PS17279 ESRC Business Case Development

Tender description

ESRC is the UK's largest organisation for funding research on economic and social issues. We support independent, high quality research which has an impact on business, the public sector and civil society. Our total budget for 2017-18 is around £202 million. At any one time we support over 4,000 researchers and postgraduate students in academic institutions and independent research institutes. ESRC's status is changing as a result of the Higher Education Research Act 2017. From 1st April 2018, the Research Councils will merge together with Innovate UK and Research England (previously part of HEFCE), to form UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). The main aim of the tender exercise is to procure specialist expertise to lead the development of a business case that aligns with the HMT mandated 'Better Business Case' approach. The primary aim is to lead the delivery of a robust and well-evidenced business case to the agreed timetable. Specific objectives include: o Developing and exploring ESRC's suggested way forward. o Producing a draft report that addresses the 5 cases of the '5 Case Model' (Strategic Case, Economic Case, Commercial Case, Financial Case, and Management Case). o Producing a Full Business Case that addresses the 5 cases (Strategic Case, Economic Case, Commercial Case, Financial Case, and Management Case). o Performing a cost benefit analysis utilising a robust methodology. This component will form the basis of the Economic Business Case. o Working closely with ESRC. Maintaining regular communications throughout the development of the business case and meeting ESRC's reporting requirements Scope The scope of the project is to deliver a business case in line with ESRC's expectations: - You are expected to produce the business case document, including all draft versions, in digital format - ESRC will provide materials that will be drawn upon for the Strategic Case - ESRC will provide guidance regarding the desired approach that should be considered within the business case, in particular as demonstrated within the proposed service design - You will take forward the business case development from its current stage of thinking. Requirement The contractor is expected to assist ESRC in the production of a business case that utilises the HMT's Better Business Case approach. Please see the attached documents for comprehensive list of requirements and deliverables.