II.1.1) Title
Glasgow Business Growth Programme- Phase 4 Framework
Reference number: GCC006583CPU
II.1.2) Main CPV code
79410000
II.1.3) Type of contract
Services
II.1.4) Short description
Glasgow City Council (GCC) manages a framework for the delivery of consultancy services in the area of Business Growth. The consultancy services are delivered to SMEs with growth potential across the city, to help deliver sustainable and inclusive growth and improve business start-up and survival rates in the city. With the current framework concluding in March 2027, GCC is now looking to establish a new framework.
These services are delivered under a multi-Lot framework, through a mix of 1-2-1, both face to face and online, and group consultancy sessions related to an anticipated 10 specific specialist areas.
The council encourage bids from businesses of all sizes, including sole traders, and encourage a diverse and competitive supplier base. The procurement process has been designed to be proportionate, transparent and accessible, with requirements focused on capability and delivery rather than organisational size. Sole traders are encouraged to engage where they can demonstrate their ability to meet the specified requirements.
II.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT:
1 900 000.00
GBP
II.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots:
Yes
Lot No: 1
II.2.1) Title
Business Structuring Business Governance, Legal and IP
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
71317210
66519310
72221000
72224000
79400000
79341100
79413000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKM82
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
The Business Governance, Legal and IP Lot will provide support to help determine the assignment and coordination of roles, power and responsibilities within a business. It also defines how information flows between the different levels of management. Introducing a formal organisational structure can help put your business in a better position to achieve its objectives.
Services for this Lot should include, but not be limited to, the following:
Board Development
Company Structuring
Franchising
Business Succession
Company Governance
Ethical Management
Intellectual Property
Lot No: 2
II.2.1) Title
Business Growth, Sustainable Growth and Productivity
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
72221000
72224000
79411000
79411100
79400000
79410000
79418000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKM82
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
The Sustainable Growth and Productivity lot will provide support to identify areas of improvement processes which help with improving some measure of an enterprise's success.
Business growth can be achieved either by boosting the top line or revenue of the business with greater product sales or service income, or
by increasing the bottom line or profitability of the operation by minimizing costs. Business growth is a function of the business lifecycle and can be influenced by industry growth trends.
Services for this Lot should include, but not be limited to, the following:
Strategic Planning
Sales & Marketing
Change Management
Pitching & Procurement
Procurement
Operations Management
Turnaround
Mergers & Acquisitions
Lot No: 3
II.2.1) Title
Upskilling, Leadership and Resources
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
79414000
79411100
79411000
79410000
79400000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKM82
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
The Upskilling, Leadership and resources lot will provide support to involve reviewing existing Leadership Development processes and preparing a report on their future suitability and/or making recommendations for future actions. It will also provide a range of support across leadership and management as well as capacity building and comprehensive HR support.
Services for this Lot should include, but not be limited to, the following:
Organisational Development and Succession Planning
Leadership and Management
Capacity Building and HR Support
Lot No: 4
II.2.1) Title
Financial Readiness and Planning
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
66170000
66171000
79412000
79411000
79410000
79400000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKM82
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
The Finance Lot will allow support to be provided across a range of areas which will help with the efficient and effective management of money / funds in such a manner as to accomplish the objectives of the organisation. Strategic financial management not only manages a company's finances but allows them to be managed with the intention to succeed.
Services for this Lot should include, but not be limited to, the following:
Financial Management
Financial Readiness
Preparing for Investment
Alternative Finance
Company Valuation
Taxation
Lot No: 5
II.2.1) Title
Design and System processing
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
79400000
79410000
79411000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKM82
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
The Design and System Processing Lot will integrate design thinking principles into a range of organisations across different industry sectors.
Promoting the use of design principles and educating SMEs on the benefits directly linked to innovation, sustainability and resilience, this Lot will see an increase in available support that creates design-led companies who can improve effective strategy and product/service development and manage organisational change.
Services for this Lot should include, but not be limited to, the following:
Problem Solving
Development
Testing and validation
Lot No: 6
II.2.1) Title
Sales and Digital Marketing
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
79410000
79400000
79411000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKM82
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
Sales and marketing share two key roles within businesses: attracting more customers and developing and retaining the existing customer base. They also share the collective underlying goal of bringing in more revenue. When sales and marketing work together a substantial improvement is seen on important performance metrics. Variations persist between Business to Consumer (B2C) and Business to Business (B2B) and as a result of differing routes to market (particularly considering the impact of digital) but the above holds fairly true irrespective of the business model.
Expert services under this Sales and Digital Marketing Lot assist businesses with the practical approach to marketing, including writing a marketing plan and establishing a marketing communications plan for integrating traditional and digital communications. It will also offer support with developing a marketing and/ or sales strategy, with pricing and market penetration strategies
Services for this Lot fall under the following sub-categories;
Digital Sales:
Marketing Strategies:
Branding:
SEO Maximisation including Social Media and website
Lot No: 7
II.2.1) Title
Preparing for Global Growth
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
79413000
79412000
79411100
79411000
79410000
79400000
72221000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKM82
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
The Internationalisation Lot will support businesses access overseas markets, offering an opportunity to increase sales to a much wider customer base. Exporting can be profitable for businesses of all sizes and lead to new job opportunities. Scottish businesses trading internationally have high productivity rates and are often more competitive, with research suggesting that SMEs who export perform better financially and grow more than twice as fast as those that do not.
There is already a comprehensive support structure nationally through SDI for exporting support, therefore this Lot aims to fill the gaps in expertise or support businesses unable to leverage other public sector support.
Services for this Lot should include, but not be limited to, the following:
Support for Exporting , including tariffs and taxes
Market Analysis and Development
Structuring for Internationalisation
Lot No: 8
II.2.1) Title
Digital Transformation
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
79411100
79411000
79410000
79400000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKM82
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
The Digital Lot will provide support to businesses to use technology to benefit to its internal and external operations. The types of digital support will be varied but will allow businesses to use Technology solutions to help their business to the next level.
Services for this Lot should include, but not be limited to, the following:
Social Media
eCommerce Support
Data Analytics
Mobile or internet technologies
Customisation of software or App development
Cloud Computing
AI
Digital Strategy
Cyber Security
Lot No: 9
II.2.1) Title
Sustainable and Net Zero support
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
79412000
79411100
79411000
79410000
79400000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKM82
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
Sustainability expert support topics span core pillars like environmental compliance, carbon accounting, circularity, and ESG reporting. They also encompass strategic organisational needs, including Leadership & Culture, Carbon Accounting & Carbon Baseline Assessment, Supply Chain Engagement and Regulatory Compliance & Climate Risk
Services for this Lot should include, but not be limited to, the following:
Leadership and Culture
Carbon Accounting and Carbon Baseline Assessment
Regulatory Compliance and Climate Risk
Sustainability and Sustainable Marketing
Circular Economy
Lot No: 10
II.2.1) Title
Business Acceleration
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
79412000
79411100
79411000
79410000
79400000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKM82
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
This Lot will provide support in a different, shorter, more targeted, and innovative way for organisations at various stages of growth. Since the pandemic feedback from businesses has shown that most are now looking for shorter, sharper more focussed interventions. These interventions could focus on emerging themes and could target the key and emerging sectors. It is envisaged that these interventions will be demand driven and will be required on an as needed basis. They could combine traditional teaching methodologies with guidance and mentorship.
These programmes could include expert support from Lots 1-9 Business Growth; Business Structuring; Leadership and Skills; Financial Management; Design Thinking and Innovation; Sales and Marketing; Internationalisation; Digital Development and Innovation and Green Business Support.
Suppliers will be contacted by the Council when a specific intervention is required,
Evidence suggests that organisations who engage with business accelerators benefit from the opportunity presented, leading to greater collaboration with other entrepreneurs and businesses that can yield benefits that allow the business to grow at an accelerated rate.
An overview of the objections and intentions of Accelerator programmes is;
Acceleration: Learning-by-doing is vital to the process of scaling any venture, and the point of any type of acceleration programme is to accelerate that process. In this way, businesses are able to compress a large amount of learning into a shorter period of time. Our Accelerator programmes will deliver relevant, accessible and practical learning for the leaders of ambitious businesses in the city looking to scale up. It will equip participants with the skills and tools to shape their own learning. It could encourage participants to take ownership of their own development and assume responsibility for coaching their own management teams to embed learning throughout the organisation. It may also help to address organisational, operational, and strategic challenges that the business may face It could also include access to experienced entrepreneurs and mentors, business model refinement, advice on start-up capital, and the opportunity to pitch to potential investors.
Any Accelerator programmes required under this Lot will require to be delivered over a specified period. Most programmes will accommodate between 12 – 15 eligible organisations, with a maximum of 15 participating in any programme. Smaller cohorts may be required on occasion.
Glasgow’s Economic Strategy 2022 – 2030 outlines the aim of having the most productive city economy in the UK by 2030. The Glasgow Economic Strategy 2022-2030 addresses our most pressing challenges and opportunities. It sets out the clearly defined actions we will take to deliver an inclusive, sustainable and more productive economy for our city Underpinning a range of early actions are nine key themes, one of which is growing our economy. For Glasgow to further realise it’s ambition and build on current progress, the continued growth of businesses, in particular SMEs, remains a key contributing factor.
The council therefore intends to run a tender exercise later in 2026 for the Glasgow Business Growth Programme – Phase 4 Framework. A high-level description of the Lots and services that may be required as part of this Framework are detailed in this Prior Information Notice (PIN). Prior to any publication, the council is undertaking market research to inform the procurement and to ensure industry feedback is used to shape, as appropriate, the overall strategy.
In conjunction with the Supplier Development Programme all interested organisations are encouraged to participate in the sessions offered to support the bidding process.
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