SMART - Specialist Support for Productivity and Design

Tender description

The client requires a business support service to complement the existing support offered by the Welsh Government (WG) Innovation team via SMART Innovation. Each business will work with a WG Innovation Specialist to plan innovation and improvement projects. The service will support Welsh companies, who wish to improve their understanding and use of manufacturing systems and use of design. By adopting innovative manufacturing and design tools and technologies, businesses will be better equipped to be flexible in order to deal with high and low volumes and multiple product variants. The Welsh Government has had significant success in encouraging and supporting businesses in the areas of innovation, R&D and technology. Current provision for encouraging and supporting innovation, R&D and technology in businesses, in all areas in Wales is via the SMART Innovation Programme which is supported by design advisory and manufacturing advisory services. The aim of SMART Innovation is to support technologically innovative businesses, primarily SMEs, in the development of new products, process innovation and technologies, through new product development, design, manufacture and commercialisation of the associated Intellectual property. This service shall complement SMART Innovation support which delivers advice and specialist support to help businesses with research & development, design, Intellectual property, new product development, licensing and commercialisation – resulting in the creation of new products, processes, services, technologies and new technologically innovative businesses. Lot 1: The Client is seeking to engage with quality providers to deliver a service that will provide diagnostics and further specialised support to businesses in Wales. The successful provider will be awarded an initial 12 month contract with the option to extend for a further 12 month. An estimated budget of up to 208,500 GBP per annum has been allocated to deliver the contract. The service will cover two types of specialist support: - Productivity - Design The main objectives of the service are: To support Welsh companies as directed by the Welsh Government, who wish to improve their understanding and use of manufacturing, continuous improvement and productivity tools, systems and processes by introducing relevant actions, technology and expertise. To support Welsh companies as directed by the Welsh Government, who wish to improve their understanding and use of design tools and techniques by introducing relevant actions, technology and expertise. To introduce new and enhanced activities in key areas to maximise support for commercialisation, Intellectual Property and high growth innovative enterprises.