Scope
Reference
ID 5827132
Description
InterTradeIreland is the Trade and Business Development Implementation Body, one of six cross-border bodies established under the 1998 Belfast Agreement.
InterTradeIreland's mission is to identify and help realise opportunities to improve competitiveness, generate economic growth, and create sustainable, quality jobs in both jurisdictions, through increased levels of North/South trade and co-operation on innovation and business development opportunities.
InterTradeIreland, under the Shared Island Enterprise Scheme, aim to appoint up to four Suppliers to design, manage and deliver four programmes to promote Women's Entrepreneurship.
This tender has been divided into four separate lots and Suppliers may bid for as many lots as they want. Each lot will be evaluated independently of each other.
Total value (estimated)
- £2,927,240 excluding VAT
- £3,512,688 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 31 August 2025 to 31 December 2028
- 3 years, 4 months, 1 day
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 73000000 - Research and development services and related consultancy services
- 73300000 - Design and execution of research and development
- 79000000 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security
Lot constraints
Description of how multiple lots may be awarded:
Each Lot will be evaluated and awarded independently. There are no restrictions on the number of Lots a Supplier can bid for or be awarded, Suppliers may bid for one, or more Lots as they wish but must have the capacity to deliver on all Lots tendered for. One Supplier will be awarded per lot based on the Most Advantageous Tender (MAT).
Lot ID 5827132 . ID 5827132 LOT 1 - Women Innovating in Research Education Programme (W.I.R.ED)
Description
The W.I.R.ED initiative falls under the Women's Entrepreneurship priority and aims to support the commercialisation of research conducted by female university researchers. It will provide a structured package of support to Principal Investigators (PI) and Researchers at Masters, PhD, and Postdoctoral levels, enabling them to undertake market validation activities and advance towards commercial viability.
It is anticipated that the programme will run to 31 December 2028 with a total budget of £905,000 (excluding VAT). The delivery model is designed to ensure a clear pathway from ideation to commercialisation funding, leveraging existing support structures from InterTradeIreland, Enterprise Ireland, Invest Northern Ireland, and academic institutions and research organisations across the island.
Lot value (estimated)
- £905,000 excluding VAT
- £1,086,000 including VAT
Same for all lots
CPV classifications and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot ID 5827132: Lot 2. LOT 2 - Shared Growth Programme
Description
Shared Growth is an all-island initiative designed to support women-led businesses in achieving sustainable growth and with ambition to trade cross-border. Delivered by InterTradeIreland (ITI) under the Shared Island Enterprise Scheme, this programme will provide structured training, mentorship, and strategic support to help women entrepreneurs grow their businesses, increase their market presence, and enhance their leadership capabilities.
It is anticipated that this programme will run to 31 December 2028 with a total maximum budget of the sterling equivalent of £800,470 (excluding VAT). The delivery model will ensure tailored support for businesses, providing structured learning, peer networking, and expert mentorship. These programmes will also leverage existing support structures from InterTradeIreland, Enterprise Ireland, Invest Northern Ireland, and other key stakeholders to maximise impact and sustainability.
Lot value (estimated)
- £800,470 excluding VAT
- £960,564 including VAT
Same for all lots
CPV classifications and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot ID 5827132: Lot 3. LOT 3 - Scale Together Programme
Description
Scale Together is an all-island initiative designed to support women-led businesses in achieving sustainable growth and international expansion. Delivered by InterTradeIreland (ITI) under the Shared Island Enterprise Scheme, this programme will provide structured training, mentorship, and strategic support to help women entrepreneurs grow their businesses, increase their market presence, and enhance their leadership capabilities.
It is anticipated that this programme will run for to 31 December 2028 with a total maximum budget of the sterling equivalent of £421,300 (excluding VAT). The delivery model will ensure tailored support for businesses, providing structured learning, peer networking, and expert mentorship. These programmes will also leverage existing support structures from InterTradeIreland, Enterprise Ireland, Invest Northern Ireland, and other key stakeholders to maximise impact and sustainability.
Lot value (estimated)
- £421,300 excluding VAT
- £505,560 including VAT
Same for all lots
CPV classifications and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot ID 5827132: Lot 4. LOT 4 - Future Focused Tech Programme
Description
The Future Focused Tech Programme is an all-island initiative designed
to equip women entrepreneurs with the mentorship, digital skills, confidence, networks, and funding access needed to lead and innovate in tech-enabled businesses.
It is anticipated that this programme will run to 31 December 2028 with a total maximum budget of the sterling equivalent of £800,470 (excluding VAT) The delivery model will ensure tailored support for businesses, providing structured learning, peer networking, and expert mentorship. These programmes will also leverage existing support structures from InterTradeIreland, Enterprise Ireland, Invest Northern Ireland, and other key stakeholders to maximise impact and sustainability.
Lot value (estimated)
- £800,470 excluding VAT
- £960,564 including VAT
Same for all lots
CPV classifications and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Participation
Legal and financial capacity conditions of participation
Lot ID 5827132 . ID 5827132 LOT 1 - Women Innovating in Research Education Programme (W.I.R.ED)
Lot ID 5827132: Lot 2. LOT 2 - Shared Growth Programme
Lot ID 5827132: Lot 3. LOT 3 - Scale Together Programme
Lot ID 5827132: Lot 4. LOT 4 - Future Focused Tech Programme
Not Applicable
Technical ability conditions of participation
Lot ID 5827132 . ID 5827132 LOT 1 - Women Innovating in Research Education Programme (W.I.R.ED)
Lot ID 5827132: Lot 2. LOT 2 - Shared Growth Programme
Lot ID 5827132: Lot 3. LOT 3 - Scale Together Programme
Lot ID 5827132: Lot 4. LOT 4 - Future Focused Tech Programme
As detailed in the Tender Documents
Particular suitability
Lot ID 5827132 . ID 5827132 LOT 1 - Women Innovating in Research Education Programme (W.I.R.ED)
Lot ID 5827132: Lot 2. LOT 2 - Shared Growth Programme
Lot ID 5827132: Lot 3. LOT 3 - Scale Together Programme
Lot ID 5827132: Lot 4. LOT 4 - Future Focused Tech Programme
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
Submission
Enquiry deadline
11 July 2025, 3:00pm
Tender submission deadline
21 July 2025, 3:00pm
Submission address and any special instructions
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
11 August 2025
Award criteria
| Name | Description | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Qualitive Criteria | 5 Criteria - as detailed in the Tender Documents covering: Proposed Methodology Key Personnel Experience Contract Management and Contingency Recruitment and Outreach Activities Social Value |
Quality | 80% |
| Quantitative Criteria | Total Contract Price - as detailed in the Tender Documents |
Price | 20% |
Other information
Payment terms
As detailed in the Tender Documents
Description of risks to contract performance
As detailed in the Tender Documents
Applicable trade agreements
- Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Justification for not publishing a preliminary market engagement notice
InterTradeIreland has conducted a two-pronged Pre-Market Engagement approach consisting of Pilot programmes and a Feasibility Study. However these were all undertaken by the Department prior to the commencement the Procurement Act 2023, which came into force on February 24, 2025. Further details can be found within the document entitled 'ID 5827132 - Instructions to Tender'.
Contracting authority
InterTradeIreland
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PZBY-5224-MBBM
The Old Gasworks Business Park, Kilmorey Street
Newry
BT34 2DE
United Kingdom
Email: SSDAdmin.CPD@finance-ni.gov.uk
Website: https://intertradeireland.com/
Region: UKN08 - Newry, Mourne and Down
Organisation type: Public authority - central government
Devolved regulations that apply: Northern Ireland
Other organisation
These organisations are carrying out the procurement, or part of it, on behalf of the contracting authorities.
CPD - Supplies & Service Division
Summary of their role in this procurement: Construction and Procurement Delivery - Supplies and Services Division, is a Centre of Procurement Expertise and provides a central procurement function for central government in Northern Ireland.
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PVWG-8426-YWXV
Clare House, 303 Airport Road West
Belfast
BT3 9ED
United Kingdom
Region: UKN06 - Belfast