Supply Chain Transition (Investment Zone)

Tender description

The aim of the Supply Chain Transition (IZ) Programme is to help manufacturing businesses in the West Midlands to diversify their customer base and win new orders in growing areas of the local economy (as defined in the WMCAs ‘Plan for Growth’). They will achieve this by working with a dedicated Delivery Partner (the successful supplier), who will provide one-to-one technical coaching on how to improve business performance, create action plans detailing the steps required to achieve growth and deliver training programmes in change management. The Delivery Partner will also be responsible for distributing grant funding. These grants will be used as a contribution towards the costs associated with the research and development projects identified in the action plans, focusing on helping supported businesses to transition into new supply chains. Lot 1: WMCA intend to award one contract to a Provider with a demonstrable track record of providing in-depth support to Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs). The provider can be a single organisation or part of a consortium. If bidding as a consortium, a declaration must be made confirming all members of the consortium and their respective roles in delivery of the services and a lead organisation must be appointed to enter the contract with WMCA if successful. The Supply Chain Transition (IZ) Programme aims to support SME manufacturing businesses in the West Midlands (WM), who have ambitions to grow and diversify their customer base in growing areas of the economy. The support provided is intended to help businesses win new orders in the primary and nascent clusters specified in the Plan for Growth. These clusters include- Aerospace. Manufacturing of Electrical Light Vehicles Manufacture of future housing and other green industries. Med-tech and Health-tech. Smart Energy Systems. The Supply Chain Transition (IZ) Programme must be designed in collaboration with a “Key Customer”, or Customers, who may also be involved in the delivery of the support. A “Key Customer” is defined as an organisation already operating in the sectors listed above, which spends or plans to spend a significant amount on goods and services in the UK during the contract period. Interested providers need to demonstrate during the tendering process what pre-existing relationships they have with Key Customers and how they will be involved in this programme. The successful Delivery Partner will also be required to provide: An audit and training needs assessment of existing capacity within businesses. An action plan to manage necessary change within the business Introductory workshops to introduce the supply chain opportunity to businesses Intensive one-to-one technical advice and guidance sessions. Distribution of research & development grants. Leadership and Management training. The target audience that the programme aims to support is predominantly manufacturing SME’s who are vulnerable to declining sectors and who are registered in the local authorities of Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall, Wolverhampton or Warwick District Council, or with premises where over 75% of national activity takes place in those areas. The indicative contract value for this requirement is between £2,500,000 and £2,975,000 (excluding VAT). The initial contract duration is June 2025 to 31st March 2026 (circa 10 months). Please note however, the WMCA will be incorporating three separate 1 year (12 month) extension options into the contract and each extension will be worth up to £2,975,000, subject to funding availability and mutual agreement between the WMCA and successful Delivery Partner. This means a total potential contract value of £11,900,000 over a 3-year, 10-month period. Bidders are instructed in the ITT documents to bid for the initial contract value and duration (up to £2,975,000 and between June 2025 to 31st March 2026).