Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
Essex County Council
County Hall, Market Road
Chelmsford
CM1 1QH
Contact
Mr Craig Johnson
Telephone
+44 333
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UKH3 - Essex
Internet address(es)
Main address
https://procontract.due-north.com/
Buyer's address
one.3) Communication
Additional information can be obtained from 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
Soft Market Testing for Growth Hub Service a Business Support Service
Reference number
DN712967
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 79400000 - Business and management consultancy and related services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
Essex County Council (ECC) intends to procure a specialist provider to provide Growth Hub support. Growth Hubs are an established business support service, which provide free and impartial signposting, information, and advice to all businesses looking to succeed, helping them to navigate the national and local support landscape. It is Government grant funded annually by the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) and provides a one stop shop for business support services that offers:
• Information, navigation, and signposting via a coordinated, multi-channel service
• One-to-one structured support to small and medium enterprises, incorporating a diagnostic assessment of business needs and advice and guidance.
The existing contract expires on 30th June 2024. ECC would like to gauge the interest for a contract that would start on the 1 July 2024 and expire on 31 March 2025. Bids can be from a single organisation, a consortium or a lead entity with sub-contracting; this will be at the supplier’s discretion but is subject to agreement from Essex County Council. The estimated budget for this service is £100,000. The budget is based on previously received grants for the same service, however the exact budget is dependent on the value of the grant received from the DBT. To confirm your interest in the opportunity please email Daniel.Gaimster@essex.gov.uk.
Responses should be submitted by 5pm 3 April 2024. Please note this PIN/Early Engagement/Request for Information is not intended as a call for competition.
two.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT: £100,000
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.2) Description
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKH3 - Essex
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
Essex County Council (ECC) intends to procure a specialist provider to provide Growth Hub support. Growth Hubs are an established business support service, which provide free and impartial signposting, information, and advice to all businesses looking to succeed, helping them to navigate the national and local support landscape. It is Government grant funded annually by the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) and provides a one stop shop for business support services that offers:
• Information, navigation, and signposting via a coordinated, multi-channel service
• One-to-one structured support to small and medium enterprises, incorporating a diagnostic assessment of business needs and advice and guidance.
The existing contract expires on 30th June 2024. ECC would like to gauge the interest for a contract that would start on the 1 July 2024 and expire on 31 March 2025. Bids can be from a single organisation, a consortium or a lead entity with sub-contracting; this will be at the supplier’s discretion but is subject to agreement from Essex County Council. The estimated budget for this service is £100,000. The budget is based on previously received grants for the same service, however the exact budget is dependent on the value of the grant received from the DBT. To confirm your interest in the opportunity please email Daniel.Gaimster@essex.gov.uk.
Responses should be submitted by 5pm 3 April 2024. Please note this PIN/Early Engagement/Request for Information is not intended as a call for competition.
two.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice
20 March 2024
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: No