CORP - Provision of Marketing Services (Growth Development Hub) RFQ 6245290

Lancashire County Council through its economic development company LCDL are seeking a marketing partner to work with them building and developing the Growth Hub in Lancashire (Boost Business Lancashire). Through our unique partnership across the County, (bringing together key influential providers of growth enabling support) we seek a new, challenging and dynamic interpretation that will foster a paradigm shift in how business support is valued and taken up within Lancashire (12 LCC districts plus 2 unitary authorities). We will build on the work already undertaken energising and refreshing the successful activity to date, and seeking to further engage with the talented, committed and growing business community in Lancashire. The successful tenderer will add value to the Marketing Activities of the existing Growth Hub Delivery Partners, (to be separately procured, and will include Boost gateway service, growth mentoring and a growth start-up service) and has a specific aim of reaching a new audience of eligible SME's that have not previously engaged with public sector business support (as well as making sure that those that we currently engage with understand potential opportunities for further growth support to further accelerate their growing ambitions). It is the Authority's intention to apply for ERDF funding and in the event of such funding not being secured the Authority will not be in a position to award the contract.

Additional information: The tender documents are available on the Lancashire County Council's electronic tendering site http://www.lancashire.gov.uk/corporate/web/?siteid=6864&pageid=41137&e=e. Use of this system does not require high specification IT equipment or connections, nor high level personal IT skills/capabilities. Access to the system/software and advice is free of charge. Please note - if you do not already have a supplier account on the new e-tendering system (Oracle), you will be required to obtain a DUNS number, this can take a number of days to be issued and is required as part of the system registration, therefore, tenderers are advised to allow plenty of time for registration and to do this as early as possible during the tender period. Registration is necessary in order to view the tender details and obtain tender documentation. It is the Authority's intention to apply for ERDF funding and in the event of such funding not being secured, the Authority will not be in a position to award the contract. It is a condition precedent to the award of the contract that ERDF funding is secured. It is envisaged that the contract for the provision of Marketing Services will commence on or around the 1st of February 2016. The contract will expire on the 31st of December 2018. However, the Council in its absolute discretion may extend the contract by any number of defined periods provided always that the total maximum duration of the contract does not exceed 5 years.