Contract notice
Section I: Contracting
authority
I.1) Name and addresses
Inverclyde Council
Procurement, Municipal Buildings, Clyde Square
Greenock
PA15 1LX
UK
Telephone: +44 1475712634
E-mail: procurement@Inverclyde.gov.uk
NUTS: UKM83
Internet address(es)
Main address: http://www.inverclyde.gov.uk
Address of the buyer profile: https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA00168
I.3) Communication
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge at:
https://www.publictendersscotland.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk
Additional information can be obtained from the abovementioned address
Tenders or requests to participate must be sent electronically to:
https://www.publictendersscotland.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/
I.4) Type of the contracting authority
Regional or local authority
I.5) Main activity
General public services
Section II: Object
II.1) Scope of the procurement
II.1.1) Title
Business Gateway Services in Inverclyde
Reference number: CPO592/REG
II.1.2) Main CPV code
79400000
II.1.3) Type of contract
Services
II.1.4) Short description
Inverclyde Council is inviting tenders for the provision of Business Gateway services in the Inverclyde Council area.
The successful contractor must undertake the following three Business Gateway core service areas:
a. Start-up Advisory Service;
b. Growth Advisory Service; and
c. Business Gateway Local Services.
II.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots:
No
II.2) Description
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
79400000
79410000
79411100
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKM83
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
The successful delivery of Business Gateway requires a range of general and specialist business support services, so it is expected that the contractor will lead a team that will provide a range of expert services.
The detailed requirements of each of the three core Business Gateway services are set out in the Specification. The successful contractor will comply with them, with a particular focus on maintaining new business registration numbers, including Early Stage Growth and the provision of support to assist with the growth and sustainability of existing businesses within Inverclyde, particularly those businesses on the Growth Advisory Service. The contractor will also be expected to engage in other economic development activities, such as the promotion of community benefits, employability projects and events, and targeted business advice to priority sectors.
The contractor will be expected to keep the CRM system up to date.
The contractor will be expected to participate in local advertising and promotion, which may include talks to local business forums, including the Chamber of Commerce.
The council is striving to provide a convenient service to its clients and is seeking to minimise the possible disruption with the need to travel to seek Business Gateway services. A Business Gateway office will help promote a strong brand presence in the market. It is therefore a requirement that the contractor be based locally within a central area of Inverclyde.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Criteria below:
Quality criterion: Achievement of start-up and Early Stage Growth targets
/ Weighting: 8
Quality criterion: Achievement of Growth Advisory Service target
/ Weighting: 8
Quality criterion: Local events
/ Weighting: 5
Quality criterion: Local services: Expertise to support ESG and growth businesses
/ Weighting: 7
Quality criterion: Implementation of local and regional strategies
/ Weighting: 5
Quality criterion: Social Value Outcomes Menu
/ Weighting: 3
Quality criterion: Social Value Supporting Methodology
/ Weighting: 2
Quality criterion: Fair Work First
/ Weighting: 2
Price
/ Weighting:
60%
II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Start:
16/09/2025
End:
31/03/2027
This contract is subject to renewal: Yes
Description of renewals:
The contract will have an option to extend from 1st April 2027 until 31st March 2028
II.2.9) Information about the limits on the number of candidates to be invited
II.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted:
No
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
No
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
II.2.14) Additional information
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.
Section III: Legal, economic, financial and technical information
III.1) Conditions for participation
III.1.2) Economic and financial standing
List and brief description of selection criteria:
4B.1.2 Inverclyde Council will check the financial status of applicants by means of a Dun and Bradstreet assessment. In order to be considered, applicants must achieve one of the following:
(a) Where the tenderers Dun & Bradstreet risk indicator is 3, the annual contract value should also be less than 50% of the tenderers average turnover over the preceding 2 years (with audited accounts dated within 24 months of the date of the financial check).
OR
(b) Where the tenderers Dun & Bradstreet risk indicator is 2 or better, the annual contract value should also be less than 75% of the tenderers average turnover over the preceding 2 years (with audited accounts dated within 21 months of the date of the financial check).
PLEASE NOTE THE IMPORTANT GUIDANCE TO BIDDERS BELOW:
APPLICANTS ARE STRONGLY ADVISED TO SATISFY THEMSELVES THAT THEY MEET THESE CRITERIA AS FAILURE OF THE FINANCIAL CHECK WILL MEAN THAT THEIR APPLICATION WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED FURTHER. APPLICANTS SHOULD ALSO SATISFY THEMSELVES THAT THEIR DUN AND BRADSTREET RATINGS ARE CORRECT AND IT IS THE APPLICANT’S RESPONSIBILITY TO RAISE ANY QUERIES WITH DUN AND BRADSTREET IF THEY FEEL A CORRECTION IS REQUIRED. THE COUNCIL WILL RELY ON THE RISK RATING IT OBTAINS AT THE TIME IT PERFORMS THE D&B FINANCIAL CHECK.
You must provide your average yearly turnover for the last 2 years.
Turnover must be provided from your audited accounts. Turnover from unaudited accounts or part year turnover will not be accepted.
If you are unable to provide the turnover information required due to being exempt from submission of full audited accounts, please provide an explanation on why you are exempt in response to this question.
If you have responded that you are exempt from submitting full audited accounts, please confirm that you will be prepared to submit alternative information and documentation on your financial position should this be required at any point. This information could be required at selection or in the event that the bidder is identified as the preferred bidder.
Minimum level(s) of standards required:
4B.5.1a/4B.5.1b/4B.5.2 It is a requirement of this contract that bidders hold, or can commit to obtain prior to the commencement of any subsequently awarded contract, the types and levels of insurance indicated below:
Employer's (Compulsory) Liability Insurance = 5M GBP
Public Liability Insurance = 5M GBP
Professional Indemnity Insurance = 2M GBP
III.1.3) Technical and professional ability
List and brief description of selection criteria:
4C.1.2 Bidders should provide a minimum of two (2) examples of contractual arrangements they have held over the past three (3) years which best demonstrates their relevant experience to deliver requirements within the Contract which were similar in regards to scope, scale, value and duration.
4C.6 Bidders will be required to confirm that they have the following relevant educational and professional qualifications:
Business Advisors to hold Premier Advisor Programme Certificate or The Diploma in Business Advice & Support at SCQF Level 8.
4C.10 Bidders will be required to confirm whether they intend to subcontract and, if so, for what proportion of the contract.
4D.1 QUALITY MANAGEMENT PROCEDURES
The bidder must hold a UKAS (or equivalent) accredited independent third party certificate of compliance in accordance with BS EN ISO 9001 (or equivalent),
OR
The bidder must have the following:
a. A documented policy regarding quality management. The policy must set out responsibilities for quality management demonstrating that the bidder has, and continues to implement, a quality management policy that is authorised by their Chief Executive, or equivalent, which is periodically reviewed at a senior management level. The policy must be relevant to the nature and scale of the work to be undertaken and set out responsibilities for quality management throughout the organisation.
4D.1 HEALTH & SAFETY
The bidder must hold a UKAS (or equivalent), accredited independent third party certificate of compliance in accordance with BS OHSAS 18001 (or equivalent) or have, within the last 12 months, successfully met the assessment requirements of a construction-related scheme in registered membership of the Safety Schemes in Procurement (SSIP) forum OR hold the information contained in the supplier attachment area in PCS-T (file name "Contract Notice Additional Information")
III.2) Conditions related to the contract
III.2.3) Information about staff responsible for the performance of the contract
Obligation to indicate the names and professional qualifications of the staff assigned to performing the contract
Section IV: Procedure
IV.1) Description
IV.1.1) Type of procedure
Open procedure
IV.1.8) Information about Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement:
Yes
IV.2) Administrative information
IV.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate
Date:
13/06/2025
Local time: 12:00
IV.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted
EN
IV.2.7) Conditions for opening of tenders
Date:
13/06/2025
Local time: 12:00
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.1) Information about recurrence
This is a recurrent procurement:
Yes
Estimated timing for further notices to be published:
If the services are still required and budget is confirmed then a retender may be undertaken
VI.2) Information about electronic workflows
Electronic invoicing will be accepted
Electronic payment will be used
VI.3) Additional information
Tenderers will be required to return with their submission a completed Data Protection Certificate, FOI Certificate, No Collusion Certification, S1 Equalities Questionnaire, S2 Equalities Declaration, Prompt Payment Certificate and Tender Declaration Certificate.
It will also be a condition of contract that Tenderers comply with Inverclyde Council`s General Conditions of Contract, Special Conditions of Contract, Specification & Contract Information for Tenderers.
The buyer is using PCS-Tender to conduct this ITT exercise. The Project code is 29047. For more information see: http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/info/InfoCentre.aspx?ID=2343
Community benefits are included in this requirement. For more information see: https://www.gov.scot/policies/public-sector-procurement/community-benefits-in-procurement/
A summary of the expected community benefits has been provided as follows:
Community Benefits form part of the technical evaluation criteria. 20 Social Value Points would be the Councils expectation for a contract of this value and duration. It will be a contractual requirement that the successful tenderer deliver the Community Benefits offered during the contract period.
(SC Ref:796470)
VI.4) Procedures for review
VI.4.1) Review body
Greenock Sheriff Court and Justice of the Peace Court
Sheriff Court House,1 Nelson Street,
Greenock
PA15 1TR
UK
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
13/05/2025