T2408 Northern Ireland Enterprise Support Service 'NIESS' Subject Matters Experts and Sector Experts

Concepts

• belfast
• management consultancy
• consultancy services
• sector experts
• subject matter experts
• subject matters experts and sector experts
• northern ireland
• enterprise support services
• service delivery
• t2408 northern ireland enterprise support service niess subject matters experts

Location

Belfast

Description

The Local Authorities in Northern Ireland have developed a new enterprise support service ‘ESS’ which aims to put in place a more ambitious approach to the delivery of start-up and growth support which seeks to revamp the current offer and increase the number, survival and growth rates of new businesses across the region. The service aims to provide a set of connected ESS where individuals, entrepreneurs or businesses can access a continuum of support to meet their needs, aligned with the relevant stage of their business. Given the varying needs of the individuals, entrepreneurs and businesses that will likely engage with this service across the business lifecycle, the Local Authorities have identified a need to put in place a framework which will: • Be proactive and flexible to address market needs. • Incentivise market development activity. • Provide a core programme of service delivery across the region. - Provide access to specialists in certain sectors / target groups. • Be flexible in responding to future variability in demand and funding. • Provide quality services that meet user needs; and • Support the Local Authorities strategic ambitions aligned with The Northern Ireland Draft Programme for Government, 10x Economy – Northern Ireland’s Decade of Innovation, Economy 2030, draft Green Growth Strategy for Northern Ireland, Invest NI’s forward business plans, the City/Growth deals, and inclusive growth focus of the individual Council community plans. The NIESS will comprise the following three frameworks/ contracts which are being procured separately: i. NIESS Framework A (preferred Contractors) – Growth and Scaling; ii. NIESS Framework A (preferred Contractors) – Engage and Foundation; and iii. NIESS Framework B (Subject Matter Experts and Sector Experts); This procurement relates to the NIESS Framework B (Subject Matter Experts and Sector Experts). The other 10 Local Authorities (Contract Users) included are: Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council Ards and North Down Borough Council Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council Derry City and Strabane District Council Fermanagh and Omagh District Council - Enniskillen Office Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council Mid and East Antrim Borough Council Mid Ulster District Council - Dungannon Newry, Mourne and Down District Council The Northern Ireland Enterprise Support Service (NIESS) aims to put in place an ambitious approach to the delivery of start-up and growth support for new businesses and covers the 11 Local Authority Areas (LAAs) within Northern Ireland. In order to deliver the NI Enterprise Support Service the 11 LAAs wish to put in place a Framework of specialist mentors to support in the delivery of enterprise support services across Northern Ireland – with a focus on ‘Subject Matter Experts’ and ‘Sector Experts’. The core services to be delivered include one-to-one advice and guidance to support local businesses to start, grow and scale and support signposting and referrals to other services.

Lot Division

Award Detail

Renewal Options

The contract for each Lot shall be effective from the date of award for an initial period up to 31st March 2025. Any extension may be subject to further approval by the Council (including other Local Authorities) and funders for the relevant Lot, availability of funding and satisfactory performance of the Contractor. Funding has been secured for service activity up to 31st March 2025. Any activity following this date will be subject to securing additional funding.

Award Criteria

CPV Codes

• 79400000 - Business and management consultancy and related services

Indicators

• Options are available.
• Award on basis of price.

Other Information

Contract is demand led and there is no guaranteed spend.