Planning

Soft Market Testing for Growth Hub- 2025 (a Business Support Service)

ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

12 Feb 2025 at 17:34

Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Essex County Council is in the planning stages for the procurement of a specialist provider to offer Growth Hub support, a business support service. The service aims to provide free and impartial signposting, information, and advice to businesses. This procurement process is classified under the industry category of business and management consultancy services (CPV 79400000). The soft market testing phase is underway with an engagement end date set for 28 February 2025, and the anticipated launch date for the opportunity is April 2025. The procurement is part of a Government grant-funded initiative by the Department for Business and Trade, with services to be delivered in England, United Kingdom. Interested parties can contact Craig Johnson at craig.johnson@essex.gov.uk.

This tender presents significant opportunities for business growth, particularly for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that specialise in consultancy and business support services. The Growth Hub service seeks providers who can deliver comprehensive business advice and diagnostic assessments tailored to the needs of local businesses, helping them navigate various support options. SMEs with the capability to offer one-on-one structured support and a coordinated multi-channel service are well-suited to compete for this contract. Being a Government grant-funded project, this is an excellent chance for businesses to secure a steady stream of work and contribute to economic growth in the region.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Soft Market Testing for Growth Hub- 2025 (a Business Support Service)

Notice Description

Essex County Council (ECC) intends to procure a specialist provider to provide Growth Hub support. Growth Hubs are an established business support service provided, which provide free and impartial signposting, information, and advice to all businesses looking to succeed, helping them to navigate the national and local support landscape. It is Government grant funded annually by the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) and provides a one stop shop for business support services that offers: * Information, navigation, and signposting via a coordinated, multi-channel service * One-to-one structured support to small and medium enterprises, incorporating a diagnostic assessment of business needs and advice and guidance. This Prior Information Notice (PIN) is intended to alert providers to an opportunity to deliver the Growth Hub service for Essex County Council. The estimated launch date for the opportunity is April 2025. Please contact Craig Johnson at craig.johnson@essex.gov.uk to express an interest in the Growth Hub service.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-601f0889-a436-45d5-b9f7-ac3b252fc1ba
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/6ef16fb8-4870-4397-a3da-658887e1325a
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Not specified
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

CPV Codes

79400000 - Business and management consultancy and related services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
12 Feb 20251 years ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
28 Feb 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Not Specified
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
CHELMSFORD
Postcode
CM1 1QH
Post Town
Chelmsford
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLH East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLH3 Essex
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLH36 Heart of Essex
Delivery Location
TLC North East (England), TLD North West (England), TLF East Midlands (England), TLG West Midlands (England), TLH East (England), TLJ South East (England), TLK South West (England)
Local Authority
Chelmsford
Electoral Ward
Moulsham and Central
Westminster Constituency
Chelmsford

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts. 

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