Section one: Contracting authority/entity
one.1) Name and addresses
Llywodraeth Cymru / Welsh Government
Gwasanaethau Caffael Corfforaethol / Corporate Procurement Services, Parc Cathays / Cathays Park
Caerdydd / Cardiff
CF10 3NQ
Telephone
+44 3000625264
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UKL - Wales
Internet address(es)
Main address
https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/
Buyer's address
https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA0007
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
Business Wales Accelerated Growth Programme
Reference number
C36/2014/2015
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 79000000 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 79000000 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKL - Wales
two.2.4) Description of the procurement at the time of conclusion of the contract:
The Welsh Ministers are seeking to engage with quality providers to deliver a key segment of their support to start-up businesses and Small and Medium sized Enterprises (SMEs), typically trading up to 7 years (exceptions will be considered beyond this limit), that have high growth aspirations and potential.
The successful contractor will be expected to work with a range of start ups and existing SMEs within Wales. The ratio of start ups to existing SMEs supported will be in the region of 30/70. Welsh Government business support will be capped (amount to be confirmed) and support over and above this level will attract a fee. Tenderers will need to evidence how this will be achieved
The Accelerated Growth Programme will be delivered through one lead contractor on a pan Wales basis, who will need to demonstrate that they have the skill sets and resources required to support high growth SMEs and start-ups in all sectors. It is intended that the contract period will run from 1 January 2015 to 31 December 2020. Annual break clauses will be included in the contract which may be exercised for non contractual compliance, reduction in Welsh Government budgetary allocation, change in service direction/policy or any other reason deemed appropriate by the Welsh Ministers to exercise the break clause.
Please note that consortia bids are encouraged for this tender exercise. Please refer to www.wales.gov.uk/jointbidding for advice and assistance on joint bidding. Furthermore, it is the intention of Welsh Government to host a workshop to provide support and guidance to potential tenderers on joint bidding opportunities. Support for potential consortium members will be provided by the Wales Cooperative Centre. Please note that this project is subject to European Funding approval. Funding has therefore only been approved for the first year of the contract term. Please also note that the value is indicative only and is dependant on demand for the service which cannot be guaranteed.
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement, dynamic purchasing system or concession
Duration in months
12
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.2) Administrative information
four.2.1) Contract award notice concerning this contract
Notice number: 2021/S 252-672014
Section five. Award of contract/concession
Contract No
C36/2014/2015
Title
Business Wales Accelerated Growth Programme
five.2) Award of contract/concession
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract/concession award decision:
31 May 2023
five.2.2) Information about tenders
The contract/concession has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor/concessionaire
Winning Pitch
140 Aldersgate Street,
London
EC1A 4HY
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UK - United Kingdom
The contractor/concessionaire is an SME
Yes
five.2.4) Information on value of the contract/lot/concession (at the time of conclusion of the contract;excluding VAT)
Total value of the procurement: £26,685,860
Section six. Complementary information
six.3) Additional information
Need for modification brought about by circumstances which a diligent contracting authority/entity could not foresee. Description of the circumstances which rendered the modification necessary and explanation of the unforeseen nature of these circumstances:
This modification notice is required as a result of the abandonment of the procurement of the Lot 3 Accelerated Growth Programme (AGP) C079/2021/2022 on the Business Wales Contract.
The modification notice is necessary to ensure a continuity of business support service provision to entrepreneurs and high growth businesses across Wales whilst a re-procurement is undertaken. Failure to extend the current AGP contract C36/2014/2015 would result in a break in provision, which carries reputational risk to Welsh Government, impacting the growth potential of new and existing high growth businesses and lead to no service being in place.
(WA Ref:132076)
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
High Court
Royal Courts of Justice, The Strand
London
WC2A 2LL
Telephone
+44 2079477501
Country
United Kingdom
Section seven: Modifications to the contract/concession
seven.1) Description of the procurement after the modifications
seven.1.1) Main CPV code
- 79000000 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security
seven.1.3) Place of performance
NUTS code
- UKL - Wales
seven.1.4) Description of the procurement:
The Welsh Ministers are seeking to engage with quality providers to deliver a key segment of their support to start-up businesses and Small and Medium sized Enterprises (SMEs), typically trading up to 7 years (exceptions will be considered beyond this limit), that have high growth aspirations and potential.
The successful contractor will be expected to work with a range of start ups and existing SMEs within Wales. The ratio of start ups to existing SMEs supported will be in the region of 30/70. Welsh Government business support will be capped (amount to be confirmed) and support over and above this level will attract a fee. Tenderers will need to evidence how this will be achieved
The Accelerated Growth Programme will be delivered through one lead contractor on a pan Wales basis, who will need to demonstrate that they have the skill sets and resources required to support high growth SMEs and start-ups in all sectors. It is intended that the contract period will run from 1 January 2015 to 31 December 2020. Annual break clauses will be included in the contract which may be exercised for non contractual compliance, reduction in Welsh Government budgetary allocation, change in service direction/policy or any other reason deemed appropriate by the Welsh Ministers to exercise the break clause.
Please note that consortia bids are encouraged for this tender exercise. Please refer to www.wales.gov.uk/jointbidding for advice and assistance on joint bidding. Furthermore, it is the intention of Welsh Government to host a workshop to provide support and guidance to potential tenderers on joint bidding opportunities. Support for potential consortium members will be provided by the Wales Cooperative Centre. Please note that this project is subject to European Funding approval. Funding has therefore only been approved for the first year of the contract term. Please also note that the value is indicative only and is dependant on demand for the service which cannot be guaranteed.
seven.1.5) Duration of the contract, framework agreement, dynamic purchasing system or concession
Duration in months
12
seven.1.6) Information on value of the contract/lot/concession (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot/concession:
£26,685,860
seven.1.7) Name and address of the contractor/concessionaire
Winning Pitch
140 Aldersgate Street,
London
EC1A 4HY
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UK - United Kingdom
The contractor/concessionaire is an SME
Yes
seven.2) Information about modifications
seven.2.1) Description of the modifications
Nature and extent of the modifications (with indication of possible earlier changes to the contract):
The modification notice is necessary to ensure a continuity of business support service provision to entrepreneurs and high growth businesses across Wales whilst a re-procurement is undertaken. Failure to extend the current AGP contract C36/2014/2015 would result in a break in provision, which carries reputational risk to Welsh Government, impacting the growth potential of new and existing high growth businesses and lead to no service being in place.
seven.2.2) Reasons for modification
Need for modification brought about by circumstances which a diligent contracting authority/entity could not foresee.
Description of the circumstances which rendered the modification necessary and explanation of the unforeseen nature of these circumstances:
This modification notice is required as a result of the abandonment of the procurement of the Lot 3 Accelerated Growth Programme (AGP) C079/2021/2022 on the Business Wales Contract.
seven.2.3) Increase in price
Updated total contract value before the modifications (taking into account possible earlier contract modifications, price adaptions and average inflation)
Value excluding VAT: £16,666,667
Total contract value after the modifications
Value excluding VAT: £26,685,860