Tender

Rural Growth Deal (RGD) Business Skills and Leadership Programme

HIGHLANDS AND ISLANDS ENTERPRISE

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

20 Nov 2025 at 12:57

Summary of the contracting process

The procurement process initiated by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), a regional agency focused on economic affairs, is currently active under the Rural Growth Deal (RGD) Business Skills and Leadership Programme. This open tender procedure seeks suppliers to deliver a programme of business skills and leadership services in the Argyll and Bute area, classified under business and management consultancy services. Key dates include the submission deadline of 23rd December 2025, with the potential for contract commencement in April 2026. The contract period is anticipated to span three years with potential extensions, funding dependent, up to five years. The total contract value ranges between GBP 390,000 and GBP 474,000. This procurement is being conducted electronically via Public Contracts Scotland, with all submissions required by the stated deadline, and no variations allowed. Decisions regarding funding are expected by March 2026.

The programme represents significant opportunities for businesses specialising in adult education, training, and management consultancy services to engage in a long-term project potentially impacting the economic growth within the Argyll and Bute region. Firms with strong capabilities in stakeholder engagement, programme design and administration, and experience in hybrid delivery modes will find the tender particularly relevant. The delivery of community benefits, alignment with fair work practices, and compliance with cybersecurity standards form crucial elements of the bid evaluation. With a focus on developing emerging leaders, strategic leadership, and offering mentorship, this programme offers a platform for businesses dedicated to personal and business growth training to expand their reach and impact.

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Notice Title

Rural Growth Deal (RGD) Business Skills and Leadership Programme

Notice Description

HIE requires a suitably qualified and experienced supplier to deliver a Business Skills and Leadership Programme specifically for Argyll and Bute Council area. This programme is fully funded by the Argyll and Bute Rural Growth Deal (RGD) and will be available to participants within this geographic area. Award of this contract depends on securing RGD funding, which is not yet confirmed. Approval is expected by March 2026, with a potential contract start in April 2026. HIE may cancel the process or not award the contract if funding is not approved. HIE's service requirements are divided into 3 strands. 1 Young and Emerging Leaders Programme; 2. Leadership for Growth/Strategic Leadership Programme and 3. Mentoring Programme. Strands 1 and 2 will be delivered to cohort of participants through a series of modules, delivered via workshops. Delivery should be a hybrid model i.e, a blend of on-line and face-to-face delivery. The mentoring programme will be mainly online apart from the first session that must be face-to-face. It is anticipated that the contract will be let from April 2026 for 3 years unless terminated in accordance with the provisions of the Contract, with HIE having the option to extend for two periods of one year each (3+1+1) together not exceeding 5 years following the Initial Term. The 3-year budget currently available to deliver these services is between GBP 260,000 and GBP 280,000 (excluding VAT). The total estimated contract value for the maximum 5-year contract period is between GBP 390,000 and GBP 474,000, VAT excluded. This is the figure used in the Contract Notice.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Key tasks are: 1. Programme design 2. Stakeholder engagement and participant recruitment for strands 1 and 2. 3. Programme delivery 4. Programme administration and monitoring. Please refer to the Scope of Requirement and Guidance document for full details. Additional information: Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in Regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015.

Options: In accordance with Regulation 72(1)(a) of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015, HIE reserves the right to make changes to the volume and/or scope of the Services to be supplied under the Contract following a review of the Services by HIE, particularly with regard to demand and budgetary availability. This may result in amendments to requirements under the contract, including but not limited to: -The Scottish Government routed via Argyll and Bute Council will provide funding to HIE on an ongoing annual basis. HIE reserves the contractual right, at its sole discretion, to adjust the scope of services under Strands 1, 2, and 3 to align with the available budget. This may include, but is not limited to, reducing activities, pausing delivery, or terminating the programme. -Following the initial 3-year contract term, HIE reserves the contractual right, at its sole discretion, to vary the scope of services under Strands 1, 2, and 3. This may include, but is not limited to, reducing activity, pausing or terminating one or more of the Strands. This contract modification option will be also available for potential year 5 of the contract. -If additional funding becomes available, it may be allocated to expand the number of participants. Bidders' rates will apply to any increases. -If the anticipated number of participants cannot be recruited, service volumes and requirements may be adjusted accordingly.

Renewal: The option to extend for two periods of one year each (3 + 1 +1) together not exceeding 5 years following the Initial Term.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05e56f
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/075647-2025
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

72 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

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

80 - Education and training services


CPV Codes

72224000 - Project management consultancy services

79400000 - Business and management consultancy and related services

79410000 - Business and management consultancy services

79411000 - General management consultancy services

79411100 - Business development consultancy services

80210000 - Technical and vocational secondary education services

80400000 - Adult and other education services

80500000 - Training services

80521000 - Training programme services

80522000 - Training seminars

80532000 - Management training services

80570000 - Personal development training services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£474,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
£474,000 £100K-£500K
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
20 Nov 20253 months ago
Submission Deadline
23 Dec 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
19 Apr 2026 - 19 Apr 2031 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Active
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
HIGHLANDS AND ISLANDS ENTERPRISE
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
hieprocurement@hient.co.uk
Contact Phone
+44 1463245245

Buyer Location

Locality
INVERNESS
Postcode
IV2 5NA
Post Town
Inverness
Country
Scotland

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLM Scotland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLM2 Highlands and Islands
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLM20 Highlands and Islands
Delivery Location
TLM63 Lochaber, Skye and Lochalsh, Arran and Cumbrae, and Argyll and Bute

Local Authority
Highland
Electoral Ward
Inverness South
Westminster Constituency
Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire

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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