--- title: "Rural Growth Deal (RGD) Business Skills and Leadership Programme" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-05e56f" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-05e56f" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05e56f.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05e56f.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Tender" buyer: "HIGHLANDS AND ISLANDS ENTERPRISE" published: "2025-11-20" --- # Rural Growth Deal (RGD) Business Skills and Leadership Programme Buyer: HIGHLANDS AND ISLANDS ENTERPRISE Current stage: Tender OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-05e56f [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-05e56f) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05e56f.json) ## Summary 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. ## Notice 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. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/075647-2025 | | 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 | | All stages | Tender | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 20 Nov 2025 | | Submission deadline | 23 Dec 2025 | | Future notice date | Not specified | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | 19 Apr 2026 - 19 Apr 2031 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £474,000 | | Lots value | £474,000 | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Active | | Lots status | Active | | Awards status | Not specified | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | HIGHLANDS AND ISLANDS ENTERPRISE | | Locality | INVERNESS | | Post town | Inverness | | Postcode | IV2 5NA | | Country | Scotland | | ITL 1 | TLM Scotland | | ITL 2 | TLM2 Highlands and Islands | | ITL 3 | TLM20 Highlands and Islands | | Local authority | Highland | | Electoral ward | Inverness South | | Westminster constituency | Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire | | Delivery location | TLM63 Lochaber, Skye and Lochalsh, Arran and Cumbrae, and Argyll and Bute | ## CPV Codes ### 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 ### 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 ## Release History - 20 Nov 2025 at 12:57 - Tender - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/075647-2025 ## Notice URLs - http://www.hie.co.uk - http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk - https://api.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/v1/Notice?id=ocds-r6ebe6-0000810046 - https://www.gov.scot/policies/public-sector-procurement/community-benefits-in-procurement/ - https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/ESPD/ESPD_Download.aspx?id=810046 - https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=810046 - https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA00313 - https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/sitehelp/help_guides.aspx - https://www.scotcourts.gov.uk/the-courts/court-locations/inverness-sheriff-court-and-justice-of-the-peace-court ## Provenance This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-05e56f. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05e56f.json.