Business and management consultancy services

Tender description

The Council on behalf of the Solent Local Enterprise Partnership (Solent LEP) is inviting tenders from suitably qualified consultants to provide independent expert due diligence on applications to the Solent LEP for capital investment. This expertise will provide independent advice and recommendations to the Solent LEP Board in the form of clear, concise reports and include comment on: compliance with relevant fund guidance, HM Treasury Green Book guidance and Office of Government Commerce Gateway Review; prioritisation of projects seeking funding and consideration of State Aid, etc. The Council will establish a framework of 3 consultants. The highest ranking supplier will undertake all due diligence work with the remaining consultants called upon on a ranked basis where conflict of interest or capacity issues prevent the highest ranked consultant from providing the services. The initial contract term will expire on 31.3.2021 with the possibility of extending to a total of 5 years. Portsmouth City Council ('the Council') on behalf of the Solent Local Enterprise Partnership ('Solent LEP') is inviting tenders from suitably qualified, experienced and resourced consultants to provide independent expert due diligence on applications to the Solent LEP for capital investment. This expertise will need to provide independent advice and recommendations to the Solent LEP Board (or its designated sub-panel), in the form of clear and concise reports that are agreed with the Solent LEP and cover: — compliance with relevant fund guidance, — compliance with HM Treasury Green Book Guidance, where appropriate, — compliance with Office of Government Commerce Gateway Review, — prioritisation of projects seeking funding, — consideration of State Aid. Advice on the financial proposition of the proposal. In addition, the successful consultant will need to provide support to the Solent LEP when promoting funding calls, including advice in relation to completing applications and attendance at a fund launch workshop. It is anticipated that up to 6 reports on full business cases, up to 25 reports on outline business cases and up to 10 reports on business support funding applications will be required per annum, with subsequent attendance at up to 8 meetings per annum. In securing this advice, the Council will establish a 4 year framework of 3 consultants. The highest ranking consultant will undertake the due diligence work. The remaining framework consultants will be utilised on a ranked basis as a contingency resource in times of reduced capacity, in the event of a conflict of interest that precludes due diligence with the primary consultant or in the event that extension options are not taken up with the primary consultant. The initial call-off contract with the highest ranked consultant will expire on 31.3.2021 with the possibility of extending the term to a maximum of 5 years in increments to be agreed, subject to the agreement and performance of both parties. The estimated value of this framework is 500 000 GBP. The procurement process will follow the timetable below: — deadline for requests for clarification: 23:59 on 1.7.2019, — tender return deadline: 12:00 on 15.7.2019, — interviews: 6.8.2019, — standstill starts: 10.8.2019, — standstill ends: 19.8.2019, — contract award: 21.8.2019.