Contract notice
Section I: Contracting
authority
I.1) Name and addresses
Llywodraeth Cymru / Welsh Government
Gwasanaethau Caffael Corfforaethol / Corporate Procurement Services, Parc Cathays / Cathays Park
Caerdydd / Cardiff
CF10 3NQ
UK
Contact person: Matthew Collins
Telephone: +44 3000615991
E-mail: matthew.collins@gov.wales
NUTS: UKL
Internet address(es)
Main address: http://www.sell2wales.gov.wales
Address of the buyer profile: https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA0007
I.2) Joint procurement
The contract is awarded by a central purchasing body
I.3) Communication
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge at:
https://etenderwales.bravosolution.co.uk
Additional information can be obtained from the abovementioned address
Tenders or requests to participate must be sent electronically to:
https://etenderwales.bravosolution.co.uk
I.4) Type of the contracting authority
Ministry or any other national or federal authority, including their regional or local subdivisions
I.5) Main activity
General public services
Section II: Object
II.1) Scope of the procurement
II.1.1) Title
Business Wales Accelerated Growth Programme Services
Reference number: C077/2023/2024
II.1.2) Main CPV code
79000000
II.1.3) Type of contract
Services
II.1.4) Short description
Through Business Wales, the Welsh Government offers business support services to inspire entrepreneurs and SMEs to help start, sustain, and grow businesses in Wales. Business Wales is delivered through a blend of external suppliers, grant awards (third party providers) and ‘in-house’ teams within Welsh Government. The Business Wales service encompasses a range of products and services offering information, advice, and support, online, via phone, virtually or in person in both English and Welsh.
Certain elements of the Business Wales service are currently delivered by external suppliers, which is expected to run until 2029.
This Contract Notice relates to the Welsh Government’s intention to procure suitably skilled supplier(s) to deliver the Accelerated Growth Programme Services element of the Business Wales services from November 2023 to end of March 2029 (the "Service").
The anticipated aggregate value of the Service for the contract period is GBP 15.8m net (2023-2029). Aligned to the wider Welsh Government budget position, the budget for this activity is secured for financial years 2023/24 and 2024/25 only. Therefore, the proposed duration of the Service contract is expected to be structured for a period of up to 5 years and 5 months; an initial period of 17 months, with an option to extend, on an annual basis, for a further 4 years at the sole discretion of the Welsh Government, and subject always to budget approval.
There is an additional contract value of up to a further GBP 15.8m net for additional activities; GBP 31.6m net total value. These activities will be aligned to emerging Welsh Government priorities that may occur. There is no obligation placed on the Contracting Authority to utilise the additional spend value (GBP 15.8m net) and the additional services may or may not occur.
The overarching aims of Business Wales are:
1. To build confidence and inspire individuals, entrepreneurs and micro / small medium enterprises (SME) businesses to reach their full potential. To work with key stakeholders to develop a cohesive ecosystem that is visible, simple and connected to ensure Wales is a great place to start and grow a business in the foundation or growth economies.
2. To address a key gap by creating the conditions for businesses to start, sustain and grow through the missing middle in inclusive and sustainable ways.
3. To support the productivity, resilience, growth, decarbonising, and sustainability of micro and SMEs. To secure their long-term future ownership within Wales, cementing their continued contribution to the Welsh economy.
II.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT:
31 600 000.00
GBP
II.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots:
No
II.2) Description
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
79000000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKL
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
To procure suitably skilled supplier(s) to deliver the Accelerated Growth Programme Services element of the Business Wales services from November 2023 to end of March 2029 (the "Service").
The Business Wales Accelerated Growth Programme works to support the objectives of the:
- Programme for Government: https://gov.wales/programme-for-government-2021-to-2026-html
- Wellbeing of Future Generations Act: https://gov.wales/well-being-of-future-generations-wales
- Co-operation Agreement between Welsh Government and Plaid Cymru published in 2021 - The Co-operation Agreement: 2021 | GOV.WALES
- Economic Resilience and Reconstruction Mission - Economic resilience and reconstruction mission | GOV.WALES
The successful Supplier will be required to target pre-revenue and established businesses that demonstrate the potential for high growth: -
- To deliver a range of pan-Wales high growth support interventions to ambitious entrepreneurs (pre revenue) and rapid high growth businesses (SMEs), via a relationship management model.
- To develop tailored business support packages that will stimulate high growth job creation, support sustainable green business growth, strengthen positive employment practices while improving workplace equality and promoting Fair Work for BW AGP participants.
- To deliver a fully accessible and inclusive high growth support service to entrepreneurs and businesses in Wales whilst addressing under-representation and inspiring high growth entrepreneurs, and business owners from all communities to build the confidence, skills, and resilience to develop their businesses.
- To increase the turnover, employment, profits, and international export sales of the high growth businesses supported on the BW AGP.
- To introduce and embed the Welsh Government Economic Contract to all businesses registered onto the programme.
- To work closely with the wider Welsh Government business support (including but not limited to Innovation & Export support), other parts of Business Wales support services, the Development Bank of Wales, the entrepreneurial ecosystem including academia, private, public and third sector, and financial sector organisations in order to complement services and support high growth development in Wales.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Criteria below:
Quality criterion: Technical
/ Weighting: 90
Price
/ Weighting:
10
II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months: 65
This contract is subject to renewal: Yes
Description of renewals:
The contract term is for an initial period of up to 17 months, with an option to extend - at the sole discretion of the Contracting Authority - for a further 4 years (in 12-month increments).
II.2.9) Information about the limits on the number of candidates to be invited
II.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted:
No
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
No
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
Section III: Legal, economic, financial and technical information
III.1) Conditions for participation
III.1.2) Economic and financial standing
Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents
III.1.3) Technical and professional ability
Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents
III.2) Conditions related to the contract
III.2.2) Contract performance conditions
As stated in the procurement documents
III.2.3) Information about staff responsible for the performance of the contract
Obligation to indicate the names and professional qualifications of the staff assigned to performing the contract
Section IV: Procedure
IV.1) Description
IV.1.1) Type of procedure
Open procedure
IV.1.8) Information about Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement:
Yes
IV.2) Administrative information
IV.2.1) Previous publication concerning this procedure
Notice number in the OJ S:
2023/S 000-018950
IV.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate
Date:
19/09/2023
Local time: 12:00
IV.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted
EN
IV.2.6) Minimum time frame during which the tenderer must maintain the tender
Duration in months: 120 (from the date stated for receipt of tender)
IV.2.7) Conditions for opening of tenders
Date:
20/09/2023
Local time: 12:00
Place:
https://etenderwales.bravosolution.co.uk
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.1) Information about recurrence
This is a recurrent procurement:
Yes
Estimated timing for further notices to be published:
Potentially renewed post contract expiration.
VI.2) Information about electronic workflows
Electronic ordering will be used
Electronic invoicing will be accepted
Electronic payment will be used
VI.3) Additional information
E-Tender Information:
https://etenderwales.bravosolution.co.uk
- The first person from your Organisation to use the Platform will be required to register on behalf of the Organisation.
- Registration involves accepting a User Agreement, and providing basic information about your Organisation and about the User performing the Registration.
- On registering on the Platform the Super User will select a Username and will receive a password.
- The Password will be sent by e-mail to the email address that was specified in the User Details section of the Registration page.
- In order to log-in to the Platform please enter your Username and Password.
- Note: If you forget your Password then visit the homepage and click “Forgot your password?”
- Registration should only be performed once for each Organisation.
- If you think that someone in your Organisation may have already registered on this Platform then you must not register again.
- Please contact the person who Registered (i.e. the Super User) in order to arrange access to the Platform.
- Contact the Helpdesk immediately if you are unable to contact the Super User (for example if they have left your Organisation).
- Note: If your Organisation is already registered on the Platform then you must not make any additional registration. Please contact the
Helpdesk to gain access to the Platform.
- Tenders must be uploaded to the BravoSolution portal by 12:00 midday on the date stipulated. Late bids will not be accepted.
How To Find The ITT:
- Once logged in you must click on ‘ITT’s Open to all Suppliers’
- The e-tender references for this contract are: project_54018 and itt_104181
- Click on the title to access summary details of the contract. If you are still interested in submitting a tender, click the 'Express an Interest' button. This will move the ITT from the ‘Open to all Suppliers’ area to the ‘My ITT’s’ on the home page.
- You will then see the full details of the ITT in the qualification and technical envelopes along with any relevant documents in the‘Attachments’ area.
- Any questions on the ITT, please use the ‘Messages’ area to contact the buyer directly – Please do not contact the named person at the top of this notice.
NOTE: The authority is using eTenderwales to carry out this procurement process. To obtain further information record your interest on Sell2Wales at http://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/search/search_switch.aspx?ID=133764
Under the terms of this contract the successful supplier(s) will be required to deliver Community Benefits in support of the authority’s economic and social objectives. Accordingly, contract performance conditions may relate in particular to social and environmental considerations. The Community Benefits included in this contract are:
- Create employment and training opportunities particularly for those who face barriers to employment and/or who are located in deprived areas, and for people in industries with known skills shortages or in high growth sectors.
- Deliver additional environmental benefits in the performance of the contract including working towards net zero greenhouse gas emissions.
(WA Ref:133764)
The buyer considers that this contract is suitable for consortia.
VI.4) Procedures for review
VI.4.1) Review body
High Court
Royal Courts of Justice, The Strand
London
WC2A 2LL
UK
Telephone: +44 2079477501
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
03/08/2023