors. This can be achieved by setting up a new legal entity known as a “Special Purpose Vehicle” (17KB)

Code of Conduct/Merlin

The Government made the commitment to the development of healthy high performing supply chains when it published the DWP Commissioning Strategy in February 2008. The Strategy set out a new way of working with providers, offering larger and longer contracts with more outcome-based funding, giving providers more opportunity to invest in the development of their staff and the infrastructure of their organisations. The DWP Code of Conduct was published with the Strategy, recognising that a framework was needed to help support future healthy working relationships between prime and sub-contractors, and to help ensure all providers act with integrity.

The Merlin Standard is being designed with providers and representative bodies to help evolve successful, high performing supply chains, and champion positive behaviours and relationships. The development of the Standard responds directly to concerns raised by providers, especially those not operating as prime contractors, around potential unfair treatment within supply chains.

It has been proposed that a two year pilot of the 'Merlin Standard' should be developed to produce an industry supported accreditation process specifically designed to address the DWP Code of Conduct, taking into account and dovetailing with existing standards and internal processes.

The first draft version of the Merlin Standard is now available for pilot. Working with Carley Consult, the pilot activity will involve trial first phase assessments of fND Phase 1 prime providers against the Standard, and this is expected to take place in March 2010. The results will be used purely to support the pilot, and will not be made public.

This initial assessment testing will be the first of a number of stages of direct involvement with Primes and their supply chain partners.

Initial draft guidance which will support the Merlin assessment process .

Presentation from the Provider Workshops held in February (4.8MB)

Further information on the development of Merlin will be posted on a regular basis.

If you have any feedback on the Standard, or any specific questions regarding the pilot, please email us at  merlin.feedback@dwp.gov.uk.

• Merlin Advisory Group Terms of Reference (24KB)
• Minutes from the Advisory Group meeting held on 30th November 2009 (39KB)
• Minutes from the Working Group/Advisory Group meetings held on 7th & 8th July 2009 (36KB)

Links

Office of the Third Sector - As part of the Cabinet Office, the Office of the Third Sector leads work across government to support the environment for a thriving third sector.