Invitation to Tender
Public Affairs: Northamptonshire Enterprise Partnership (NEP)
1.0 Introduction
Northamptonshire is the place for growth, with unrivalled access to a substantial UK market and quick links to Europe. Literally, at the heart of business and infrastructure networks, Northamptonshire’s prime location is not only a key factor in the development of the local economy, but also a catalyst in helping it to remain one of the fastest growing places in the UK, bolstered by a highly skilled and rapidly growing workforce.
An established base location for global brands (including Barclaycard, Avon, Carlsberg UK, Travis Perkins, Weetabix, Yusen Logistics, Cosworth, Mercedes-Benz, Church’s and more) we are at the forefront of the UK’s economic recovery; the collaborative approach of partners towards business innovation and inward investment, business support and funding, infrastructure, housing and skills are all testament to our business integrity and ambition for growth, taking the Northamptonshire businesses further, faster.
We know that Northamptonshire is the place for growth, but it is equally important that the rest of the UK and beyond does.
For more information about Northamptonshire visit lovenorthamptonshire.com
2.0 NEP Background
NEP is one of the 39 LEPs nationally, with responsibility for driving economic growth in partnership with the private and public sector. We have secured £47million of European funding which will enable our businesses to grow and our people to develop new skills. Our Strategic Economic Plan (SEP) articulates our 2021 ambition to create an extra 32,500 jobs, build an additional 37,000 new homes and grow our overall economy by 30%. Locally, a £100million Revolving Infrastructure Fund has been created to help pump-prime the development needed to deliver this ambition, and we will be looking for Government to demonstrate a similar level of commitment.
NEP has an excellent record in working effectively with Northamptonshire businesses, and we see the further development of this joint working as a key part of our business in 2014, helping our businesses to go further, faster. Northamptonshire’s economy is set for continued growth during 2014, with the Strategic Economic Plan providing the necessary focus to achieve this. For further information please visit www.northamptonshireep.co.uk
NEP is different than many LEPs, in that it has a strong track record in delivering products and services to businesses, and is effectively resourced to do this. 2013 was an important year for the Northamptonshire economy, our businesses and our workforce. We saw an extra 2,200 new jobs created, alongside a significant reduction in the number of people looking for work, which reduced by over 3,700 during the year. Northamptonshire is on track to deliver an ambitious annual growth target of 1% a year over and above national levels.
However, NEP is at a key point of transition as it gears up to deliver its SEP and European Structural and Investment Fund (ESIF) Strategy, moving from a strong delivery focus to an organisation that is equally known for its:
· Strategic Capability
· Economic Intelligence
· Inclusivity
· Commissioning capability
· Whole System Mobilisation
It is important that NEP’s transition is communicated to a wider audience, with NEP perceived as one of the leading Local Enterprise Partnerships.
3.0 Purpose of this Tender
Tender submissions are invited to work with NEP to re-position it nationally as one of the leading LEPs, recognised for both its delivery and strategic capability, and one of the key organisations whose opinions matter. The successful organisation will need to identify key opportunities for NEP’s offer to be presented to national, international, regional and local audiences. Thereby:
· Positioning NEP as a preeminent voice on SEP related areas (whole economy: skills, business innovation and inward investment, infrastructure and housing) See Appendix One: Strategy on a Page
· Enhancing NEP’s reputation as a high performing LEP; the driving force for economic growth in Northamptonshire.
· Promoting NEP as a thought leader in the national LEP landscape.
4.0 Target Audiences
National government at political, official and advisory level; and influential ‘think-tanks; and networked influencers. A detailed scope (dependent on the proposal put forward by the successful candidate) will be agreed in due course.
5.0 Working arrangements
Whilst promoting the interests of Northamptonshire and Northamptonshire Enterprise Partnership, it is recognised that much of this work will be undertaken outside of the area. The contract will be managed by Jo Lappin, Chief Executive, Northamptonshire Enterprise Partnership.
6.0 Timing
Work to commence in July 2014 and to run initially for a 12 month period until the end of June 2015, with the opportunity to renew as an annual contract based upon performance in the initial period and available budget July 2015 onwards.
7.0 Budget
£10,000 plus VAT. Competitive pricing is an assessment criterion. Payment terms are 30 days.
8.0 Selection and Appraisal process
Interested parties are invited to submit a written proposal (of no more than three pages) for an annual Public Affairs lobbying contract to enable delivery of the objectives outlined in section 3.0, which relate to the priorities referenced in section 4.0.
Proposals should include:
· Recommendations on the strategic approach
· Evidence of work in a similar field
· Demonstrable understanding of the potential scope of the contract and those issues that will be critical to the implementation, development and long term success of the activity
· A budget breakdown
· Details and credentials of who would work on the account
Submissions will be assessed against the criteria, with the successful applicants invited to a discuss proposals and credentials in more detail on June 25th 2014.
9.0 Required reading
Applicants are invited to refer to the following whilst preparing submissions.
· Northamptonshire Strategic Economic Plan:
http://www.northamptonshireep.co.uk/resources/uploads/files/SEP%20FINAL%20DOCUMENT.pdf
· Prospectus for Investment:
http://www.northamptonshireep.co.uk/resources/uploads/files/Investment%20Propectus%20NEW_WEB.pdf
· NEP website:
www.northamptonshireep.co.uk
10.0 Selection criteria
While cost will be one of the criteria that we use to choose our preferred agency, equal weight will also be given to how well you have understood our needs stated above, the quality of the solution that you offer us and the degree of rapport that we feel towards your style of working.
11.0 Timeline
May 21st Tender document issued
June 16th 10am Written responses received via email
June 18th Shortlisted applicants notified
June 24th Meeting with NEP in person
June 30th Successful applicant notified and in a position to commence activity July 1st 2014
Submissions should be made by email to:
with a copy to:
Please note that it is important that at the second stage the selection team meet the staff that would work on the NEP account. If you have any questions, please contact Mark on the above email address.
12.0 Conditions of Tender
12.1 Representations
A tenderer may contact officers of NEL to obtain any further information about the requirements of the contract or the tendering procedures if these are not evident or clear from the documents supplied to tenderers.
12.2 Specification
For the avoidance of doubt, the contract specification shall include all requirements explicit or implied within the invitation to tender.
It must be recognised that NEL reserve the right to withdraw this tender document and all funding contained within it without notice.
12.3 Tenders Excluded
No tender will be considered for acceptance if the tenderer has indulged or attempted to indulge in any corrupt practice or canvassed the tender with officer of NEL. If a tenderer has indulged or attempted to indulge in such practices and the tender is accepted, then grounds shall exist for the termination of the contract and the claiming damages from the successful tenderers.
It is unlikely that any tender will be accepted which (a) is incomplete or inaccurately or inadequately completed or which purports to impose conditions other than those provided in the contract documents and (b) is delivered out of time or in a manner other than specified in the specification.
12.4 Collusive Tendering
In submitting a tender against this contract, the tenderer confirms that he has not fixed or adjusted the amount of the tender by or under or in accordance with any agreement or arrangement with any other person.
The tenderer also certifies that at no time, before or following the submission of the tender, has the Tenderer carried out any of the following acts:
Ø communicating to a person other than the person calling for the tenders the amount or approximate amount of the proposed tender, except where such disclosure is required for the purpose of obtaining insurance;
Ø entering into any agreement or arrangement with any person that he shall refrain from tendering or as to the amount of any tender to be submitted;
Ø offering or paying or giving or agreeing to give any sum of money or valuable consideration directly or indirectly to any person for doing or having done or causing or having caused to be done in relation to any other tender or proposed tender for the said work any act or thing of the sort described above. The context of this clause the word ‘person’ includes any persons and anybody or association, corporate or unincorporated; and ‘any agreement or arrangement’ includes any such transaction, formal or informal, and whether legally binding or not.
12.5 Freedom of Information
Information in relation to this tender may be made available on demand in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
Tenderers should state if any of the information supplied by them is confidential or commercially sensitive or should not be disclosed in response to a request for information under the Act. Tenderers should state why they consider the information to be confidential or commercially sensitive. This will not guarantee that the information will not be disclosed but will be examined in the light of the exemptions provided in the Act.
It is important to note that information may be commercially sensitive for a time (e.g. during a tender process) but afterwards it may not be. The timing of any request for information may be extremely important in determining whether or not information is exempt. However Tenderers should note that no information is likely to be regarded as exempt forever.
Appendix One overleaf: Strategy on a Page