Tender Opportunity: Business Advice Services

This invitation is issued by Cumbria Chamber of Commerce/Cumbria Business Growth Hub. It covers business advice for the following initiatives delivered within its Cumbria Business Growth Hub umbrella:

- ERDF Growth Hub project (excluding supply chain) - Local authority support to non ERDF eligible businesses (excluding supply chain) - ERDF BSUS Business Start-Up Support project - New Enterprise Allowance - Other potential business support projects/initiatives

We are looking to renew our pool of experienced business advisers (individual advisers and/or specified individuals within an organisation), both generalist and specialist, to carry out business reviews/training needs analyses, develop action plans and deliver advice and coaching to businesses (primarily small and medium sized businesses [SMEs]) and/or potential start-ups in Cumbria.

This will be a flexible pool of contracted advisers, drawn on as needed depending on factors such as levels of demand, client needs and preferences, experience and specialisms.

The pools may also be used for other similar business support projects.

Note that this tender is to replace the existing pool for the relevant projects.

Advisers already contracted must reapply if they wish to continue to work on these projects and/or to work on future projects in the next four years.

Additional information: 25/7 Important note to all bidders: the PQQ has been amended slightly since the opportunity was initially published and the correct version is V3

Project Funding

The current BSUS and Growth Hub ERDF projects are supported by the Chamber, Lancaster University, University of Cumbria, Barrow Borough Council, Carlisle City Council, Eden District Council, South Lakeland District Council and the European Regional Development Fund Programme 2014-2020. The Department for Communities and Local Government is the managing authority for the European Regional Development Fund Programme, which is one of the funds established by the European Commission to help local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support local businesses and create jobs. For more information visit www.communities.gov.uk/erdf. It is anticipated that any follow on projects will be similarly funded.

The New Enterprise Allowance initiative is matched with the European Social Fund as part of the 2014-2020 European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme in England. The Department for Work and Pensions is the Managing Authority for the England European Social Fund programme. Established by the European Union, the European Social Fund helps local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support skills development, employment and job creation, social inclusion and local community regenerations. For more information visit https://www.gov.uk/european-growth-funding.

Funding arrangements vary for other projects.