Tender

"Start & Sustain" Business Start-Up Support Service

EAST MIDLANDS COMBINED COUNTY AUTHORITY

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

TenderUpdate

06 Feb 2026 at 15:23

Tender

23 Jan 2026 at 12:50

Summary of the contracting process

The East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA), in collaboration with Nottinghamshire County Council, is inviting tenders for the "Start & Sustain" Business Start-Up Support Service. This procurement focuses on stimulating entrepreneurship and economic growth across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire by offering start-up support and expert mentoring to aspiring entrepreneurs and early-stage businesses. The procurement, guided by the Procurement Act 2023, employs an open procedure and has an estimated value of £1,400,000 over two years, with potential for a one-year extension. Interested parties must submit tenders by noon on 2nd March 2026, and the contract will commence on 1st April 2026, concluding on 31st March 2028, with the potential to extend until March 2029 depending on performance and funding. The procurement process falls under the category of business and management consultancy services and is managed electronically through the East Midlands Tenders and ProContract portals.

This tender represents a significant opportunity for service providers specialised in business consultancy and start-up support services to expand their operations within the East Midlands region. Prioritising quality (80%) and price (20%), bidders with strong track records in fostering business growth and offering innovative enterprise solutions are well-positioned. The procurement is suitable for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSEs), given the programme's emphasis on inclusive growth and tailored support strategies. Participation in this tender not only offers immediate contract value but also establishes a base for long-term growth opportunities, including potential extensions conditioned on satisfactory performance and funding availability.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

"Start & Sustain" Business Start-Up Support Service

Notice Description

EMCCA has devolved responsibility for delivering Transport, Housing, Economic Development, Skills and Green Growth across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire. This Start-up & Sustain Programme is designed to support individuals across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire who aspire to start a business, while also helping early-stage start-ups to establish themselves and create a strong foundation to survive and thrive. The aim is to stimulate entrepreneurship, increase the number of businesses, improve business survival rates, and foster inclusive economic growth. The Start-up & Sustain Programme will achieve these objectives by providing tailored start-up and enterprise support, expert mentoring, along with practical tools and resources. The current contract expires on 31st March 2026, so this service is being re-procured in accordance with Procurement Act 2023 requirements. The contract, worth up to PS1,400,000 in total over 2 years, will be awarded for the initial term from April 2026 until March 2028. There is potential for 1 year extension subject to satisfactory Supplier performance and further funding approval.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: 12 month extension available subject to satisfactory Supplier performance and further funding approval.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-060d50
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/011066-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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


CPV Codes

79410000 - Business and management consultancy services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£1,400,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£1,400,000 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
6 Feb 20263 days ago
Submission Deadline
2 Mar 20263 weeks to go
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Mar 2026 - 31 Mar 2028 2-3 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
EAST MIDLANDS COMBINED COUNTY AUTHORITY
Additional Buyers

NOTTINGHAMSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
procurement@eastmidlands-cca.gov.uk, prpc@nottscc.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
CHESTERFIELD
Postcode
S40 1UT
Post Town
Sheffield
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLF East Midlands (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLF1 Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLF16 South Nottinghamshire
Delivery Location
TLF1 Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire

Local Authority
Rushcliffe
Electoral Ward
Trent Bridge
Westminster Constituency
Rushcliffe

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

Download

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.

{
    "tag": [
        "compiled"
    ],
    "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-060d50-2026-02-06T15:23:30Z",
    "date": "2026-02-06T15:23:30Z",
    "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-060d50",
    "initiationType": "tender",
    "parties": [
        {
            "id": "GB-PPON-PZXR-6887-DRNP",
            "name": "East Midlands Combined County Authority",
            "identifier": {
                "scheme": "GB-PPON",
                "id": "PZXR-6887-DRNP"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre",
                "locality": "Chesterfield",
                "postalCode": "S40 1UT",
                "country": "GB",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom",
                "region": "UKF12"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "email": "procurement@eastmidlands-cca.gov.uk"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer"
            ],
            "details": {
                "classifications": [
                    {
                        "id": "publicAuthoritySubCentralGovernment",
                        "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE",
                        "description": "Public authority - sub-central government"
                    }
                ]
            }
        },
        {
            "id": "GB-PPON-PBCV-5152-BXBP",
            "name": "Nottinghamshire County Council",
            "identifier": {
                "scheme": "GB-PPON",
                "id": "PBCV-5152-BXBP"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "County Hall, Loughborough Road",
                "locality": "Nottingham",
                "postalCode": "NG2 7QP",
                "country": "GB",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom",
                "region": "UKF16"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "email": "prpc@nottscc.gov.uk"
            },
            "roles": [
                "procuringEntity",
                "processContactPoint"
            ],
            "roleDetails": "Provides Procurement Services"
        }
    ],
    "buyer": {
        "id": "GB-PPON-PZXR-6887-DRNP",
        "name": "East Midlands Combined County Authority"
    },
    "tender": {
        "id": "DN804291",
        "legalBasis": {
            "id": "2023/54",
            "scheme": "UKPGA",
            "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents"
        },
        "title": "\"Start & Sustain\" Business Start-Up Support Service",
        "description": "EMCCA has devolved responsibility for delivering Transport, Housing, Economic Development, Skills and Green Growth across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire. This Start-up & Sustain Programme is designed to support individuals across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire who aspire to start a business, while also helping early-stage start-ups to establish themselves and create a strong foundation to survive and thrive. The aim is to stimulate entrepreneurship, increase the number of businesses, improve business survival rates, and foster inclusive economic growth. The Start-up & Sustain Programme will achieve these objectives by providing tailored start-up and enterprise support, expert mentoring, along with practical tools and resources. The current contract expires on 31st March 2026, so this service is being re-procured in accordance with Procurement Act 2023 requirements. The contract, worth up to PS1,400,000 in total over 2 years, will be awarded for the initial term from April 2026 until March 2028. There is potential for 1 year extension subject to satisfactory Supplier performance and further funding approval.",
        "status": "active",
        "items": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "additionalClassifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "79410000",
                        "description": "Business and management consultancy services"
                    }
                ],
                "deliveryAddresses": [
                    {
                        "region": "UKF1",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "UKF1",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    }
                ],
                "relatedLot": "1"
            }
        ],
        "value": {
            "amountGross": 1680000,
            "amount": 1400000,
            "currency": "GBP"
        },
        "procurementMethod": "open",
        "procurementMethodDetails": "Open procedure",
        "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
        "aboveThreshold": true,
        "submissionMethodDetails": "https://www.eastmidstenders.org/ https://procontract.due-north.com/Advert?advertId=e58f659a-51f8-f011-813c-005056b64545&fromRfxSummary=True&rfxId=a3d2dc02-52f8-f011-813c-005056b64545",
        "submissionTerms": {
            "electronicSubmissionPolicy": "allowed",
            "languages": [
                "en"
            ]
        },
        "tenderPeriod": {
            "endDate": "2026-03-02T12:00:00Z"
        },
        "enquiryPeriod": {
            "endDate": "2026-02-20T17:00:00Z"
        },
        "awardPeriod": {
            "endDate": "2026-03-17T23:59:59Z"
        },
        "lots": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "status": "active",
                "value": {
                    "amountGross": 1680000,
                    "amount": 1400000,
                    "currency": "GBP"
                },
                "awardCriteria": {
                    "criteria": [
                        {
                            "type": "quality",
                            "name": "Quality",
                            "numbers": [
                                {
                                    "number": 80,
                                    "weight": "percentageExact"
                                }
                            ]
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "price",
                            "name": "Price",
                            "numbers": [
                                {
                                    "number": 20,
                                    "weight": "percentageExact"
                                }
                            ]
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "quality",
                            "name": "Quality",
                            "numbers": [
                                {
                                    "number": 80,
                                    "weight": "percentageExact"
                                }
                            ]
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "price",
                            "name": "Price",
                            "numbers": [
                                {
                                    "number": 20,
                                    "weight": "percentageExact"
                                }
                            ]
                        }
                    ]
                },
                "suitability": {
                    "sme": true,
                    "vcse": true
                },
                "contractPeriod": {
                    "startDate": "2026-04-01T00:00:00+01:00",
                    "endDate": "2028-03-31T23:59:59+01:00",
                    "maxExtentDate": "2029-03-31T23:59:59+01:00"
                },
                "hasRenewal": true,
                "renewal": {
                    "description": "12 month extension available subject to satisfactory Supplier performance and further funding approval."
                }
            }
        ],
        "documents": [
            {
                "id": "conflictOfInterest",
                "documentType": "conflictOfInterest",
                "description": "Not published"
            },
            {
                "id": "L-1",
                "documentType": "biddingDocuments",
                "description": "Clink on link below and click view opportunities. Search for project DN804291 https://www.eastmidstenders.org/ Link to tendering portal advert below: https://procontract.due-north.com/Advert?advertId=e58f659a-51f8-f011-813c-005056b64545&fromRfxSummary=True&rfxId=a3d2dc02-52f8-f011-813c-005056b64545",
                "url": "https://www.eastmidstenders.org/"
            },
            {
                "id": "006181-2026",
                "documentType": "tenderNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK4",
                "description": "Tender notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/006181-2026",
                "datePublished": "2026-01-23T12:50:16Z",
                "format": "text/html"
            },
            {
                "id": "011066-2026",
                "documentType": "tenderNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK4",
                "description": "Tender notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/011066-2026",
                "datePublished": "2026-02-06T15:23:30Z",
                "format": "text/html"
            }
        ],
        "amendments": [
            {
                "id": "011066-2026",
                "description": "The closing date has been extended to 12:00 noon on the 2nd March 2026"
            }
        ]
    },
    "language": "en"
}