Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
Kent County Council
Sessions House
Maidstone
ME14 1XQ
Contact
Mr Cameron Croucher
Telephone
+44 3000411901
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UKJ4 - Kent
Internet address(es)
Main address
Buyer's address
one.3) Communication
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at
Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address
Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted electronically via
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
SC22223 - C-Care Technology Resilience Voucher Scheme
Reference number
DN626053
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 72000000 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
C-Care is cross-Channel Interreg project which aims to respond to some of the socio-economic challenges brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic. C-Care is led by Kent County Council and involves 3 other English and 3 French partner organisations who are jointly implementing the project. C-Care will provide support to businesses and individuals at risk of exclusion in the France-Channel England area to aid economic recovery.
As part of this project, the Growth & Communities Division within GET is leading on a technology resilience voucher pilot scheme to provide support to Kent businesses. The scheme was launched in November 2021 when Kent SMEs could start to apply for vouchers. A framework of suppliers was procured during the summer of 2021 which resulted in seven suppliers being selected and approved to provide services to Kent businesses under the voucher scheme. A total number of 385 applications were received between November 2021 and June 2022 and 320 were approved. However, 74 (23.12%) of these which have been withdrawn - the main reason being given by SMEs was a lack of a suitable supplier on the framework to deliver the service they wanted. Not every lot was filled by suppliers and only 4 of the 7 suppliers have actually been selected by beneficiary SMEs to complete a voucher project. Some current suppliers have also indicated that they are very near to reaching full capacity to deliver voucher projects.
As of July 2022, the scheme has committed around 50% of the available funding but KCC needs to procure the services of some additional suppliers (businesses offering a range of digital services to other companies) with whom, successful voucher applicants can carry out a technology resilience project which will be paid for by the C-Care project. A detailed analysis of the scheme to date has indicated that additional suppliers should be sourced to provide services against the following lots to respond to demand from Kent SMEs:
• Web-Based Activities
• Digital Marketing and Promotional Activities
• Equipment and Small Investments to Facilitate Digital Activity
The scheme supports Kent businesses in making changes to their business models or developing new digital processes to build in resilience to the company and finding new ways to connect to customers e.g. adopting a click and collect procedure, putting in place an online payment process, adapting a website to engage with new customers etc.
The voucher scheme is worth around £300,000 (depending on the Euro exchange rate) and aims to support 300 Kent-based SMEs (small & medium sizes enterprises). The scheme launched in November 2021 and will run until the end of 2022 (subject to the number of applications received and the voucher budget being allocated).
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: Yes
Tenders may be submitted for all lots
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
Web-based Activities
Lot No
1
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 48000000 - Software package and information systems
- 72000000 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKJ4 - Kent
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
C-Care is cross-Channel Interreg project which aims to respond to some of the socio-economic challenges brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic. C-Care is led by Kent County Council and involves 3 other English and 3 French partner organisations who are jointly implementing the project. C-Care will provide support to businesses and individuals at risk of exclusion in the France-Channel England area to aid economic recovery.
As part of this project, the Growth & Communities Division within GET is leading on a technology resilience voucher pilot scheme to provide support to Kent businesses. The scheme was launched in November 2021 when Kent SMEs could start to apply for vouchers. A framework of suppliers was procured during the summer of 2021 which resulted in seven suppliers being selected and approved to provide services to Kent businesses under the voucher scheme. A total number of 385 applications were received between November 2021 and June 2022 and 320 were approved. However, 74 (23.12%) of these which have been withdrawn - the main reason being given by SMEs was a lack of a suitable supplier on the framework to deliver the service they wanted. Not every lot was filled by suppliers and only 4 of the 7 suppliers have actually been selected by beneficiary SMEs to complete a voucher project. Some current suppliers have also indicated that they are very near to reaching full capacity to deliver voucher projects.
As of July 2022, the scheme has committed around 50% of the available funding but KCC needs to procure the services of some additional suppliers (businesses offering a range of digital services to other companies) with whom, successful voucher applicants can carry out a technology resilience project which will be paid for by the C-Care project. A detailed analysis of the scheme to date has indicated that additional suppliers should be sourced to provide services against the following lots to respond to demand from Kent SMEs:
• Web-Based Activities
• Digital Marketing and Promotional Activities
• Equipment and Small Investments to Facilitate Digital Activity
The scheme supports Kent businesses in making changes to their business models or developing new digital processes to build in resilience to the company and finding new ways to connect to customers e.g. adopting a click and collect procedure, putting in place an online payment process, adapting a website to engage with new customers etc.
The voucher scheme is worth around £300,000 (depending on the Euro exchange rate) and aims to support 300 Kent-based SMEs (small & medium sizes enterprises). The scheme launched in November 2021 and will run until the end of 2022 (subject to the number of applications received and the voucher budget being allocated).
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
6
This contract is subject to renewal
No
two.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: No
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
The scheme is being funded by the European Regional Development Fund and the Interreg France-Channel-England Programme.
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
Remote Working Technologies
Lot No
2
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 72000000 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKJ4 - Kent
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
C-Care is cross-Channel Interreg project which aims to respond to some of the socio-economic challenges brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic. C-Care is led by Kent County Council and involves 3 other English and 3 French partner organisations who are jointly implementing the project. C-Care will provide support to businesses and individuals at risk of exclusion in the France-Channel England area to aid economic recovery.
As part of this project, the Growth & Communities Division within GET is leading on a technology resilience voucher pilot scheme to provide support to Kent businesses. The scheme was launched in November 2021 when Kent SMEs could start to apply for vouchers. A framework of suppliers was procured during the summer of 2021 which resulted in seven suppliers being selected and approved to provide services to Kent businesses under the voucher scheme. A total number of 385 applications were received between November 2021 and June 2022 and 320 were approved. However, 74 (23.12%) of these which have been withdrawn - the main reason being given by SMEs was a lack of a suitable supplier on the framework to deliver the service they wanted. Not every lot was filled by suppliers and only 4 of the 7 suppliers have actually been selected by beneficiary SMEs to complete a voucher project. Some current suppliers have also indicated that they are very near to reaching full capacity to deliver voucher projects.
As of July 2022, the scheme has committed around 50% of the available funding but KCC needs to procure the services of some additional suppliers (businesses offering a range of digital services to other companies) with whom, successful voucher applicants can carry out a technology resilience project which will be paid for by the C-Care project. A detailed analysis of the scheme to date has indicated that additional suppliers should be sourced to provide services against the following lots to respond to demand from Kent SMEs:
• Web-Based Activities
• Digital Marketing and Promotional Activities
• Equipment and Small Investments to Facilitate Digital Activity
The scheme supports Kent businesses in making changes to their business models or developing new digital processes to build in resilience to the company and finding new ways to connect to customers e.g. adopting a click and collect procedure, putting in place an online payment process, adapting a website to engage with new customers etc.
The voucher scheme is worth around £300,000 (depending on the Euro exchange rate) and aims to support 300 Kent-based SMEs (small & medium sizes enterprises). The scheme launched in November 2021 and will run until the end of 2022 (subject to the number of applications received and the voucher budget being allocated).
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
6
This contract is subject to renewal
No
two.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: No
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
The scheme is being funded by the European Regional Development Fund and the Interreg France-Channel-England Programme.
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
Software solutions & Apps
Lot No
3
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 72000000 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKJ4 - Kent
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
C-Care is cross-Channel Interreg project which aims to respond to some of the socio-economic challenges brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic. C-Care is led by Kent County Council and involves 3 other English and 3 French partner organisations who are jointly implementing the project. C-Care will provide support to businesses and individuals at risk of exclusion in the France-Channel England area to aid economic recovery.
As part of this project, the Growth & Communities Division within GET is leading on a technology resilience voucher pilot scheme to provide support to Kent businesses. The scheme was launched in November 2021 when Kent SMEs could start to apply for vouchers. A framework of suppliers was procured during the summer of 2021 which resulted in seven suppliers being selected and approved to provide services to Kent businesses under the voucher scheme. A total number of 385 applications were received between November 2021 and June 2022 and 320 were approved. However, 74 (23.12%) of these which have been withdrawn - the main reason being given by SMEs was a lack of a suitable supplier on the framework to deliver the service they wanted. Not every lot was filled by suppliers and only 4 of the 7 suppliers have actually been selected by beneficiary SMEs to complete a voucher project. Some current suppliers have also indicated that they are very near to reaching full capacity to deliver voucher projects.
As of July 2022, the scheme has committed around 50% of the available funding but KCC needs to procure the services of some additional suppliers (businesses offering a range of digital services to other companies) with whom, successful voucher applicants can carry out a technology resilience project which will be paid for by the C-Care project. A detailed analysis of the scheme to date has indicated that additional suppliers should be sourced to provide services against the following lots to respond to demand from Kent SMEs:
• Web-Based Activities
• Digital Marketing and Promotional Activities
• Equipment and Small Investments to Facilitate Digital Activity
The scheme supports Kent businesses in making changes to their business models or developing new digital processes to build in resilience to the company and finding new ways to connect to customers e.g. adopting a click and collect procedure, putting in place an online payment process, adapting a website to engage with new customers etc.
The voucher scheme is worth around £300,000 (depending on the Euro exchange rate) and aims to support 300 Kent-based SMEs (small & medium sizes enterprises). The scheme launched in November 2021 and will run until the end of 2022 (subject to the number of applications received and the voucher budget being allocated).
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
6
This contract is subject to renewal
No
two.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: No
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
The scheme is being funded by the European Regional Development Fund and the Interreg France-Channel-England Programme.
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
Digital Marketing & Promotional Activities
Lot No
4
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 72000000 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKJ4 - Kent
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
C-Care is cross-Channel Interreg project which aims to respond to some of the socio-economic challenges brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic. C-Care is led by Kent County Council and involves 3 other English and 3 French partner organisations who are jointly implementing the project. C-Care will provide support to businesses and individuals at risk of exclusion in the France-Channel England area to aid economic recovery.
As part of this project, the Growth & Communities Division within GET is leading on a technology resilience voucher pilot scheme to provide support to Kent businesses. The scheme was launched in November 2021 when Kent SMEs could start to apply for vouchers. A framework of suppliers was procured during the summer of 2021 which resulted in seven suppliers being selected and approved to provide services to Kent businesses under the voucher scheme. A total number of 385 applications were received between November 2021 and June 2022 and 320 were approved. However, 74 (23.12%) of these which have been withdrawn - the main reason being given by SMEs was a lack of a suitable supplier on the framework to deliver the service they wanted. Not every lot was filled by suppliers and only 4 of the 7 suppliers have actually been selected by beneficiary SMEs to complete a voucher project. Some current suppliers have also indicated that they are very near to reaching full capacity to deliver voucher projects.
As of July 2022, the scheme has committed around 50% of the available funding but KCC needs to procure the services of some additional suppliers (businesses offering a range of digital services to other companies) with whom, successful voucher applicants can carry out a technology resilience project which will be paid for by the C-Care project. A detailed analysis of the scheme to date has indicated that additional suppliers should be sourced to provide services against the following lots to respond to demand from Kent SMEs:
• Web-Based Activities
• Digital Marketing and Promotional Activities
• Equipment and Small Investments to Facilitate Digital Activity
The scheme supports Kent businesses in making changes to their business models or developing new digital processes to build in resilience to the company and finding new ways to connect to customers e.g. adopting a click and collect procedure, putting in place an online payment process, adapting a website to engage with new customers etc.
The voucher scheme is worth around £300,000 (depending on the Euro exchange rate) and aims to support 300 Kent-based SMEs (small & medium sizes enterprises). The scheme launched in November 2021 and will run until the end of 2022 (subject to the number of applications received and the voucher budget being allocated).
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
6
This contract is subject to renewal
No
two.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: No
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
The scheme is being funded by the European Regional Development Fund and the Interreg France-Channel-England Programme.
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
Skills & Capacity Building
Lot No
5
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 72000000 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKJ4 - Kent
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
C-Care is cross-Channel Interreg project which aims to respond to some of the socio-economic challenges brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic. C-Care is led by Kent County Council and involves 3 other English and 3 French partner organisations who are jointly implementing the project. C-Care will provide support to businesses and individuals at risk of exclusion in the France-Channel England area to aid economic recovery.
As part of this project, the Growth & Communities Division within GET is leading on a technology resilience voucher pilot scheme to provide support to Kent businesses. The scheme was launched in November 2021 when Kent SMEs could start to apply for vouchers. A framework of suppliers was procured during the summer of 2021 which resulted in seven suppliers being selected and approved to provide services to Kent businesses under the voucher scheme. A total number of 385 applications were received between November 2021 and June 2022 and 320 were approved. However, 74 (23.12%) of these which have been withdrawn - the main reason being given by SMEs was a lack of a suitable supplier on the framework to deliver the service they wanted. Not every lot was filled by suppliers and only 4 of the 7 suppliers have actually been selected by beneficiary SMEs to complete a voucher project. Some current suppliers have also indicated that they are very near to reaching full capacity to deliver voucher projects.
As of July 2022, the scheme has committed around 50% of the available funding but KCC needs to procure the services of some additional suppliers (businesses offering a range of digital services to other companies) with whom, successful voucher applicants can carry out a technology resilience project which will be paid for by the C-Care project. A detailed analysis of the scheme to date has indicated that additional suppliers should be sourced to provide services against the following lots to respond to demand from Kent SMEs:
• Web-Based Activities
• Digital Marketing and Promotional Activities
• Equipment and Small Investments to Facilitate Digital Activity
The scheme supports Kent businesses in making changes to their business models or developing new digital processes to build in resilience to the company and finding new ways to connect to customers e.g. adopting a click and collect procedure, putting in place an online payment process, adapting a website to engage with new customers etc.
The voucher scheme is worth around £300,000 (depending on the Euro exchange rate) and aims to support 300 Kent-based SMEs (small & medium sizes enterprises). The scheme launched in November 2021 and will run until the end of 2022 (subject to the number of applications received and the voucher budget being allocated).
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
6
This contract is subject to renewal
No
two.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: No
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
The scheme is being funded by the European Regional Development Fund and the Interreg France-Channel-England Programme.
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
Equipment & small investments to facilitate digital activity
Lot No
6
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 72000000 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKJ4 - Kent
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
C-Care is cross-Channel Interreg project which aims to respond to some of the socio-economic challenges brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic. C-Care is led by Kent County Council and involves 3 other English and 3 French partner organisations who are jointly implementing the project. C-Care will provide support to businesses and individuals at risk of exclusion in the France-Channel England area to aid economic recovery.
As part of this project, the Growth & Communities Division within GET is leading on a technology resilience voucher pilot scheme to provide support to Kent businesses. The scheme was launched in November 2021 when Kent SMEs could start to apply for vouchers. A framework of suppliers was procured during the summer of 2021 which resulted in seven suppliers being selected and approved to provide services to Kent businesses under the voucher scheme. A total number of 385 applications were received between November 2021 and June 2022 and 320 were approved. However, 74 (23.12%) of these which have been withdrawn - the main reason being given by SMEs was a lack of a suitable supplier on the framework to deliver the service they wanted. Not every lot was filled by suppliers and only 4 of the 7 suppliers have actually been selected by beneficiary SMEs to complete a voucher project. Some current suppliers have also indicated that they are very near to reaching full capacity to deliver voucher projects.
As of July 2022, the scheme has committed around 50% of the available funding but KCC needs to procure the services of some additional suppliers (businesses offering a range of digital services to other companies) with whom, successful voucher applicants can carry out a technology resilience project which will be paid for by the C-Care project. A detailed analysis of the scheme to date has indicated that additional suppliers should be sourced to provide services against the following lots to respond to demand from Kent SMEs:
• Web-Based Activities
• Digital Marketing and Promotional Activities
• Equipment and Small Investments to Facilitate Digital Activity
The scheme supports Kent businesses in making changes to their business models or developing new digital processes to build in resilience to the company and finding new ways to connect to customers e.g. adopting a click and collect procedure, putting in place an online payment process, adapting a website to engage with new customers etc.
The voucher scheme is worth around £300,000 (depending on the Euro exchange rate) and aims to support 300 Kent-based SMEs (small & medium sizes enterprises). The scheme launched in November 2021 and will run until the end of 2022 (subject to the number of applications received and the voucher budget being allocated).
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
6
This contract is subject to renewal
No
two.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: No
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
The scheme is being funded by the European Regional Development Fund and the Interreg France-Channel-England Programme.
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.1) Type of procedure
Open procedure
four.1.3) Information about a framework agreement or a dynamic purchasing system
The procurement involves the establishment of a framework agreement
Framework agreement with several operators
Envisaged maximum number of participants to the framework agreement: 20
In the case of framework agreements, provide justification for any duration exceeding 4 years:
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: No
four.2) Administrative information
four.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate
Date
1 September 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
1 September 2022
Local time
12:00pm
Section six. Complementary information
six.1) Information about recurrence
This is a recurrent procurement: Yes
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
Kent County Council
Invicta House
Maidstone
ME14 1XQ
Country
United Kingdom