Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
Kent County Council
County Hall
Maidstone
ME14 1XQ
Contact
Mrs Kelly Roberts
Telephone
+44 3000416617
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UKJ4 - Kent
Internet address(es)
Main address
Buyer's 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
SC20032 South East Business Boost II
Reference number
DN508876
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
Growth Hubs are locally based, Government-backed services linked to the national business support helpline.
They enable businesses to access local and national business support. Government funding for Growth Hubs is
made available via the 39 Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs). The South East Local Enterprise Partnership
(SELEP) covers Kent and Medway, Essex, Southend, Thurrock and East Sussex. It is the largest LEP in
England. The SELEP (via Essex County Council as its accountable body) receives funding from Government
for a Growth Hub. The SELEP operates a federal model, with local partnerships for each economic area within
the LEP. For Kent and Medway, this is the Kent and Medway Economic Partnership (KMEP). The Growth Hub
for the SELEP area reflects this federal model, with separately procured and managed services in Kent and
Medway, Essex and East Sussex.
The current Kent and Medway Growth Hub service can be accessed at www.kentandmedwaygrowthhub.org.uk
The core Growth Hub service is enhanced through a SELEP-wide South East Business Boost (SEBB) ERDF
(European Regional Development Fund) programme, led by Southend Borough Council the lead accountable
body. This service provides additional activities beyond what can be provided through the BEIS funding and
delivers an offer that compliments and enhances the existing ‘core’ Growth Hub programme.
Kent County Council procured a SEBBII service which will provide of one to one and one to many
interactions that create growth and facilitate innovation within local companies. The programmes are aimed
at pre-start, start-up and Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) who wish to scale up production to
increase turnover. The service also offers ‘Growth Grant’ programme designed to facilitate growth and increase
productivity within local companies.
The contract duration is for 23 months, from June 2021 to engage and support 262 SMEs to enable them to increase turnover, improve productivity, generate new products /services, and create jobs.
Key activities include:
• Marketing and Engagement of the service to eligible businesses
• Productivity and competitiveness direct one to one business support for high potential businesses.
• Enterprise and Entrepreneurship Support for start-ups and new businesses.
• Promotion and management of Business Grants Programme with eligible businesses.
• Development of strategic partnerships and robust referral networks
• Data collection, verification and reporting in line with ERDF requirements.
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.1.7) Total value of the procurement (excluding VAT)
Value excluding VAT: £665,902
two.2) Description
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKJ4 - Kent
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
The scope of the SEBBII service is to provide of one to one and one to many interactions that create growth and facilitate innovation within local companies. The programmes are aimed at pre-start, start-up and Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) who wish to scale up production to increase turnover. The service also offers ‘Growth Grant’ programme designed to facilitate growth and increase productivity within local companies.
The contract duration will be from June 2021 for 23 months to engage and support 262
SMEs to enable them to increase turnover, improve productivity, generate new products /services, and create
jobs.
Key activities include:
• Marketing and Engagement of the service to eligible businesses
• Productivity and competitiveness direct one to one business support for high potential businesses.
• Enterprise and Entrepreneurship Support for start-ups and new businesses.
• Promotion and management of Business Grants Programme with eligible businesses.
• Development of strategic partnerships and robust referral networks
• Data collection, verification and reporting in line with ERDF requirements.
In the event that additional funding for this service is granted to the Council to continue to deliver the SEBB
Services consisting of the repetition of similar services entrusted to the Supplier under this Contract after 31
March 2023, the Council reserves the right to procure the new services via the negotiated procedure without
prior publication in accordance with Regulation 32(9) of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015, the conditions
for which will be as per the conditions of the grant funding
two.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion - Name: Quality = lowest price per quality point score (i.e. Cost divided by quality score) / Weighting: 100
Cost criterion - Name: Cost = = lowest price per quality point score (i.e. Cost divided by quality score) / Weighting: 100
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: No
two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: Yes
Identification of the project
European Regional Development Fund
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.1) Type of procedure
Competitive procedure with negotiation
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.2.1) Previous publication concerning this procedure
Notice number: 2020/S 220-541874
Section five. Award of contract
Contract No
1
Title
South East Business Boost II
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
9 April 2021
five.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 3
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
KENT INVICTA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE INDUSTRY & ENTERPRISE LTD
Ashford Business Point, Waterbrook Avenue, Sevington
Ashford
TN24 0LH
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKJ4 - Kent
The contractor is an SME
Yes
five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Initial estimated total value of the contract/lot: £710,000
Total value of the contract/lot: £665,902
Section six. Complementary information
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
Kent County Council
County Road
Maidstone
ME14 1XQ
Country
United Kingdom