CORP - Provision of Growth Support Programme RFQ 6245291

This contract is for the provision of high growth business support to pre-start individuals or companies trading less than 36 months as part of the Lancashire Business Growth Hub. The countywide Growth Support Programme will comprise of three elements:

A High Growth Launchpad for pre start individuals;

A seminar/master class programme for existing businesses who have been trading for less than three years;

A Networking Programme.

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 Growth Support Programme 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.