Award

MIDAS Invitation to Tender: Market-focussed Business Development - Investment Zone Project

MANCHESTER INVESTMENT AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY SERVICE LIMITED

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

07 Jan 2026 at 09:18

Award

24 Oct 2025 at 10:20

Tender

03 Sep 2025 at 16:01

Summary of the contracting process

The Manchester Investment and Development Agency Service Limited acted as the buyer, with procurement facilitated by The Growth Company Limited, for the strategic business development initiative entitled "MIDAS Invitation to Tender: Market-focussed Business Development - Investment Zone Project." This public procurement process focused on generating foreign direct investment (FDI) for the Greater Manchester Investment Zone. Targeting markets in North America and Asia Pacific, the initiative is set to attract high-value businesses and investment into Greater Manchester to enhance job creation and innovation. Procurement was conducted as an open competition below the threshold, encompassing two lots completed by December 2025. For Lot 1, Avalon Consultancy Services Limited was awarded the North American market focus, while the International Advisory Council won the contract for the Asia Pacific market. Contracts commenced in November 2025, with possible extension into 2027 based on programme success.

This tender presents substantial opportunities for businesses focused on economic research and business development consultancy services, specifically those capable of strategically positioning Greater Manchester as a hub for high-value investments. SMEs with expertise in engaging with international markets, especially those specialising in North American and Asia Pacific sectors, stand to benefit significantly from participating in such tenders. Successful businesses will not only gain from the financial award but will also play a crucial role in shaping Greater Manchester's economic landscape, opening pathways for further business growth and collaboration within the region's thriving investment ecosystem.

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Notice Title

MIDAS Invitation to Tender: Market-focussed Business Development - Investment Zone Project

Notice Description

MIDAS are seeking to appoint two providers of pro-active strategic business development to generate Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) projects in each of two key markets: North America and Asia Pacific. The sectors to be targeted are to be aligned to the Greater Manchester (GM) Investment Zone and the purpose is the attraction of high-value businesses and investment into GM to create new jobs, increase innovation, and add value to the GM ecosystem. The appointed contractor(s) must deliver a specialist market-focussed business development function aligned to the Greater Manchester (GM) Investment Zone for MIDAS, driving the attraction of high-value businesses and investment into GM to create new jobs, increase innovation, and add value to the GM ecosystem. MIDAS are looking for up to two suppliers, one of whom would focus on the North American market, the other on APAC. The Key Deliverables of this project are, ultimately FDI project successes, with ongoing measurement via a number of KPIs which must be achieved throughout the duration of the contract. 1) Identify and approach an average of at least 50 qualified targets per month. 2) Meetings - A minimum of 12 meaningful meetings per month. 3) Roadshows - Organise at least 3 per annum for a MIDAS Director to join, with at least 10 meaningful project meetings per visit. 4) Pipeline Projects - Instigate a minimum of 4 new job-creating FDI projects per month which are aligned with Greater Manchester. 5) Project Successes - From the generated pipeline, work with MIDAS' UK team to deliver up to 400 jobs and 7 successful investment projects annually.

Lot Information

North America

See Tender Documents

Renewal: The contract period is envisaged for an initial period of up to 12 months, commencing Oct / Nov 2025. We may extend the contracted period, subject to the success of the programme and budget for a further 6 months.

Asia Pacific

See Tender Documents.

Renewal: The contract period is envisaged for an initial period of up to 12 months, commencing Oct / Nov 2025. We may extend the contracted period, subject to the success of the programme and budget for a further 6 months.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05938b
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/000898-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Below threshold - open competition
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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


CPV Codes

79311400 - Economic research services

79411000 - General management consultancy services

79411100 - Business development consultancy services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£135,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
£135,000 £100K-£500K
Awards Value
£67,500 Under £100K
Contracts Value
£67,500 Under £100K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
7 Jan 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
26 Sep 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
20 Oct 20254 months ago
Contract Period
11 Dec 2025 - 9 Nov 2026 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
MANCHESTER INVESTMENT AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY SERVICE LIMITED
Additional Buyers

MANCHESTER INVESTMENT & DEVELOPMENT AGENCY SERVICE LIMITED

THE GROWTH COMPANY LIMITED

Contact Name
Marc Ripley
Contact Email
busdev@growthco.uk, tenders@growthco.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
MANCHESTER
Postcode
M1 6EU
Post Town
Manchester
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLD North West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLD3 Greater Manchester
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLD33 Manchester
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Manchester
Electoral Ward
Deansgate
Westminster Constituency
Manchester Central

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
3
Supplier Names

AVALON CONSULTANCY SERVICES

INT ADVISORY COUNCIL

INTERNATIONAL ADVISORY COUNCIL

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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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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