Project Evaluation and Summative Assessment Services for AeroSpace Cornwall

AeroSpace Cornwall is a programme which promotes research, development and innovation (RD&I), funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and Cornwall Council.

The programme, which runs from December 2019 to December 2022, will support at least sixty businesses through grants and specialist business support whilst leveraging £1,375,639 of match funding from the private sector. It aims to;

• Increase the performance and competitiveness of local enterprises, create highly skilled jobs and launch new products into the marketplace

• Develop the 'innovation ecosystem' for the space and aerospace clusters by incentivising local businesses to collaborate with other businesses and research institutions to accelerate their innovation.

• Increase the value and capability of the local space and aerospace clusters and secure ongoing investment in them.

AeroSpace Cornwall also supports inward investors by awarding soft landing packages and investment incentives, with the aim of encouraging collaboration with other businesses across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

AeroSpace Cornwall works closely with other programmes (for example Cornwall Trade and Investment and Spaceport Cornwall) to ensure businesses experience a 'joined up' approach to support and funding and to ensure the overall messaging about Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly is aligned.

AeroSpace Cornwall works with manufacturing and engineering businesses who are, or aspire to be, part of the space / aerospace supply chains and digital businesses such as those developing software applications in the satellite communications, earth observation, navigation and meteorology areas.

Cornwall Development Company is seeking to commission a single contractor to carry out the following evaluations for the AeroSpace Cornwall programme;

• A baseline evaluation - Completed by December 2020

This phase will include the creation of a Summative Assessment Plan by September 2020, evaluation of the processes involved in delivering the Programme and capture of baseline evidence for the 'Project Context' for the Summative Assessment Final Report. See guidance via link below;

• An interim evaluation - Completed by September 2021

The aim of the interim evaluation focuses on gathering evidence of 'Project Progress' for the Summative Assessment Final Report and evaluates progress against the Summative Assessment Plan. The interim evaluation should include the outputs achieved to date and make suggestions for further improvements which can be incorporated within delivery for the final twelve months of the programme.

• Final evaluation - Delivered by July 2022

The final evaluation should provide evidence for 'Outcomes and Impact, Value for Money, Conclusions and Lessons Learnt' for the Summative Assessment Final report and evaluate gross and net additional impact. A Summative Assessment Final Report should be created assessing the potential legacy of the programme.