T2407a - Northern Ireland Enterprise Support Service ‘NIESS’ Framework A (preferred Contractors) Growth and Scaling

Concepts

• belfast
• management consultancy
• consultancy services

Location

Northern Ireland: Derry City & Strabane District Council and Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council

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 of ESS, this NIESS Framework A, which will: a) Be proactive and flexible to address market needs. b) Incentivise market development activity. c) Provide a core programme of service delivery across the region. d) Provide access to specialists in certain sectors / target groups. e) Be flexible in responding to future variability in demand and funding. f) Provide quality services that meet user needs; and g) 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 of the following three frameworks/ contracts which are being procured separately: a) NIESS Framework A (preferred Contractors) - Growth and Scaling; b) NIESS Framework A (preferred Contractors) - Engage and Foundation; and b) NIESS Framework B (Subject Matter Experts and Sector Experts). This procurement relates to the award of a contract to the Contractor for each of five (5) geographic Lots for NIESS Framework A (preferred Contractors) covering the Growth and Scaling requirement. The geographic Lots are based on groupings of the 11 Local Authorities and are for the provision of ‘growth and scaling’ level supports. 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 Enabling Growth is aimed at stimulating growth within existing businesses across the area. All businesses receiving support through this element have potential to be ‘employer enterprises’. They will receive differentiated and tailored support focused on cohorts such as SME start-up enterprise founders, who can be the life blood of high streets and local economies; and innovation-driven enterprises with a strong aspiration to grow, with a focus on regional/ export markets. Support would include; access to ‘live’ masterclasses, post-start mentoring, connections to sources of finance and ‘grow-on’ accommodation; and peer support/ networks. The scaling element entails a hand-holding support for scaling companies in the early phases of their transition to other provision.

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 (approx. 18 months based on contract start date of 1st October 2023). 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 31 March 2025 initially. 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.

Other Information

** PREVIEW NOTICE, please check Find a Tender for full details. **