Scope
Description
Essex County Council (ECC) currently has a business support contract in place that is due to expire in March 2026, alongside our nationally funded Growth Hub contract. ECC is seeking input from potential bidders to help shape a suitable contract and procurement process.
The current contract is split into three main areas:
1) General Business Support
2) Business Financial Advice and Support
3) Skills Consultancy and Brokerage Service
As part of that the current contract, the scope of the services include:
- Delivering a clear programme of business support to ensure the safeguarding of businesses and jobs impacted by the challenging economic climate
- Providing high-quality provision that enables business and jobs growth to increase the prosperity and productivity of Essex
- Supporting Essex businesses to be innovative and sustainable
- Providing the best possible support to mitigate impacts and exploit opportunities arising from the economic challenges faced by businesses
The services listed above relate to the current contract and do not necessarily represent the scope of a contract that may be advertised in the future. The structure of the contract also has not been confirmed and the value of any future contract that may be advertised in the future may differ from the value attached to this notice. This is not a call for competition.
Total value (estimated)
- £1,500,000 excluding VAT
- £1,800,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027
- Possible extension to 31 March 2029
- 3 years
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 66000000 - Financial and insurance services
- 79000000 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security
Contract locations
- UKH3 - Essex
Engagement
Engagement deadline
5 September 2025
Engagement process description
Essex County Council is conducting soft market testing to inform the development of our future business support offer.
The Council currently has a business support contract in place that will expire in March 2026, alongside our nationally funded Growth Hub contract.
With changes underway in the business support landscape-including the introduction of the national Business Growth Service-we are seeking input to help shape a suitable contract and procurement process.
As part of the Council's pre-procurement work, market engagement for the development of a new countywide business support service has already conducted with businesses who may use the service, via a comprehensive survey. This survey enabled us to better understand the current challenges that businesses are facing, what they would want from a business support offer, growth prospects, business support functions, and many other metrics.
The Council would now like to hear from potential bidders. To respond to soft market testing please complete the questionnaire found here: https://forms.office.com/e/RPe5nEf3vv The deadline for responses is Friday 5th September.
Participation
Particular suitability
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
Contracting authority
Essex County Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PWVM-4844-NRQH
County Hall, Market Road
Chelmsford
CM1 1QH
United Kingdom
Email: melody.mahachi@essex.gov.uk
Region: UKH36 - Heart of Essex
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government