Global Talent Visa – Digital Technology Endorsing Body Services

Concepts

• business analysis
• consultancy services
• uk visas
• global talent visa
• global talent
• digital technology
• global talent visa – digital technology endorsing body services
• endorsing body service
• endorsing body
• global leaders

Location

London

Description

The Home Office plans to procure an Endorsing Body Service for persons applying through the Digital Technology route of the Global Talent Visa to assess their credibility for set criteria. The Global Talent visa was introduced in February 2020 to replace the Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) visa and make the process smoother, efficient, and more attractive for exceptionally talented people to live and work in the UK. The content of this PIN, including the nature of services and estimated value, may be subject to change.

Total Quantity or Scope

Background Information The Secretary of State for the Home Department as part of the Crown, acting through UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) (the “Home Office”), is procuring an Endorsing Body Service for the Digital Technology pathway of the Global Talent Visa. UKVI is a department within the Home Office and has customers in the UK and outside of the UK who include but are not limited to: • those seeking to extend permissions to work or study in the UK; • those seeking to extend permissions to stay or settle with family in the UK; • those progressing from earlier immigration permissions to British nationality The UK has replaced freedom of movement with a comprehensive points-based immigration system that ensures we continue to be global leaders, supporting UK employers in taking advantage of the opportunities now open to them by recruiting the best and brightest global talent from around the world. UKVI is responsible for making millions of decisions every year about who has the right to visit or stay in the country, with a firm emphasis on national security and a culture of customer satisfaction for people who come to the UK legally. The Home Office’s vision is to have a world-leading immigration service working for a safe and prosperous UK. To that end, two key missions are to deliver world-class customer service and to control migration. The Buyer’s challenge is to transform services in a way that enhances customer experience and UK border security. The Global Talent Visa is an enabler of this immigration policy. It was introduced in February 2020 to replace the Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) visa and make the process smoother, efficient, and more attractive for exceptionally talented people to live and work in the UK. To qualify under the Global Talent Visa category, most applicants (excluding those that have prestigious prizes) need to be endorsed by a relevant Endorsing Body. The Endorsing Body is responsible for assessing whether an individual is internationally recognised as, or has demonstrated the potential to become, a leader in digital technology, for example in: • financial technology (‘fintech’) • gaming • cyber security • artificial intelligence The Global Talent Visa application process requires individuals to make their endorsement application direct to the Home Office. This includes paying the fee and submitting information and evidence linked to their claim of exceptional talent or promise. The Home Office then send all relevant information to the Endorsing Body. Although the endorsement application is submitted to the Home Office, the endorsing body carry out the assessment without involvement from the Home Office. If the endorsing body is satisfied that an individual is of sufficient calibre to receive endorsement, applicants are able to apply to the Home Office for a Global Talent Visa. The endorsing body is not involved in the visa part of the assessment. Endorsing bodies also work with the Home Office to formulate, agree, publish and apply the criteria that applicants are required to meet to be considered as “exceptionally talented” or as demonstrating “exceptional promise” in the digital technology field. Due to the nature of the service, it is necessary for the Endorsing Body to be a leading expert in the Digital Technology industry. Currently around 4,000 customers apply for endorsement per annum from across the UK and the rest of the world. Additional information on the visa can be found here: Work in the UK as a leader in digital technology (Global Talent visa) : Overview – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

CPV Codes

• 72221000 - Business analysis consultancy services
• 75131000 - Government services

Indicators

Other Information

Market Engagement Prior to the procurement the Home Office will run a market testing exercise to seek input from the market to understand supplier / market appetite, capacity and capability, along with an understanding of potential risks and opportunities. UKVI are seeking input from the market to establish the most attractive way of packaging and scoping the procurement for Digital Endorsing Body services that ensures the service is delivered by experts in the field with the highest levels of integrity and customer satisfaction. The Home Office’s intention is to conduct an Open Procedure competition to identify a partner to fulfil this service. The process is expected to run from summer of 2024, which may be subject to change. We may choose to conduct a second round of market engagement focused on building a more detailed view of the market (participants may be asked to sign and return an NDA to participate). If deemed appropriate/necessary, we may also choose to hold a virtual supplier briefing session to engage with prospective bidders and provide further information. In the event a virtual supplier briefing session is held, this notice will be updated and RFI respondents will be made aware of the details to participate. 1st Round: Request For Information (RFI) Following the publication of this PIN, there will be an RFI questionnaire requesting data and insight to support this procurement. To participate in the initial RFI, participants will not be required to sign and return a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA). The Home Office does not expect suppliers to share commercially sensitive or confidential information in this RFI stage. The RFI will be managed electronically via the Home Office’s eSourcing Portal (Jaggaer). To participate in this procurement, participants must be registered on the eSourcing Portal and provide a contact name and email address to receive the RFI. If you have not registered on the eSourcing Portal, this can be done at https://homeoffice.app.jaggaer.com by following the link ‘To register click here’. Please note that you must have a valid DUNS number (as provided by Dun and Bradstreet) for the organisation which you are registering, who will be entering into a contract if invited to do so. Once you have registered on the eSourcing Portal, access to the RFI will be provided. 2nd Round: RFI We may choose to conduct a second round of the RFI process focused on building a more detailed view of the market (participants may be asked to sign and return an NDA in order to participate). Interested participants will be notified in advance of any subsequent RFI, and access to the NDA can be then requested by emailing GTVDigitalEB@homeoffice.gov.uk. Your email must clearly state the exact name that you used to register on Jaggaer. Once enabled by the Buyer you should receive a link to the NDA from Jaggaer. Once you have submitted an NDA you will be given access to complete the RFI on the Jaggaer portal. We will endeavour to process requests to take part in the RFI and receive an NDA in two working days. We will endeavour to process completed NDAs and allow access to the RFI in two working days. For technical assistance on use of the eSourcing Portal please contact the Jaggaer Supplier Helpdesk at customersupport@jaggaer.com or 0800 069 8630 (0800 - 1800hrs). Timetable These dates and times may be updated, with messages noting any changes provided via the Home Office Jaggaer eSourcing Tool. • Publication on the PIN - 07/12/23 • Suppliers registration on Jaggaer - 07/12/23 • Suppliers sign and return an NDA - N/A • Suppliers receive access to RFI - Once registered • Suppliers register for Virtual Supplier Briefing session - TBC • Clarification Questions start - 07/12/23 • Virtual Supplier Briefing session - TBC • Final date for Clarification Questions to be received 12pm on - 15/12/23 • Target Date Final Q&A Log published - 18/12/23 • RFI responses deadline 17:00 GMT - 21/12/23