Invitation to Tender - Summative Assessment & Legacy Summary of Access to Finance

Oxford Innovation Advice (OIA) is the UK's leading specialist business support company. We work with businesses at all stages of development to maximise their growth potential, benefiting both the enterprise and its people through uniquely tailored programmes. OIA was awarded a three-year project to deliver financial readiness support in Cornwall & Isles of Scilly, starting in January 2017, and following high levels of performance, was subsequently extended by another 3 years to its current end date of 31st December 2022. The Access to Finance project (A2F) is financed by the Cornwall & Isles of Scilly European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), part of the European Structural Investment Fund (ESIF) portfolio 2015 to 2020. The fund was established by the European Commission to help improve the competitiveness of SMEs by increasing their capacity and capability and promoting entrepreneurship to strengthen the pipeline of high growth businesses across England. The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities is the managing authority. A2F is a flagship business support project for enterprises throughout Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly and continues to attract significant attention from all stakeholders. A2F's team of highly experienced Business Finance Specialists work with eligible* businesses seeking to achieve growth and thus drive forward economic success. In addition to the original 550 businesses signed up to the Project, support is being delivered to a further 550 businesses through workshops, masterclasses and 1:1 mentoring in the development of compelling funding applications and raises. The source of these funds includes traditional debt, grant, angels and VCs plus emerging sources including the Crowd.

Key objectives of this brief To obtain competitive tender proposals from suitably qualified providers for the provision of a project evaluation and final summative assessment report, with a summary in line with the requirements of the ERDF summative assessment guidance and requirements. See attached briefing document for full detail.

Please complete the Supplier Questionnaire and provide a Tender Proposal as requested in Annex 1. Contact details: Any queries regarding this must be sent by e-mail to: Ben Norton, Project Operations Manager, [email protected]

Suppliers must confirm their expression of interest in this tender by e-mailing the above contact to ensure you receive any further information and clarifications. Deadline: 31/01/2022 - 11am

Additional information: Please download the documents for full information and instructions and submit your tender by 11am on 31st January 2022 by e-mail to [email protected].

Suppliers must also register their interest in this opportunity by e-mailing us asap and to ensure you receive any further clarifications if applicable