URL: https://councillors.knowsley.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=8141

Decision Maker: Executive Director Resources And Partnerships (Stephan Van Arendsen) and the Head Of Workforce (Becky Challinor)

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose: The purpose of this report is to seek permission, in accordance with Contract Procedure Rule 9.2.2 (e)) for an exemption from Contract Procedure Rule 6, to award a contract without competition* to Learning Pool [for the procurement of content and licenses for E-Learning Packages.   This exemption is justified as the requirements of Contract Procedure Rule 9.2.2 (e) are met as follows:   e.       Any other exceptional circumstances.   The following circumstances are considered exceptional justifying the awarding of a contract without competition.  Whilst other suppliers can provide similar products, Learning Pool is the only provider who can provide the number of courses/catalogues, with the variety of subject matters, the e-learning authoring tool and the practicality of using our own LMS (Learning Management System) compliant with the content i.e. SCORM 1.2/2004 files

Content: The purpose of this report is to seek permission, in accordance with Contract Procedure Rule 9.2.2 (e)) for an exemption from Contract Procedure Rule 6, to award a contract without competition* to Learning Pool [for the procurement of content and licenses for E-Learning Packages.   This exemption is justified as the requirements of Contract Procedure Rule 9.2.2 (e) are met as follows:   e.       Any other exceptional circumstances.   The following circumstances are considered exceptional justifying the awarding of a contract without competition.  Whilst other suppliers can provide similar products, Learning Pool is the only provider who can provide the number of courses/catalogues, with the variety of subject matters, the e-learning authoring tool and the practicality of using our own LMS (Learning Management System) compliant with the content i.e. SCORM 1.2/2004 files By Executive Director (Resources and Partnerships):   (i)        That an exemption from Contract Procedure Rule 6be granted, in accordance with Contract Procedure Rule 9.2.2(e), to permit the award of acontract without competition for the procurement of content and licenses for e-learning packages.   By Head of Workforce:   (i)         That a contract be awarded without competition* to Learning Pool for the provision of content and licenses for authoring tools for e-learning packages from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2029 with the option to extend the contract for two further 12-month periods to 31st March 2031; and   (ii)     That the Procurement Team be authorised to make the necessary arrangements for the issue of the relevant contract documentation.   Do Nothing: This option was considered and rejected This option was considered and rejected because the Service would become out of contract with the current supplier and would lose access to a tailored suite of packages that have been built up over the previous 15 years. This option would create significant legal risk, as many of the training courses available via the system are legal requirements.   Deliver in house: This option was considered and rejected due to the expense of procuring an E-Learning Authoring tool and building all subsequent e-learning packages in addition to the resource required to do this.   Seek Competition (Quotation / Tender): Initial benchmarking was completed but it was deemed this option would not be considered as there are currently no other suppliers that would be able to supply the current suite of packages which Knowsley Council utilise as well as authoring tool and the bespoke courses that have been built up over a number of years to meet particular needs.  As we currently use Oracle HCM as our Learning Management system, the compatibility with current Oracle HCM (26A) is not compliant with majority of the providers delivery methods i.e. SCORM connectors and cannot be used within the system.  The use of SCORM connectors also means additional costs for authoring copyrighted e-learning modules provided by alternative providers.  As part of the existing contract with Learning Pool we are allowed full access to all catalogues and able to include Knowsley details, links etc, with no additional cost. Given the needs of the organisation, the most suitable provider available at present is Learning Pool.    Award via a Framework - Whilst there is a potential route to market via agreement of a four-year maximum contract to Learning Pool available via the Crown Commercial Services G-Cloud 14 Framework, this option has been considered and rejected.  This is because Learning Pool have agreed to a fixed price for the next three years (with a fixed price for two further potential 12-month extensions).  In addition, with the proposed agreement with Learning Pool to cover a period up to a total of five years, this will continue to grant Knowsley unlimited access to all e-learning packages at no additional cost.  

Date of Decision: April 30, 2026