HE in FE: Frequently Asked Questions
Bidding
Q: What is JISC's view on recruiting staff vs. buying out staff time?
A: We would encourage the buying out of staff time rather than recruiting, as upskilling within the institution and capacity building is one of the benefits of JISC work. Although you need to ensure that that staff member does actually have enough time bought out to deliver the work required. Buying out of existing staff time can also help with sustainability in that the skills are more likely to remain within the institution. But if institutions do recruit, staff are more likely to be retained if the project fits closely to institutional strategy.
Q: If you submit a bid for 03/06 can you resubmit it?
A: Yes, if it is edited so that it meets the criteria of the new circular. We would suggest that you take account of any feedback received.
Q: Would the project manager need to be in the lead institution?
A: Yes, unless there was an exceptional reason why not.
Q: Does our HEI need to give us a letter of support even though we don't want them 'involved' in the project?
A: Yes. It is likely that the HEI would have some involvement as they validate the course.
Q: Do project partners have to be in the same region?
A: No.
Q: How do you find a partner?
A: Existing partnerships work best but if you are looking for new partners it would be worth contacting the RSC in the first instance.
Q: What can the RSC's offer in terms of support for the bidding process?
A: The RSC's could act as a focal point to co-ordinate ideas for bids where colleges are interested in finding out about what other colleges in the area are planning. Colleges could contact them with ideas and the RSC could broker relationships. They might also offer support on bid writing.
Q: What criteria will JISC use to evaluate value for money?
A: We're not just looking for cheapness; we are looking for what the likely impact of the project might be for the money asked for. More specifically we'll evaluate this on the value of the expected project outcomes vis-à-vis the level of funding requested, institutional contributions, taking into account the level of innovation, chance of success and relevance to the target communities.
Q: What are you looking for in a good bid?
A: There is information on this on the slides from the workshops around bid writing hints, but as a general guide bids need to be able to demonstrate that the project is building on previous technologies/work, with realistic and tangible outputs and benefits, realistic costings, and evidence that the work fits with institutional strategy and will be embedded in the institution(s), with a clear plan for sustaining the outputs for 12 months after the end of the project. Bids also need to demonstrate how the outputs can be re-used/taken up by other organisations in the community. Scenarios can be a useful way of describing what you hope to do with a system, and are also very good for management buy-in. Don't forget to include students as stakeholders in your project - this will help ensure their needs are properly thought through.
Q: Should staff training costs be incorporated as part as the bid if it is an important element of the project?
A: Yes. But you might also like to consider including these costs as part of the institutions commitment.
Q: Is there a limit to the number of bids an organisation puts in?
A: No, but the institution would need to think carefully before doing this. It may be better for one really well thought through bid with senior management buy-in to be submitted rather than two not very good bids. The projects would need to be ones in areas that the institution is clearly supporting and would be able to embed post funding. JISC would need to be assured that if two or more bids were funded the institution had the capacity to deliver.
Q: Will we get constructive feedback on our bid? Do we have to request it?
A: Yes, as part of the selection process feedback is provided on request.
Q: When will the timetable be published?
A: There is a roadmap up on the Web of the timings and broad areas for the September 2006 and April 2007 calls at: http://www.jisc.ac.uk/capital_roadmap.html.
