Peer Networks 2021-22

Tender description

We are seeking a director’s recommendation to deliver the Peer Networks programme of SME business support in 2021/22. The Peer Networks programme is a national programme of business support funded by BEIS, and operated via Growth Hubs across England. It utilises the well-established, and popular format of peer-to-peer support, led by an expert facilitator, who needs to be experienced and trained in the methodology of Action Learning Sets/Peer-To-Peer support. Cohorts of 11 businesses meet, every 2-3 weeks, a total of 6-8 times, under the guidance of the facilitator, and discuss their issues and challenges, supporting each other along the way. This is followed by additional one-to-one support from the facilitator over a period of weeks. The programme ran in Q3 and Q4 of last year, whereby we ran 2 cohorts, which were procured by obtaining three quotes, the contract being below £25k. This year, however, we have committed to delivering 6 cohorts, taking the total contract to £70k (plus VAT, where applicable). Because of the length of the support programme, the delivery needs to begin by the middle of Q2 at the very latest, and marketing of the offer therefore needs to begin as soon as possible- the end of Q1 at the latest. If we are unable to offer the contract to our preferred suppliers in the next few weeks, therefore, we will not be able to deliver this valuable and highly beneficial programme in our area. That would mean that up to 66 businesses would miss out on a programme which is well proven, and important at this time of re-opening and fresh challenges for the area’s SMEs. As stated above, last year we went out for quotes to deliver two cohorts and found that there are providers who were interested in delivering this service, and we have been approached by others who wish to deliver one or two cohorts this year. However, we cannot appoint these smaller delivery partners, as they will not have capacity to deliver all 6 cohorts, and the programme comes as one package. The other providers are already delivering for other Growth Hubs (e.g. University Of Leeds in Leeds City Region), and were also too expensive for this contact when we asked them for quotes last year. We therefore feel that University of York are our only option to deliver the full programme within budget, timescale, and to the required standard. We would be happy to undertake a full tender process to establish this, but we do not have the time to do so if we are to deliver before the end of the financial year, when all the funding must be defrayed, and activity delivered. I therefore believe that it is in the public interest that this requirement is waived, if at all possible. Using University of York as our delivery partner does save money, as we already have the legal agreements in place form the previous year’s delivery, and so the use of NYCC legal and data protection teams would be much reduced. Because of this simplification from last year’s delivery University of York are willing to reduce their fees from last years as well. We can also demonstrate value for money in that the fees we are offering to pay for this service (max. £70k for 6 cohorts), is below the lowest quote we obtained last year for the delivery of the programme £23,500 for two cohorts), and as we have worked with the University on this programme before, we do know that their delivery is of a very high standard. The contract will be managed, as last year by Y&NY Growth Hub and will be subject to our usual checks and balances. Karen Booth will be the project manager and will work with YNY LEP management, and NYCC legal team. BEIS have instituted all the relevant controls and reporting at their side as well, as they are the funding body.