Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
West Midlands Combined Authority
16 Summer Lane
Birmingham
B19 3SD
Telephone
+44 3453036760
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UKG - West Midlands (England)
Internet address(es)
Main address
one.3) Communication
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at
https://wmca.bravosolution.co.uk
Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address
Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted electronically via
https://wmca.bravosolution.co.uk
Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted to the above-mentioned address
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Regional or local authority
one.5) Main activity
General public services
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
Digital Economy Strategic Partnership
Reference number
03643-2021
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 79411000 - General management consultancy services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
The WMCA are looking for a tech organisation to support the delivery of a small number of specific activities to grow the digital and tech economy. As well as these specific interventions, we would expect this organisation to provide broader support and advocacy for the regional tech and digital sector.
The interventions outlined are for the financial years 2022/23 and 2023/24.
two.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT: £200,000
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.2) Description
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKG - West Midlands (England)
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
In brief, this piece of consultancy work will cover the following specific activities:
• Establish a network of West Midlands tech and digital ‘ambassadors’ – individuals or firms that have their roots in the West Midlands but now operate in another country or part of the UK. This network should provide support and mentorship to existing West Midlands firms and provide greater connectivity to firms or investors abroad.
• Support the recruitment process for a West Midlands Tech Commissioner, to provide a visible point of leadership for the digital and tech economy. This individual would advocate for our sector, engage with investors, encourage firms to relocate, and advise the WMCA Economy team and Mayor on how to achieve our aims. Also provide ongoing support for the West Midlands Tech Commissioner once recruited, linking them to opportunities for advocacy and engagement.
• Support the establishment of workspaces for digital and tech entrepreneurs/start-ups, particularly in places that are underserved and for communities that don’t access existing provision. This should be through engagement with firms that provide co-working and accelerator spaces, aligned with WMGC activity, and partnering with Housing and Regeneration teams in the LA/WMCA to identify potential sites. This should also align with work being undertaken to develop the regional business support system, ensuring that workspaces can benefit from any advisory or support services being commissioned through WMCA.
• Work with the WMCA to ensure that we maximise the value of the Co-Invest Fund for the digital and tech sector. This could include the establishment of a specific portal or guidance for digital and tech firms.
• Close working with the WMCA’s partners (including, but not exclusively, Local Authorities, Local Enterprise Partnerships, Chambers of Commerce, Make UK, UKie, Federation of Small Businesses, CBI etc…)
• Reporting of progress: The winning tenderer will report progress to the WMCA Economic Growth Board. The WMCA Economy team will provide support in how this engagement functions, but it will be important to provide updates and assurance to the board and to use their insight (and that of the WMCA’s partners – see above) in developing projects.
• In delivery of the contract, the winning tenderer will be expected to raise significant matched commercial funding to match this public investment over the course of the two years (this may be from in-kind sponsorship/donations from the private sector, or other that would count as ‘match’). There is no expectation that external ‘match’ funding would in place at the beginning of the contract.
• In delivery of the contract, the winning tenderer will be expected to take into account (and have regard to) the range of other WMCA aims and policies, which include green and inclusive growth.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months
12
This contract is subject to renewal
Yes
Description of renewals
One (1) x 12 months
two.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: No
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: Yes
Description of options
WMCA can cancel for convenience after twelve (12) months.
two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.1) Type of procedure
Open procedure
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes
four.2) Administrative information
four.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate
Date
14 March 2022
Local time
12:00pm
four.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted
English
four.2.6) Minimum time frame during which the tenderer must maintain the tender
Duration in months: 6 (from the date stated for receipt of tender)
four.2.7) Conditions for opening of tenders
Date
14 March 2022
Local time
12:30pm
Place
WMCA offices or remotely (as required)
Information about authorised persons and opening procedure
David Bailey - sequential opening of tenders
Section six. Complementary information
six.1) Information about recurrence
This is a recurrent procurement: No
six.2) Information about electronic workflows
Electronic ordering will be used
Electronic invoicing will be accepted
Electronic payment will be used
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
Royal Courts of Justice
London
Country
United Kingdom