Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS) Passport Scheme

Description

This notice is to alert the supplier community to a potential opportunity, and to assist the Security Industry Authority (SIA) with developing aspects of its procurement strategy. The SIA is reviewing possible options for its Approved Contractor Scheme passport route which is subject to the Concession Regulations 2016. The SIA is responsible for regulating the private security industry in the UK. It is an independent body reporting to the Home Secretary, under the terms of the Private Security Industry Act 2001 (PSIA). The SIA’s mission is to deliver proportionate regulation to the private security industry to reduce criminality, protect the public and improve standards under the PSIA. The SIA has two main duties. One is the compulsory licensing of individuals undertaking designated activities within the private security industry; the other is to manage the voluntary approved contracts scheme for private security organisations. The Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS) is one of the regulatory objectives to be delivered by the SIA as defined within the Private Security Act 2001. ACS is a voluntary scheme of approval for private security businesses operating within the UK. Organisations seeking approval need to be delivering private security related services within the sectors that the SIA licence individuals in. Please see details of what a passport scheme is here Setting up an ACS passport scheme - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) Lot 1: Firstly, to be eligible to bid for a passport contract suppliers will need to have created a bespoke passport scheme prior to bidding. That bespoke scheme needs to comply with the bullets below: • integrates international, British and other industry standards with the ACS standard. • recognises other accreditation or certification schemes. • is accredited by the SIA and quality assured by a UKAS accredited assessment body. Please see details of what a passport scheme is here Setting up an ACS passport scheme - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) This process can take up to one year and with significant costs. Please note that setting up a passport scheme does not guarantee a contract will be awarded to your organisation. Secondly, once suppliers’ schemes are reviewed and approved by the SIA, they would then be eligible to bid for the passport scheme once it is advertised. The estimated contract length for successful suppliers would be 2 years maximum. This exercise is designed to provide a platform for the SIA to brief suppliers on the opportunity. A key ambition of this market engagement is to test the appetite, market capacity, capability, experience, and maturity to be able to provide this service. Any parties interested in expressing an interest in this opportunity are required to register by emailing sia.procurement@sia.gov.uk and providing details of your organisation and key contact details.