Business development consultancy services

Tender description

The services for which tenderers are invited to tender for are the provision of project and management specialist Innovation Advisor services supporting the delivery of a comprehensive European Structural Investment Funded programme to engage Small and Medium Enterprise (SMEs) in a range of activities and research-based interventions in the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership (GLLEP) area. More information regarding the GLLEP is available here: http://www.greaterlincolnshirelep.co.uk/ Delivery of this project will provide a comprehensive range of innovation-based activities, interventions and funding opportunities to SMEs with a key focus on the GLLEP's priority and emerging sectors, enabling businesses to: access equipment and specialist support; draw on sources of technical expertise and hands on support; engage in tailored workforce skills development; and obtain grant funding and seed finance to exploit and bring new products, processes and services to market. This opportunity is split into 2 lots, tenderers may bid for 1 or both lots. Lot 1 — Project Management Activity To lead on the project management and coordination activity of the overarching programme of activity, and therefore responsibility of the management and control systems to include compliance — (to meet ESIF/ERDF requirements). Lot 2 — Innovation Advisor Delivery To provide innovation services across the Greater Lincolnshire LEP area to include Innovation Diagnostics and 1:1 advice to eligible businesses enrolled on the programme. Please note this procurement is a re-tender of a previously aborted tender process. To make the contract more commercially attractive the following changes have been made; the addition of the project management lot, increased funding, reduction in outputs to be achieved and a reduction in the minimum turnover required. The University is holding a mid tender briefing session on the morning of 12th May, this will be an opportunity for suppliers to ask questions about the tender process and the project. Further details are contained within the tender documents.