--- title: "South East Business Boost II" ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-907b5db9-38b8-4213-87a3-8dd2526b3232" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-907b5db9-38b8-4213-87a3-8dd2526b3232" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-907b5db9-38b8-4213-87a3-8dd2526b3232.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-907b5db9-38b8-4213-87a3-8dd2526b3232.json" source: "Contracts Finder" current_stage: "Tender" buyer: "KENT COUNTY COUNCIL" published: "2020-11-06" --- # South East Business Boost II Buyer: KENT COUNTY COUNCIL Current stage: Tender OCID: ocds-b5fd17-907b5db9-38b8-4213-87a3-8dd2526b3232 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-907b5db9-38b8-4213-87a3-8dd2526b3232) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-907b5db9-38b8-4213-87a3-8dd2526b3232.json) ## Summary Kent County Council is currently engaged in the procurement process for the "South East Business Boost II" project, aimed at providing essential growth and innovation services to local businesses in the South East region of the United Kingdom. The procurement is in the award phase, having received a contract valued at £710,000 to support a total of 262 Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) over a period of 24 months, commencing from April 2021. Key activities involved include marketing and engagement with eligible businesses, direct productivity support, and the management of a Business Grants Programme. Relevant deadlines included an expression of interest required by 3rd December 2020. This tender presents a significant opportunity for businesses that specialise in providing support services, particularly those focused on business consultancy, marketing, and training for SMEs. Given the emphasis on helping pre-start and start-up companies scale their operations, firms offering innovative solutions and growth strategies can benefit greatly. Additionally, companies interested in collaborating on strategic partnerships or managing grant programmes may find this contract aligns well with their capabilities, fostering growth within their own operations while contributing to the local business ecosystem. ## Notice Growth Hubs are locally based, Government-backed services linked to the national business support helpline. They enable businesses to access local and national business support. Government funding for Growth Hubs is made available via the 39 Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs). The South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SELEP) covers Kent and Medway, Essex, Southend, Thurrock and East Sussex. It is the largest LEP in England. The SELEP (via Essex County Council as its accountable body) receives funding from Government for a Growth Hub. The SELEP operates a federal model, with local partnerships for each economic area within the LEP. For Kent and Medway, this is the Kent and Medway Economic Partnership (KMEP). The Growth Hub for the SELEP area reflects this federal model, with separately procured and managed services in Kent and Medway, Essex and East Sussex. The current Kent and Medway Growth Hub service can be accessed at www.kentandmedwaygrowthhub.org.uk The core Growth Hub service is enhanced through a SELEP-wide South East Business Boost (SEBB) ERDF (European Regional Development Fund) programme, led by Southend Borough Council the lead accountable body. This service provides additional activities beyond what can be provided through the BEIS funding and delivers an offer that compliments and enhances the existing 'core' Growth Hub programme. Kent County Council wishes to procure a SEBBII service which will provide of one to one and one to many interactions that create growth and facilitate innovation within local companies. The programmes are aimed at pre-start, start-up and Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) who wish to scale up production to increase turnover. The service also offers 'Growth Grant' programme designed to facilitate growth and increase productivity within local companies. The contract duration will be from April 2021 for 24 months Contract value is PS710K to engage and support 262 SMEs to enable them to increase turnover, improve productivity, generate new products /services, and create jobs. Key activities include: * Marketing and Engagement of the service to eligible businesses * Productivity and competitiveness direct one to one business support for high potential businesses. * Enterprise and Entrepreneurship Support for start-ups and new businesses. * Promotion and management of Business Grants Programme with eligible businesses. * Development of strategic partnerships and robust referral networks * Data collection, verification and reporting in line with ERDF requirements. Any organisation who wishes to tender for this opportunity is required to express an interest via the Kent Business Portal (www.kentbusinessportal.org.uk), on expression of interest a copy of the Selection Questionnaire will be made available for submission no later than noon 3rd December 2020. Additional information: In the event that additional funding for this service is granted to the Council to continue to deliver the SEBB Services consisting of the repetition of similar services entrusted to the Supplier under this Contract after 31 March 2023, the Council reserves the right to procure the new services via the negotiated procedure without prior publication in accordance with Regulation 32(9) of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015, the conditions for which will be as per the conditions of the grant funding ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Contracts Finder | | Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/9985483f-920a-43d9-9e1b-c3b0539f6c2b | | Notice type | Tender Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Services | | Procurement method | Selective | | Procurement method details | Negotiated procedure | | Tender suitability | SME, VCSE | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Tender | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 6 Nov 2020 | | Submission deadline | 7 Dec 2020 | | Future notice date | Not specified | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | 31 Mar 2021 - 31 Mar 2023 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £710,000 | | Lots value | Not specified | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Active | | Lots status | Not specified | | Awards status | Not specified | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | KENT COUNTY COUNCIL | | Locality | MAIDSTONE | | Post town | Rochester | | Postcode | ME14 1XQ | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLJ South East (England) | | ITL 2 | TLJ4 Kent | | ITL 3 | TLJ45 Mid Kent | | Local authority | Maidstone | | Electoral ward | Penenden Heath | | Westminster constituency | Maidstone and Malling | | Delivery location | TLJ South East (England) | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security ### Codes - 79000000 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security ## Release History - 6 Nov 2020 at 12:17 - Tender - Tender Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/9985483f-920a-43d9-9e1b-c3b0539f6c2b ## Documents - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/9985483f-920a-43d9-9e1b-c3b0539f6c2b 6th November 2020 - Opportunity notice on Contracts Finder ## Notice URLs - http://www.kent.gov.uk ## Provenance This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. 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