SPECIALIST BUSINESS ADVICE (FORMERLY KNOWN AS EXPERT HELP) FRAMEWORK 1 APRIL 2026 – 31 MARCH 2029

Tender description

This prior information notice is to inform the market that Business Gateway Fife intends to procure a framework of suppliers to deliver one-to-one specialist business advice and support to Fife’s SMEs. This will replace the existing Business Gateway Fife Expert Help Framework. As part of the pre-procurement process, Business Gateway Fife is looking to gauge the level of interest in the contract to help inform the procurement strategy and feedback on the specification Lot 1: Marketing Business Gateway Fife, a company limited by guarantee and wholly owned by Fife Council, is the delivery agent for Business Gateway services in Fife. Business Gateway is a publicly funded service contributing to the economic wellbeing of Scotland by providing access to free business support services. We give assistance and impartial advice to people starting or growing their business through a combination of: - One to one advice to suit specific business needs through a network of experienced business advisers. - A programme of fully funded workshops and events held throughout Scotland. - Online support – a comprehensive website with practical information and useful guides. - Business information – a dedicated team providing information and support on all aspects of starting and growing a business. Business Gateway Fife services in Fife have been complemented for several years by a framework of subject matter experts delivering one to one specialist business support under the Specialist Business Advice programme (formerly known as Expert Help). Since 2023 this has been funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund The end date of the current framework contract is 31st March 2026, aligned to the end of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. From 1st April 2026, subject to confirmation of funding under the UK Government’s Local Growth Fund, Business, Gateway Fife Ltd will deliver a new programme of one-to-one specialist business support on behalf of Fife Council. A new framework of suppliers is being procured by Business Gateway Fife Ltd to deliver this support. The purpose of this tender is to seek proposals from potential suppliers of Specialist Business Advice & Support Services. Those selected will be required to professionally assist companies within the Fife region in their area of expertise. Lot 2: Business Development Business Gateway Fife, a company limited by guarantee and wholly owned by Fife Council, is the delivery agent for Business Gateway services in Fife. Business Gateway is a publicly funded service contributing to the economic wellbeing of Scotland by providing access to free business support services. We give assistance and impartial advice to people starting or growing their business through a combination of: - One to one advice to suit specific business needs through a network of experienced business advisers. - A programme of fully funded workshops and events held throughout Scotland. - Online support – a comprehensive website with practical information and useful guides. - Business information – a dedicated team providing information and support on all aspects of starting and growing a business. Business Gateway Fife services in Fife have been complemented for several years by a framework of subject matter experts delivering one to one specialist business support under the Specialist Business Advice programme (formerly known as Expert Help). Since 2023 this has been funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund The end date of the current framework contract is 31st March 2026, aligned to the end of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. From 1st April 2026, subject to confirmation of funding under the UK Government’s Local Growth Fund, Business, Gateway Fife Ltd will deliver a new programme of one-to-one specialist business support on behalf of Fife Council. A new framework of suppliers is being procured by Business Gateway Fife Ltd to deliver this support. The purpose of this tender is to seek proposals from potential suppliers of Specialist Business Advice & Support Services. Those selected will be required to professionally assist companies within the Fife region in their area of expertise. Lot 3: Environmental Business Gateway Fife, a company limited by guarantee and wholly owned by Fife Council, is the delivery agent for Business Gateway services in Fife. Business Gateway is a publicly funded service contributing to the economic wellbeing of Scotland by providing access to free business support services. We give assistance and impartial advice to people starting or growing their business through a combination of: - One to one advice to suit specific business needs through a network of experienced business advisers. - A programme of fully funded workshops and events held throughout Scotland. - Online support – a comprehensive website with practical information and useful guides. - Business information – a dedicated team providing information and support on all aspects of starting and growing a business. Business Gateway Fife services in Fife have been complemented for several years by a framework of subject matter experts delivering one to one specialist business support under the Specialist Business Advice programme (formerly known as Expert Help). Since 2023 this has been funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund The end date of the current framework contract is 31st March 2026, aligned to the end of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. From 1st April 2026, subject to confirmation of funding under the UK Government’s Local Growth Fund, Business, Gateway Fife Ltd will deliver a new programme of one-to-one specialist business support on behalf of Fife Council. A new framework of suppliers is being procured by Business Gateway Fife Ltd to deliver this support. The purpose of this tender is to seek proposals from potential suppliers of Specialist Business Advice & Support Services. Those selected will be required to professionally assist companies within the Fife region in their area of expertise. Lot 4: Innovation Business Gateway Fife, a company limited by guarantee and wholly owned by Fife Council, is the delivery agent for Business Gateway services in Fife. Business Gateway is a publicly funded service contributing to the economic wellbeing of Scotland by providing access to free business support services. We give assistance and impartial advice to people starting or growing their business through a combination of: - One to one advice to suit specific business needs through a network of experienced business advisers. - A programme of fully funded workshops and events held throughout Scotland. - Online support – a comprehensive website with practical information and useful guides. - Business information – a dedicated team providing information and support on all aspects of starting and growing a business. Business Gateway Fife services in Fife have been complemented for several years by a framework of subject matter experts delivering one to one specialist business support under the Specialist Business Advice programme (formerly known as Expert Help). Since 2023 this has been funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund The end date of the current framework contract is 31st March 2026, aligned to the end of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. From 1st April 2026, subject to confirmation of funding under the UK Government’s Local Growth Fund, Business, Gateway Fife Ltd will deliver a new programme of one-to-one specialist business support on behalf of Fife Council. A new framework of suppliers is being procured by Business Gateway Fife Ltd to deliver this support. The purpose of this tender is to seek proposals from potential suppliers of Specialist Business Advice & Support Services. Those selected will be required to professionally assist companies within the Fife region in their area of expertise. Lot 5: Finance Business Gateway Fife, a company limited by guarantee and wholly owned by Fife Council, is the delivery agent for Business Gateway services in Fife. Business Gateway is a publicly funded service contributing to the economic wellbeing of Scotland by providing access to free business support services. We give assistance and impartial advice to people starting or growing their business through a combination of: - One to one advice to suit specific business needs through a network of experienced business advisers. - A programme of fully funded workshops and events held throughout Scotland. - Online support – a comprehensive website with practical information and useful guides. - Business information – a dedicated team providing information and support on all aspects of starting and growing a business. Business Gateway Fife services in Fife have been complemented for several years by a framework of subject matter experts delivering one to one specialist business support under the Specialist Business Advice programme (formerly known as Expert Help). Since 2023 this has been funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund The end date of the current framework contract is 31st March 2026, aligned to the end of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. From 1st April 2026, subject to confirmation of funding under the UK Government’s Local Growth Fund, Business, Gateway Fife Ltd will deliver a new programme of one-to-one specialist business support on behalf of Fife Council. A new framework of suppliers is being procured by Business Gateway Fife Ltd to deliver this support. The purpose of this tender is to seek proposals from potential suppliers of Specialist Business Advice & Support Services. Those selected will be required to professionally assist companies within the Fife region in their area of expertise. Lot 6: Information Systems Business Gateway Fife, a company limited by guarantee and wholly owned by Fife Council, is the delivery agent for Business Gateway services in Fife. Business Gateway is a publicly funded service contributing to the economic wellbeing of Scotland by providing access to free business support services. We give assistance and impartial advice to people starting or growing their business through a combination of: - One to one advice to suit specific business needs through a network of experienced business advisers. - A programme of fully funded workshops and events held throughout Scotland. - Online support – a comprehensive website with practical information and useful guides. - Business information – a dedicated team providing information and support on all aspects of starting and growing a business. Business Gateway Fife services in Fife have been complemented for several years by a framework of subject matter experts delivering one to one specialist business support under the Specialist Business Advice programme (formerly known as Expert Help). Since 2023 this has been funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund The end date of the current framework contract is 31st March 2026, aligned to the end of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. From 1st April 2026, subject to confirmation of funding under the UK Government’s Local Growth Fund, Business, Gateway Fife Ltd will deliver a new programme of one-to-one specialist business support on behalf of Fife Council. A new framework of suppliers is being procured by Business Gateway Fife Ltd to deliver this support. The purpose of this tender is to seek proposals from potential suppliers of Specialist Business Advice & Support Services. Those selected will be required to professionally assist companies within the Fife region in their area of expertise. Lot 7: People Business Gateway Fife, a company limited by guarantee and wholly owned by Fife Council, is the delivery agent for Business Gateway services in Fife. Business Gateway is a publicly funded service contributing to the economic wellbeing of Scotland by providing access to free business support services. We give assistance and impartial advice to people starting or growing their business through a combination of: - One to one advice to suit specific business needs through a network of experienced business advisers. - A programme of fully funded workshops and events held throughout Scotland. - Online support – a comprehensive website with practical information and useful guides. - Business information – a dedicated team providing information and support on all aspects of starting and growing a business. Business Gateway Fife services in Fife have been complemented for several years by a framework of subject matter experts delivering one to one specialist business support under the Specialist Business Advice programme (formerly known as Expert Help). Since 2023 this has been funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund The end date of the current framework contract is 31st March 2026, aligned to the end of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. From 1st April 2026, subject to confirmation of funding under the UK Government’s Local Growth Fund, Business, Gateway Fife Ltd will deliver a new programme of one-to-one specialist business support on behalf of Fife Council. A new framework of suppliers is being procured by Business Gateway Fife Ltd to deliver this support. The purpose of this tender is to seek proposals from potential suppliers of Specialist Business Advice & Support Services. Those selected will be required to professionally assist companies within the Fife region in their area of expertise. Lot 8: Property Business Gateway Fife, a company limited by guarantee and wholly owned by Fife Council, is the delivery agent for Business Gateway services in Fife. Business Gateway is a publicly funded service contributing to the economic wellbeing of Scotland by providing access to free business support services. We give assistance and impartial advice to people starting or growing their business through a combination of: - One to one advice to suit specific business needs through a network of experienced business advisers. - A programme of fully funded workshops and events held throughout Scotland. - Online support – a comprehensive website with practical information and useful guides. - Business information – a dedicated team providing information and support on all aspects of starting and growing a business. Business Gateway Fife services in Fife have been complemented for several years by a framework of subject matter experts delivering one to one specialist business support under the Specialist Business Advice programme (formerly known as Expert Help). Since 2023 this has been funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund The end date of the current framework contract is 31st March 2026, aligned to the end of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. From 1st April 2026, subject to confirmation of funding under the UK Government’s Local Growth Fund, Business, Gateway Fife Ltd will deliver a new programme of one-to-one specialist business support on behalf of Fife Council. A new framework of suppliers is being procured by Business Gateway Fife Ltd to deliver this support. The purpose of this tender is to seek proposals from potential suppliers of Specialist Business Advice & Support Services. Those selected will be required to professionally assist companies within the Fife region in their area of expertise. Lot 9: Legal & Compliance Business Gateway Fife, a company limited by guarantee and wholly owned by Fife Council, is the delivery agent for Business Gateway services in Fife. Business Gateway is a publicly funded service contributing to the economic wellbeing of Scotland by providing access to free business support services. We give assistance and impartial advice to people starting or growing their business through a combination of: - One to one advice to suit specific business needs through a network of experienced business advisers. - A programme of fully funded workshops and events held throughout Scotland. - Online support – a comprehensive website with practical information and useful guides. - Business information – a dedicated team providing information and support on all aspects of starting and growing a business. Business Gateway Fife services in Fife have been complemented for several years by a framework of subject matter experts delivering one to one specialist business support under the Specialist Business Advice programme (formerly known as Expert Help). Since 2023 this has been funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund The end date of the current framework contract is 31st March 2026, aligned to the end of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. From 1st April 2026, subject to confirmation of funding under the UK Government’s Local Growth Fund, Business, Gateway Fife Ltd will deliver a new programme of one-to-one specialist business support on behalf of Fife Council. A new framework of suppliers is being procured by Business Gateway Fife Ltd to deliver this support. The purpose of this tender is to seek proposals from potential suppliers of Specialist Business Advice & Support Services. Those selected will be required to professionally assist companies within the Fife region in their area of expertise.