Business development consultancy services

Tender description

Scottish Enterprise (SE) is seeking to establish a framework of 3 suppliers across a range of key sectors, to provide up to 2 days expert innovation consultancy support. The consultation, which is expected to include commercial advice, is principally aimed at Scottish Enterprise clients from the wider business base who are not currently SE or Business Gateway relationship managed. Eligible businesses will have potential innovation projects that could result in new products or service developments, the implementation of which would see these businesses becoming innovation active. Innovation Expert Support (IES) will be delivered across all SE operational areas making this a national programme available to companies across Scotland (excluding HIE), so capacity to deliver is essential. Additional to the knowledge and experience described in Lot 1 we require a supplier with specialist knowledge and depth of experience within the Digital realm, having demonstrable experience of the development and commercialisation of digital products, applications and services. Suppliers will be expected to provider tailored in-depth support and advice to companies across the range of SE industry sectors. In this focus area the in depth support is likely to include but is not limited to:- — Technical guidance on mobile application and digital service projects, — Guidance on suitable APIs, — Technical recommendations throughout digital R&D process, — Technical and commercial support for disruptive business models, — Guidance on testing requirements and resources for web and digital applications, — Guidance on regulations and processes associated with the launch of digital application on multiple platforms, — Guidance on Software development projects, — Advice on Cloud/Mobile/Web and App based business models. Although SE already provides digitally focused support to Scottish Business, these other products provide guidance to businesses who wish to utilise digital solutions to enable the growth of their business through the optimisation of their own business processes and operational systems. They don't provide innovation/technical advice and support for the development of new digital products and services for sale to B2b or B2c markets. The successful supplier will have specialist knowledge of the development of Technological and Engineering based products and processes, with demonstrable experience of early stage product design, engineering and manufacturing. Additionally they will be required to have the skill sets described under Lot 1 with their expertise and knowledge gained specifically in Technological and Engineering sectors. Suppliers will be expected to provide tailored, more in-depth technical support and advice to companies across the range of SE industry sectors e.g. oil and gas, renewables, energy, technology and engineering, life sciences, chemical sciences, food and drink. This in depth support is likely to include but is not limited to; — Safety practices and processes, — volume manufacturing processes, — Industry analysis, trends and competition, — Product development processes, — Testing, certification and approvals. The successful supplier will cover a wide range of businesses and industries and possess suitable skills and a similarly broad track record and experience. A broad range of subject matter skills is a necessity in the area of general innovation, new product and service development and in Business /Commercialisation. Suppliers will be required to analyse and input to the early stages of an innovation project building on the initial idea through to opportunity identification, design development and in many cases encompassing intellectual asset protection/exploitation. Bidders should be skilled and practised in the assessment and building of business cases and value propositions. They will have experience in market validation, definition of target markets, undertaking competitive analysis. They will demonstrate the use of appropriate techniques and methods to analyse, build, advise and guide clients on the viability or otherwise of their project or opportunity.