Business Gateway Fife Framework for the Provision of Specialist Business Advice 1 April 2023 – 31 March 2025

Concepts

• business development
• glenrothes
• gateway fife
• business gateway fife framework
• business gateway fife ltd
• business gateway fife
• one-to-one specialist business advice
• provision of specialist business advice
• free business support services
• business gateway services

Location

Fife

Description

Business Gateway Fife intends to procure a framework of suppliers to deliver one-to-one specialist business advice and support to Fife’s SMEs. This will replace the existing Business Gateway Fife Expert Help Framework. Business Gateway Fife, a company limited by guarantee and wholly owned by Fife Council, is the delivery agent for Business Gateway services in Fife. Business Gateway is a publicly funded service contributing to the economic wellbeing of Scotland by providing access to free business support services. We give assistance and impartial advice to people starting or growing their business through a combination of:- - Online support – a comprehensive website with practical information and useful guides. - A programme of fully funded local workshops and events held throughout Scotland. - Advice to suit specific business needs through a network of experienced business advisers. - Business information – a dedicated team providing information and support on all aspects of starting and growing a business. From April 2016 to March 2023, the core Business Gateway services in Fife have been complemented by enhanced business support activity part funded through the European Regional Development Fund. During that time, a framework of subject experts was procured to deliver one to one specialist business support under the Expert Help programme. The end date of the current framework contract is 31st March 2023, aligned to the end of the European funding period. From 1st April 2023 Business Gateway Fife Ltd will deliver a new programme of one-to-one specialist business support on behalf of Fife Council with funding provided through the UK Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF). A new framework of suppliers is being procured by Business Gateway Fife Ltd to deliver this support. The purpose of this tender is to seek proposals from potential suppliers of Specialist Business Advice & Support Services. Those selected will be required to professionally assist companies within the Fife region in their particular area of expertise. In order to facilitate the matching of business support needs with the most suitable providers, the framework will be divided into the following Lots: 1. BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT 2. FINANCE 3. SOCIAL MEDIA AND ONLINE PRESENCE 4. INFORMATION SOLUTIONS AND TECHNOLOGY 5. LEGAL AND PROPERTY 6. ENVIRONMENTAL 7. HUMAN RESOURCES AND EMPLOYEE DEVELOPMENT/WELLBEING Interested suppliers must have the knowledge, capacity, experience and expertise to deliver one or multiple lots if requested to do so. Business Gateway Fife reserves the right at all times to award all, some or none of the lots. It also reserves the right to withdraw a supplier of services from this framework due to substandard work, client complaint or non-compliance. Contractors will be experienced and qualified in their respective fields and will be able to demonstrate a successful and recent track record of delivering consultancy and/or training services in their particular area of expertise. Good record keeping is essential and will form in part the basis for the final payment for work undertaken within the framework. It is important the contractor ensures the relevant client paperwork is completed correctly, on time and in full as payment may be delayed until such is received. The contract will be for the period 1st April 2023 – 31st March 2025, aligned to the UKSPF funding period. The anticipated overall value of the framework is 390,000GBP split equally across the two financial years. The contract will be based on a fixed rate of 550GBP for a full day (7 hours minimum) and 275GBP for a half-day (3.5 hours minimum). Timesheets will be required (a template will be provided) to evidence that the minimum time requirement has been met when submitting a claim for costs. During the contract delivery period, Business Gateway Fife will provide the following by way of support, reporting and guidance material: - Promotional material and guidance on the UKSPF funded Specialist Business Advice programme - Access to the online system through which contractors will submit timesheets, evidence and claims for payment. - A client feedback template - A timesheet template for use by contractors

Lot Division

CPV Codes

• 79411100 - Business development consultancy services
• 79410000 - Business and management consultancy services
• 79900000 - Miscellaneous business and business-related services

Indicators

• Restrictions apply to the lot award allocation.
• This is a one-off contract (no recurrence)
• Renewals are not available.
• Staff qualifications are relevant.

Other Information

** PREVIEW NOTICE, please check Find a Tender for full details. ** NOTE: To register your interest in this notice and obtain any additional information please visit the Public Contracts Scotland Web Site at https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=714077. The buyer has indicated that it will accept electronic responses to this notice via the Postbox facility. A user guide is available at https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/sitehelp/help_guides.aspx. Suppliers are advised to allow adequate time for uploading documents and to dispatch the electronic response well in advance of the closing time to avoid any last minute problems. (SC Ref:714077)