Management Consultancy Framework Four (MCF4)
Crown Commercial Service has released a tender for the latest update of the Management Consultancy Framework Four (MCF4). It was released on Friday the 8th of November and the deadline is 9 January 2025.
Our team is ready to assist including over the holiday break. The MCF4 Framework is a substantial opportunity released by CCS and our bid writers have strong experience writing Framework Submissions to CCS.
The Management Consultancy Framework 4 (MCF4) covers the provision of management consultancy services. This includes a broad range of specialities including business, policy, infrastructure, procurement, health and social care.
The Management Consultancy Framework has had a number of iterations and the MCF4 is the fourth iteration that has been put in place to ensure the relevant government agencies continue to get cost effective advice. For incumbent providers, this is a critical must-win opportunity to be re-appointed to the framework and continue to receive a critical revenue stream. For other consultancies that are not currently appointed, the MCF4 iteration represents an excellent opportunity to drive revenue growth in the government sector.
Either way the opportunities and benefits to suppliers are significant and include:
- Access to a broad range of public sector clients with significant expenditure
- An easier and more streamlined procurement process for services and works once you are appointed to the framework
Who utilises the MCF4 framework?
The Management Consultancy Framework is utilised by a broad range of central government departments, other public sector bodies, as well as education institutions, charities and other semi-government organisations. They all take advantage of the benefits it offers including:
- A large range of suppliers of all shapes and sizes. This includes SMEs and multinationals – making it a great opportunity for businesses of all sizes to apply for the Framework and secure government work.
- All the suppliers sign up to standard, pre-approved, terms and conditions and they are all Cyber Essentials accredited. This is important to note if you are submitting for the framework, that you need to arrange Cyber Essentials accreditation and also that there is limited scope for amending the terms and conditions.
- The broad range of different pricing options on offer.
What are the different lots of the MCF4?
There are a number of different lots in MCF4 which businesses of different shapes and sizes may look to bid for. These include Lots for Business, Strategy and Policy, Complex and Transformation, Finance, HR, Procurement and Supply Chain, Health, Social Care and Local Community, Infrastructure, Environmental and Sustainability and Restructuring and Insolvency.
Meeting the mandatory requirements to bid for the CCS MCF4 Framework
In order to have a chance at being awarded the MCF4 Framework, you will need to provide the following / comply with the following in your submission:
- A Cyber Essentials Certificate – our team can assist with this.
- A Carbon Reduction Plan – this covers your Net Zero commitment and is something you will require for many framework submissions not just to CCS.
- COTPA Certificates
- Complete a financial viability risk assessment and meet the gold standard
- A modern Slavery Statement – again something our team can develop for you.
Writing a quality Social Value response to CCS for the MCF4 Framework
Another key area which is weighed heavily by the scoring panel and an area that our bid writers excel in writing responses for is Social Value. When responding to Social Value questions for the framework, you need to provide measurable solutions and initiatives that you can report on. Themes that need to be covered include:
- Covid 19 Recovery
- Economy inequality
- Driving economic and social benefits to disadvantaged groups
- Supporting the fight against climate change
- Supporting social causes and promoting equal opportunity.
More information on how to respond to Social Value questions is provided here.
Public organisations that engage suppliers through the CCS management consultancy framework four will want to know that in addition to engaging with a range of cost-effective consultancies, the downstream economic benefits of their expenditure will flow through the local communities.
Our strategies for writing successful Management Consultancy tenders for Frameworks such as the CCS MCF4 Framework
Over the years, we have written a broad range of bids to management consultancies focused on all sectors and disciplines. Strategies our bid writers will employ when assisting you w
ith you MCF4 Framework tender (or you may employ) include:
- Ensuring compliance with the Framework: If you want to win a CCS Tender you need to comply with every requirement. They work off a pass/fail system and are quick to disregard and not consider any non-compliant bids.
- Read through the lines of the evaluation criteria: This is critical as you need to design your bid and application to appeal to the needs and requirements of CCS and the procurement team. Develop a gut-feeling of what they are looking for and look deep into the questions to try to understand what challenges they are facing. Ensure you address all aspects of the scope of works and the evaluation criteria.
- Write clearly and concisely: The reality is many of the evaluators will not understand your specific area of expertise or any technical terminology you use. You need to write in simple, easy to understand sentences.
- Always provide evidence and proof: Many business make different claims in their applications and they can essentially write whatever they want. CCS evaluators are somewhat sceptical and like to see proof. It’s important to provide evidence throughout your bids.
- Ensure you edit and proof read your bid.
- Showcase your expertise and experience – and present a team with the right depth of resources. It’s important to talk about the speciality of your team and showcase your expertise. Look at this from the eyes of the buyer.
Engaging Tsaks Consulting to help you write your Management Consultancy Framework 4 Application
Our team of experience bid and tender writers are able to provide support for your application. Enquiry with to our team today about how we can assist you to write your framework application. We have extensive experience writing Crown Commercial Services applications – with additional information available here.