Provision of Business Technical Support

Digital Innovation for Growth (DIfG) is a fully funded programme that runs across the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined authority, to help businesses adopt technology and innovation. The aim is to help these organisations access and understand the different technologies that are available to them to maximise efficiency and adopt new ways of working.

It is part-financed by the England European Regional Development Fund as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020. Organisations are linked with experts from Sheffield Hallam University as well as having access the new Makerlab at DMC 02 to test their ideas and see what is possible.

Barnsley Council is seeking a provider to deliver the technical business support to DIFG beneficiary businesses within the Makerlab, and to curate a programme and content for a series of events between March 2022 and June 2023. The Makerlab operating hours will be Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm and technical support is required for any business wishing to access the space during these hours on a pre-booked basis. This support will include assessment of the beneficiaries' challenge and proposed solution (where one exists), and the provision of support to develop ideas further using the on site facilities and their technical expertise. The provider will also be expected to ensure that beneficiaries use the facility safely and within all health and safety guidance, following any mandatory training that may be required to access the equipment.

Additionally, the provider will be required to develop a 16 month programme of activity to deliver a range of online and offline events using the Makerlab and other DMC spaces that share 'art of the possible' examples of digital innovation.