Scope
Reference
PL0117
Description
Essex County Council (ECC) currently delivers business support through two main programmes: the Ambitious Essex Growth Hub, funded by the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), and Backing Essex Business, funded by ECC. While both services have been effective in supporting businesses across the county, feedback from the business community has consistently highlighted challenges in navigating the support landscape and identifying the most appropriate service for their needs.
With both contracts due to expire on 31st March 2026, ECC is taking the opportunity to reprocure and consolidate these services into a single, streamlined business support offer. This new service will be designed to simplify access for businesses, adapt to business needs, remove duplication, and deliver improved value for money.
Total value (estimated)
- £1,140,000 excluding VAT
- £1,368,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2029
- 3 years
Options
The right to additional purchases while the contract is valid.
The Authority reserves the right at any time during the Term of this Agreement to add services that are similar and/or complementary services to the Services (Additional Services) including but not limited to provisions of support services in relation to marketing, finance and construction. See Terms and Conditions publish at tender for more details of this.
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 66000000 - Financial and insurance services
- 79000000 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security
Contract locations
- UKH3 - Essex
Participation
Particular suitability
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
Submission
Enquiry deadline
21 January 2026, 4:00pm
Tender submission deadline
2 February 2026, 12:00pm
Submission address and any special instructions
The bids to be submitted electronically to Procontract : https://procontract.due-north.com/RFx/RFxSummary?rfxId=9a6ab472-e1eb-f011-813c-005056b64545&projectId=37aeda8c-4d78-f011-813a-005056b64545
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
1 April 2026
Award criteria
| Name | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Quality | Quality | 45% |
| Price | Price | 40% |
| Social Value | Quality | 10% |
| Climate | Quality | 5% |
Other information
Description of risks to contract performance
1. It is anticipated, that during the life of this contract, the LGR process will commence and progress potentially impacting this contract. Impacts may include, but are not limited to, modifications such as a transfer of the legal entity you currently contract with, significant increases and/or decreases in the value/volume of services and works required due to the change in size/scope of the Contracting Authority, and/or changes to the scope of the nature of goods/services/works required. Although any contract scope changes should broadly relate to the nature of the existing scope, new goods/services/works of a related nature may be required that were not previously included.
2. As a result of withdrawal or increase in funding there is a risk that funding may change throughout the lifetime of the contract Leading to a need to modify the contract to either decrease or increase the services.
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Special regime
Light touch
Contracting authority
Essex County Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PWVM-4844-NRQH
County Hall, Market Road
Chelmsford
CM1 1QH
United Kingdom
Region: UKH36 - Heart of Essex
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government