TENDER OPPORTUNITY: BUSINESS ADVICE SERVICES

This invitation is issued by Cumbria Chamber of Commerce/Cumbria Business Growth Hub. It covers business advice for the following initiatives delivered within its Cumbria Business Growth Hub umbrella: ERDF Growth Hub project (including supply chain) ERDF BSUS Business Start-Up Support project New Enterprise Allowance Other potential business support projects/initiatives We are looking to renew our pool of experienced business advisers (individual advisers and/or specified individuals within an organisation), both generalist and specialist, to carry out business reviews/training needs analyses, develop action plans and deliver advice and coaching to businesses (primarily small and medium-sized businesses [SMEs]) and/or potential start-ups in Cumbria. This will be a flexible pool of contracted advisers, drawn on as needed depending on factors such as levels of demand, client needs and preferences, experience and specialisms. The pool may also be used for other similar business support projects. Note that this tender is to replace the existing pool for the relevant projects. Advisers already contracted must reapply if they wish to continue to work on these projects and/or to work on future projects in the next four years. Timescales The current ERDF projects run until approximately June 2023. The current New Enterprise Allowance project is open to new referrals until at least March 2021. This pool will be in operation for up to four years. It is intended that contracts will start from 9th March 2020. Note that there will be no commitment to a particular number of hours under the contracts, either in total or in any given period.