---
title: "XpoNorth Digital"
ocid: "ocds-r6ebe6-0000684084"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-r6ebe6-0000684084"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000684084.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000684084.json"
source: "Public Contracts Scotland"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "HIGHLANDS AND ISLANDS ENTERPRISE"
published: "2022-08-05"
---

# XpoNorth Digital

Buyer: HIGHLANDS AND ISLANDS ENTERPRISE  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-r6ebe6-0000684084

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## Summary

Highlands and Islands Enterprise has awarded the "XpoNorth Digital" contract, aimed at enhancing digital practices among businesses in the Highlands and Islands region. The procurement process is complete, with the contract starting from 1 August 2022 for an initial period of two years, potentially extendable for up to two additional years, culminating in a maximum expiry date of 31 July 2026. The contract value is estimated between GBP 438,000 and GBP 732,000 over the initial term, part of a broader GBP 315 million initiative supported by the UK and Scottish governments. This open procurement method primarily falls within the services industry, specifically focusing on economic affairs.

This contract presents significant opportunities for businesses in the digital services sector, particularly those that specialise in developing digital strategies, cybersecurity, and innovative digital content. Small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that can provide tailored digital solutions and support for the creative sector will be well-positioned to compete for future tenders under this framework. Interested suppliers should be prepared to engage with local businesses to maximise the impact of the crowd economy and leverage funding opportunities across the Highlands and Islands.

## Notice

THIS IS A CONTRACT AWARD NOTICE AND AS SUCH THE PROCUREMENT PROCESS IS COMPLETE. The XpoNorth Digital contract is delivered under the Northern Innovation Hub (NIH): the NIH is part of the Inverness and Highland City-Region Deal - a joint initiative supported by GBP315m investment from the UK and Scottish governments, The Highland Council, HIE and the University of the Highlands and Islands. The XpoNorth Digital programme has the specific intention of supporting businesses to develop digital practices and to maximise exploitation of the crowd economy. The services will be required from 1 August 2022 for an initial period of 2 years (until 31 July 2024), with HIE having the option to extend two times for a period or periods together not exceeding 1 year following the Initial Term (2+1+1 years - latest potential expiry date: 31 July 2026). The initial 2-year budget currently available to deliver this service was between GBP 438,000 and GBP 732,000 (excluding VAT). The budget includes funding from HIE to allow the services to be delivered across the whole Highlands and Islands region, although the volume of clients outside of the Highland Council area is currently limited due to funding.

### Lot Information

Lot 1

The programme of activity will work with clients to: -Increase the impact of the crowd economy in the region - more effectively using consumers to buy, to test new ideas on and to promote the business / organisation/community. -Assess opportunities for digital innovation around the individual clients' current business. -Support the planning, development and delivery of new immersive content and experiences to engage consumers more effectively. -Encourage and support the development of new digital business models for the creative sector, including the use of platforms such as Patreon. -Access networks training and advice to maximise exploitation of IP and other assets digitally.. 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: HIE may require the supplier to provide additional services. Any such modification shall be in terms of Regulation 72 of Please see the Scope of Requirements for further details.

Renewal: The Contract will be awarded for an initial period of 2 years with HIE having the option to extend two times for a period or periods together not exceeding 1 year following the Initial Term (2+1+1 years).

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Public Contracts Scotland |
| Latest notice | https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=AUG455661 |
| Notice type | OJEU - F3 - Contract Award Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Open |
| Procurement method details | Open procedure |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | SME |
| All stages | Tender, Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 5 Aug 2022 |
| Submission deadline | 23 May 2022 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 19 Jul 2022 |
| Contract period | Not specified |
| Recurrence | HIE reserves the right to re-tender for these services upon termination of the contract or at the end of the contract period, including any extension period. |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £1,464,000 |
| Lots value | £1,464,000 |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | £1,327,240 |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Complete |
| Awards status | Not specified |
| Contracts status | Active |

## 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 | TLM6 Highlands and Islands |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | IRONWORKS VENUE |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services
- 79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security
- 80 - Education and training services

### Codes

- 73220000 - Development consultancy services
- 79400000 - Business and management consultancy and related services
- 79410000 - Business and management consultancy services
- 79411100 - Business development consultancy services
- 80510000 - Specialist training services
- 80570000 - Personal development training services

## Release History

- 5 Aug 2022 at 00:00 - Award - OJEU - F3 - Contract Award Notice - https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=AUG455661
- 31 Mar 2022 at 00:00 - Tender - OJEU - F2 - Contract Notice - https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=MAR444868

## Documents

- https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/NoticeDownload/DownloadDocument.aspx?id=MAR444868&idx=12
  12th April 2022 - SDP recorded webinar link
- https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/NoticeDownload/DownloadDocument.aspx?id=MAR444868&idx=11
  12th April 2022 - XN Digital webinar slides
- https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/NoticeDownload/DownloadDocument.aspx?id=MAR444868&idx=1
  31st March 2022 - Scope of Requirements and Tender Guidance Notes
- https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/NoticeDownload/DownloadDocument.aspx?id=MAR444868&idx=2
  31st March 2022 - Community Benefits and Fair Work Practices Guidance
- https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/NoticeDownload/DownloadDocument.aspx?id=MAR444868&idx=3
  31st March 2022 - Award Criteria Tender Response Form
- https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/NoticeDownload/DownloadDocument.aspx?id=MAR444868&idx=4
  31st March 2022 - Cyber Security Response Form
- https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/NoticeDownload/DownloadDocument.aspx?id=MAR444868&idx=5
  31st March 2022 - Community Benefits Response Form
- https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/NoticeDownload/DownloadDocument.aspx?id=MAR444868&idx=6
  31st March 2022 - Pricing Proforma
- https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/NoticeDownload/DownloadDocument.aspx?id=MAR444868&idx=7
  31st March 2022 - Fair Work Practices Response Form
- https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/NoticeDownload/DownloadDocument.aspx?id=MAR444868&idx=8
  31st March 2022 - Forms for Signature
- https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/NoticeDownload/DownloadDocument.aspx?id=MAR444868&idx=9
  31st March 2022 - Terms and Conditions
- https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/NoticeDownload/DownloadDocument.aspx?id=MAR444868&idx=10
  31st March 2022 - HIE Conflicts of Interest Policy
- https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=MAR444868
  XpoNorth Digital - The XpoNorth Digital contract is delivered under the Northern Innovation Hub (NIH): the NIH is part of the Inverness and Highland City-Region Deal - a joint initiative supported by GBP315m investment from the UK and Scottish governments, The Highland Council, HIE and the University of the Highlands and Islands. The XpoNorth Digital programme has the specific intention of supporting businesses to develop digital practices and to maximise exploitation of the crowd economy. It is expected that these services will be required from 1 August 2022 for an initial period of 2 years, with HIE having the option to extend two times for a period or periods together not exceeding 1 year following the Initial Term (2+1+1 years). The initial 2-year budget currently available to deliver this service is between GBP 438,000 and GBP 732,000 (excluding VAT). The budget includes funding from HIE to allow the services to be delivered across the whole Highlands and Islands region, although the volume of clients outside of the Highland Council area is currently limited due to funding.
- https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=AUG455661
  XpoNorth Digital - THIS IS A CONTRACT AWARD NOTICE AND AS SUCH THE PROCUREMENT PROCESS IS COMPLETE. The XpoNorth Digital contract is delivered under the Northern Innovation Hub (NIH): the NIH is part of the Inverness and Highland City-Region Deal - a joint initiative supported by GBP315m investment from the UK and Scottish governments, The Highland Council, HIE and the University of the Highlands and Islands. The XpoNorth Digital programme has the specific intention of supporting businesses to develop digital practices and to maximise exploitation of the crowd economy. The services will be required from 1 August 2022 for an initial period of 2 years (until 31 July 2024), with HIE having the option to extend two times for a period or periods together not exceeding 1 year following the Initial Term (2+1+1 years - latest potential expiry date: 31 July 2026). The initial 2-year budget currently available to deliver this service was between GBP 438,000 and GBP 732,000 (excluding VAT). The budget includes funding from HIE to allow the services to be delivered across the whole Highlands and Islands region, although the volume of clients outside of the Highland Council area is currently limited due to funding.

## Notice URLs

- http://
- http://www.hie.co.uk
- http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/hse40.pdf
- http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk
- https://api.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/v1/Notice?id=ocds-r6ebe6-0000684084
- 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-r6ebe6-0000684084. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000684084.json.