- Scope of the procurement
- Lot 1 – Enabling Growth and Scaling Derry City & Strabane District Council and Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council
- Lot 2-Enabling Growth and Scaling Mid & East Antrim Borough Council and Antrim & Newtownabbey Borough Council
- Lot 3 - Enabling Growth and Scaling Belfast City Council
- Lot 4 - Enabling Growth and Scaling Ards & North Down Borough Council, Newry, Mourne and Down District Council; and Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council
- Lot 5 - Enabling Growth and Scaling Fermanagh & Omagh District Council, Mid Ulster Council and Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council
Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
Belfast City Council
9 Adelaide Street
Belfast
BT2 8GD
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UKN - Northern Ireland
Internet address(es)
Main address
https://www.belfastcity.gov.uk
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
T2407a - Northern Ireland Enterprise Support Service ‘NIESS’ Framework A (preferred Contractors) Growth and Scaling
Reference number
T2407a
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
The Local Authorities in Northern Ireland have developed a new enterprise support service ‘ESS’ which aims to put in place a more ambitious approach to the delivery of start-up and growth support which seeks to revamp the current offer and increase the number, survival and growth rates of new businesses across the region. The service aims to provide a set of connected ESS where individuals, entrepreneurs or businesses can access a continuum of support to meet their needs, aligned with the relevant stage of their business.
Given the varying needs of the individuals, entrepreneurs and businesses that will likely engage with this service across the business lifecycle, the Local Authorities have identified a need to put in place a framework of ESS, this NIESS Framework A, which will:
a) Be proactive and flexible to address market needs.
b) Incentivise market development activity.
c) Provide a core programme of service delivery across the region.
d) Provide access to specialists in certain sectors / target groups.
e) Be flexible in responding to future variability in demand and funding.
f) Provide quality services that meet user needs; and
g) Support the Local Authorities strategic ambitions aligned with The Northern Ireland Draft Programme for Government, 10x Economy – Northern Ireland’s Decade of Innovation, Economy 2030, draft Green Growth Strategy for Northern Ireland, Invest NI’s forward business plans, the City/Growth deals, and inclusive growth focus of the individual Council community plans.
The NIESS, will comprise of the following three frameworks/ contracts which are being procured separately:
a) NIESS Framework A (preferred Contractors) - Growth and Scaling;
b) NIESS Framework A (preferred Contractors) - Engage and Foundation; and
b) NIESS Framework B (Subject Matter Experts and Sector Experts).
This procurement relates to the award of a contract to the Contractor for each of five (5) geographic Lots for NIESS Framework A (preferred Contractors) covering the Growth and Scaling requirement. The geographic Lots are based on groupings of the 11 Local Authorities and are for the provision of ‘growth and scaling’ level supports.
The other 10 Local Authorities (Contract Users) included are:
Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council
Ards and North Down Borough Council
Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council
Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council
Derry City and Strabane District Council
Fermanagh and Omagh District Council - Enniskillen Office
Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council
Mid and East Antrim Borough Council
Mid Ulster District Council - Dungannon
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: Yes
two.1.7) Total value of the procurement (excluding VAT)
Value excluding VAT: £14,000,000
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
Lot 1 – Enabling Growth and Scaling Derry City & Strabane District Council and Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council
Lot No
Lot 1
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 79400000 - Business and management consultancy and related services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKN - Northern Ireland
Main site or place of performance
Derry City & Strabane District Council and Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
Enabling Growth is aimed at stimulating growth within existing businesses across the area. All businesses receiving support through this element have potential to be ‘employer enterprises’. They will receive differentiated and tailored support focused on cohorts such as SME start-up enterprise founders, who can be the life blood of high streets and local economies; and innovation-driven enterprises with a strong aspiration to grow, with a focus on regional/ export markets. Support would include; access to ‘live’ masterclasses, post-start mentoring, connections to sources of finance and ‘grow-on’ accommodation; and peer support/ networks.
The scaling element entails a hand-holding support for scaling companies in the early phases of their transition to other provision.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion - Name: Quality criteria - Programme Planning, Development, Management including Building Market Demand / Weighting: 18
Quality criterion - Name: Quality criteria - Participant Recruitment, Diagnostic Services and Operational Delivery / Weighting: 25
Quality criterion - Name: Quality criteria - Resource Plan / Weighting: 14
Quality criterion - Name: Quality criteria - Governance, Management and Reporting / Weighting: 8
Quality criterion - Name: Cost / Weighting: 20
Quality criterion - Name: Social Value / Weighting: 15
Price - Weighting: 20
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: Yes
Description of options
The Contract for each Lot shall be effective from the date of award for an initial period up to 31st March 2025 (approx. 18 months based on contract start date of 1st October 2023). Any extension may be subject to further approval by the Council (including other Local Authorities) and funders for the relevant Lot, availability of funding and satisfactory performance of the Contractor.
Funding has been secured for service activity up to 31 March 2025 initially. Any activity following this date will be subject to securing additional funding.
two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
Lot 2-Enabling Growth and Scaling Mid & East Antrim Borough Council and Antrim & Newtownabbey Borough Council
Lot No
Lot 2
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 79400000 - Business and management consultancy and related services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKN - Northern Ireland
Main site or place of performance
Mid & East Antrim Borough Council and Antrim & Newtownabbey Borough Council
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
Enabling Growth is aimed at stimulating growth within existing businesses across the area. All businesses receiving support through this element have potential to be ‘employer enterprises’. They will receive differentiated and tailored support focused on cohorts such as SME start-up enterprise founders, who can be the life blood of high streets and local economies; and innovation-driven enterprises with a strong aspiration to grow, with a focus on regional/ export markets. Support would include; access to ‘live’ masterclasses, post-start mentoring, connections to sources of finance and ‘grow-on’ accommodation; and peer support/ networks.
The scaling element entails a hand-holding support for scaling companies in the early phases of their transition to other provision.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion - Name: Quality criteria - Programme Planning, Development, Management including Building Market Demand / Weighting: 18
Quality criterion - Name: Quality criteria - Participant Recruitment, Diagnostic Services and Operational Delivery / Weighting: 25
Quality criterion - Name: Quality criteria - Resource Plan / Weighting: 14
Quality criterion - Name: Quality criteria - Governance, Management and Reporting / Weighting: 8
Quality criterion - Name: Cost / Weighting: 20
Quality criterion - Name: Social Value / Weighting: 15
Price - Weighting: 20
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: Yes
Description of options
The Contract for each Lot shall be effective from the date of award for an initial period up to 31st March 2025 (approx. 18 months based on contract start date of 1st October 2023). Any extension may be subject to further approval by the Council (including other Local Authorities) and funders for the relevant Lot, availability of funding and satisfactory performance of the Contractor.
Funding has been secured for service activity up to 31 March 2025 initially. Any activity following this date will be subject to securing additional funding.
two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
Lot 3 - Enabling Growth and Scaling Belfast City Council
Lot No
Lot 3
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 79400000 - Business and management consultancy and related services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKN - Northern Ireland
Main site or place of performance
Belfast
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
Enabling Growth is aimed at stimulating growth within existing businesses across the area. All businesses receiving support through this element have potential to be ‘employer enterprises’. They will receive differentiated and tailored support focused on cohorts such as SME start-up enterprise founders, who can be the life blood of high streets and local economies; and innovation-driven enterprises with a strong aspiration to grow, with a focus on regional/ export markets. Support would include; access to ‘live’ masterclasses, post-start mentoring, connections to sources of finance and ‘grow-on’ accommodation; and peer support/ networks.
The scaling element entails a hand-holding support for scaling companies in the early phases of their transition to other provision.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion - Name: Quality criteria - Programme Planning, Development, Management including Building Market Demand / Weighting: 18
Quality criterion - Name: Quality criteria - Participant Recruitment, Diagnostic Services and Operational Delivery / Weighting: 25
Quality criterion - Name: Quality criteria - Resource Plan / Weighting: 14
Quality criterion - Name: Quality criteria - Governance, Management and Reporting / Weighting: 8
Quality criterion - Name: Cost / Weighting: 20
Quality criterion - Name: Social Value / Weighting: 15
Price - Weighting: 20
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: Yes
Description of options
The Contract for each Lot shall be effective from the date of award for an initial period up to 31st March 2025 (approx. 18 months based on contract start date of 1st October 2023). Any extension may be subject to further approval by the Council (including other Local Authorities) and funders for the relevant Lot, availability of funding and satisfactory performance of the Contractor.
Funding has been secured for service activity up to 31 March 2025 initially. Any activity following this date will be subject to securing additional funding.
two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
Lot 4 - Enabling Growth and Scaling Ards & North Down Borough Council, Newry, Mourne and Down District Council; and Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council
Lot No
Lot 4
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 79400000 - Business and management consultancy and related services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKN - Northern Ireland
Main site or place of performance
Ards & North Down Borough Council, Newry, Mourne and Down District Council; and Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
Enabling Growth is aimed at stimulating growth within existing businesses across the area. All businesses receiving support through this element have potential to be ‘employer enterprises’. They will receive differentiated and tailored support focused on cohorts such as SME start-up enterprise founders, who can be the life blood of high streets and local economies; and innovation-driven enterprises with a strong aspiration to grow, with a focus on regional/ export markets. Support would include; access to ‘live’ masterclasses, post-start mentoring, connections to sources of finance and ‘grow-on’ accommodation; and peer support/ networks.
The scaling element entails a hand-holding support for scaling companies in the early phases of their transition to other provision.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion - Name: Quality criteria - Programme Planning, Development, Management including Building Market Demand / Weighting: 18
Quality criterion - Name: Quality criteria - Participant Recruitment, Diagnostic Services and Operational Delivery / Weighting: 25
Quality criterion - Name: Quality criteria - Resource Plan / Weighting: 14
Quality criterion - Name: Quality criteria - Governance, Management and Reporting / Weighting: 8
Quality criterion - Name: Cost / Weighting: 20
Quality criterion - Name: Social Value / Weighting: 15
Price - Weighting: 20
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: Yes
Description of options
The Contract for each Lot shall be effective from the date of award for an initial period up to 31st March 2025 (approx. 18 months based on contract start date of 1st October 2023). Any extension may be subject to further approval by the Council (including other Local Authorities) and funders for the relevant Lot, availability of funding and satisfactory performance of the Contractor.
Funding has been secured for service activity up to 31 March 2025 initially. Any activity following this date will be subject to securing additional funding.
two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
Lot 5 - Enabling Growth and Scaling Fermanagh & Omagh District Council, Mid Ulster Council and Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council
Lot No
Lot 5
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 79400000 - Business and management consultancy and related services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKN - Northern Ireland
Main site or place of performance
Fermanagh & Omagh District Council, Mid Ulster Council and Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
Enabling Growth is aimed at stimulating growth within existing businesses across the area. All businesses receiving support through this element have potential to be ‘employer enterprises’. They will receive differentiated and tailored support focused on cohorts such as SME start-up enterprise founders, who can be the life blood of high streets and local economies; and innovation-driven enterprises with a strong aspiration to grow, with a focus on regional/ export markets. Support would include; access to ‘live’ masterclasses, post-start mentoring, connections to sources of finance and ‘grow-on’ accommodation; and peer support/ networks.
The scaling element entails a hand-holding support for scaling companies in the early phases of their transition to other provision.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion - Name: Quality criteria - Programme Planning, Development, Management including Building Market Demand / Weighting: 18
Quality criterion - Name: Quality criteria - Participant Recruitment, Diagnostic Services and Operational Delivery / Weighting: 25
Quality criterion - Name: Quality criteria - Resource Plan / Weighting: 14
Quality criterion - Name: Quality criteria - Governance, Management and Reporting / Weighting: 8
Quality criterion - Name: Cost / Weighting: 20
Quality criterion - Name: Social Value / Weighting: 15
Price - Weighting: 20
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: Yes
Description of options
The Contract for each Lot shall be effective from the date of award for an initial period up to 31st March 2025 (approx. 18 months based on contract start date of 1st October 2023). Any extension may be subject to further approval by the Council (including other Local Authorities) and funders for the relevant Lot, availability of funding and satisfactory performance of the Contractor.
Funding has been secured for service activity up to 31 March 2025 initially. Any activity following this date will be subject to securing additional funding.
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.1.3) Information about a framework agreement or a dynamic purchasing system
The procurement involves the establishment of a framework agreement
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: 2022/S 000-035769
Section five. Award of contract
Contract No
T2407a
Lot No
Lot 1
Title
Northern Ireland Enterprise Support Service ‘NIESS’ Framework A (preferred Contractors) Growth and Scaling
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
25 September 2023
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
Deirdre Fitzpatrick & Associates
Belfast
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKN - Northern Ireland
The contractor is an SME
Yes
five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot: £2,100,000
Section five. Award of contract
Contract No
T2407a
Lot No
Lot 2
Title
Northern Ireland Enterprise Support Service ‘NIESS’ Framework A (preferred Contractors) Growth and Scaling
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
25 September 2023
five.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 1
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Mallusk Enterprise Park
Newtownabbey
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKN - Northern Ireland
The contractor is an SME
Yes
five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot: £1,100,000
five.2.5) Information about subcontracting
The contract is likely to be subcontracted
Section five. Award of contract
Contract No
T2407a
Lot No
Lot 3
Title
Northern Ireland Enterprise Support Service ‘NIESS’ Framework A (preferred Contractors) Growth and Scaling
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
25 September 2023
five.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 2
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Full Circle
Belfast
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKN - Northern Ireland
The contractor is an SME
Yes
five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot: £2,800,000
five.2.5) Information about subcontracting
The contract is likely to be subcontracted
Section five. Award of contract
Contract No
T2407a
Lot No
Lot 4
Title
Northern Ireland Enterprise Support Service ‘NIESS’ Framework A (preferred Contractors) Growth and Scaling
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
25 September 2023
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
Full Circle
Belfast
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKN - Northern Ireland
The contractor is an SME
Yes
five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot: £3,800,000
five.2.5) Information about subcontracting
The contract is likely to be subcontracted
Section five. Award of contract
Contract No
T2407a
Lot No
Lot 5
Title
Northern Ireland Enterprise Support Service ‘NIESS’ Framework A (preferred Contractors) Growth and Scaling
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
25 September 2023
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
Full Circle
Belfast
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKN - Northern Ireland
The contractor is an SME
Yes
five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot: £4,300,000
five.2.5) Information about subcontracting
The contract is likely to be subcontracted
Section six. Complementary information
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
Royal Courts of Justice
Belfast
BT1 3JF
Country
United Kingdom