International Trade Consultants Framework

Business Support Solutions (BSS) wishes to appoint a Panel of Business Consultants to augment the existing International Trade Advisory services delivered by BSS across the North West Region. BSS delivers the Department for International Trade (DIT) services which is also supported by European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). Across all the various lots, the framework will deliver in the first year 125 Business Assists to companies requiring support in one or more of the area listed. Each business assist will consist of a maximum of 12 hours of intensive support on specific international trade areas (2 consultancy days of 6 hours per day). Delivery must be face to face or market research agreed with the client. Face to face support may be delivered either entirely on a one to one basis, a blend of one to one and internal group of executives or a blend of one to one and external group of mixed business executives, and be flexible and tailored to meet the specific needs of an individual business. The Framework is being operated similar to a Dynamic Procurement System in that bidders of the services will complete an Indicative Tender (bid) which will be evaluated. Decisions to admit to the Framework will be made within 15 calendar days of submission. Successful and non-successful suppliers will be notified if they have been admitted to the Framework. The Framework will remain open to new applicants throughout the life of the contract. The contract period will be for 12 months, with an option, to extend for a further period of 3 years (subject to funding). The initial period will end on the 30th September 2018.

The likely value of activity under this framework for the first year is £160,000 excluding VAT.

If BSS are successful if securing further funding the contract may be extended. If extended the maximum spend on this contract will be £2,000,000 excluding VAT.

Please note that the contract start date is the 1st September 2017

Additional information: You are required to make your ITT submission via the The Growth Company In-tend e-tendering platform. You are required to complete a basic registration as a supplier on the In-tend Supplier Platform at the following web address: https://in-tendhost.co.uk/manchestergrowthcompany/aspx/Home. Please note that all mandatory fields (highlighted in yellow on the In-Tend Portal) must be completed in order to register your organisation.