SC22223 - C-Care Technology Resilience Voucher Scheme

Tender description

C-Care is cross-Channel Interreg project which aims to respond to some of the socio-economic challenges brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic. C-Care is led by Kent County Council and involves 3 other English and 3 French partner organisations who are jointly implementing the project. C-Care will provide support to businesses and individuals at risk of exclusion in the France-Channel England area to aid economic recovery. As part of this project, the Growth & Communities Division within GET is leading on a technology resilience voucher pilot scheme to provide support to Kent businesses. The scheme was launched in November 2021 when Kent SMEs could start to apply for vouchers. A framework of suppliers was procured during the summer of 2021 which resulted in seven suppliers being selected and approved to provide services to Kent businesses under the voucher scheme. A total number of 385 applications were received between November 2021 and June 2022 and 320 were approved. However, 74 (23.12%) of these which have been withdrawn - the main reason being given by SMEs was a lack of a suitable supplier on the framework to deliver the service they wanted. Not every lot was filled by suppliers and only 4 of the 7 suppliers have actually been selected by beneficiary SMEs to complete a voucher project. Some current suppliers have also indicated that they are very near to reaching full capacity to deliver voucher projects. Lot 1: Web-based Activities Enhancements to existing web sites or new landing pages facilitate online sales / bookings Interconnectivity with e-commerce and supply chain platforms Lot 2: Remote Working Technologies Pivoting to cloud storage to help with remote team management and operational efficiency Online collaboration tools / CMS / CRM systems Lot 3: Software solutions & Apps Development of apps / software solutions to better connect with customers Cyber security & data protection solutions (excluding statutory obligations linked to the General Data Protection Regulation - GDPR Lot 4: Digital Marketing & Promotional Activities E-commerce activities (including international) Digital marketing / video / social media / SEO activity to expand customer reach or provide assurance of ‘Covid-secure’ operations Virtual product / business showcasing (including virtual tours, 3D models, VR, AR etc.) Lot 5: Skills & Capacity Building Staff training / digital upskilling including transitioning to hybrid working, programming, cyber & data security etc Virtual meeting tools and training for improving efficiency / connecting to customers Lot 6: Equipment & small Investments to facilitate digital activity Investments or equipment to facilitate a new digital process or improve digital resilience including spatial computing Digital infrastructure solutions for click & collect, invoicing etc., infrastructure systems including remote working solutions / VOIP