Tender Specification Template - NEPIC

Tender Specification: Developing International Trade through Sector
Engagement – Knowledge Intensive Business
Services (KIBS)
Tender Reference:
UKTI Sector Engagement – Knowledge Intensive
Business Services (KIBS)
Date: 25 th March 2013
The North East Process Industries Cluster (NEPIC), RTC North, 1 Hylton Park,
Wessington Way, Sunderland, SR5 3HD

Contents
Background 3
Tender Details 3
International Trade through Sector Engagement 3
UKTI Strategic Objectives 4
Tender Requirements 4
Outputs 5
Outputs Reporting 5
Project Team 6
Contract Term 6
Contract Value and Payment Terms 6
Contract Management 6
Quality Assurance 7
Tender Submissions 7
Award Criteria 7
Queries 8
Tender Return 8
Appendix 1 9
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1. Background
Go Global North East Ltd is a joint venture between the North East of England
Process Industry Cluster (NEPIC), the North East Chamber of Commerce
(NECC) and RTC North, and was established to deliver the international trade
services for UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) in North East England.
Lord Green, the Minister of State for Trade and Investment, has set UKTI a
national challenge for to increase the overall volume of international trade by
increasing the number of companies exporting and to increase the depth and
diversity of international activity by companies already engaged in international
trade.
As the new service delivery partner for UKTI, Go Global is looking to establish
wider and deeper engagement with the North East SME community, given that
84% of SMEs are currently unaware of the public sector support programmes
available to support the internationalisation of their business. As part of the
overall strategy, NEPIC is leading on the development of international trade
through sector engagement.
Knowledge Intensive Business Services is one of the priority sectors highlighted
by Go Global as offering the North East the greatest opportunity for success in
international trade.
2. Tender Details
The contracting authority for the purpose of this invitation to tender is Go Global
North East Ltd. For the purpose of this tender this will be managed on behalf of
Go Global North East Ltd by NEPIC.
NEPIC’s office is RTC North, 1 Hylton Park, Wessington Way, Sunderland, SR5
3HD.
This project is part funded by European Regional Development Fund. As such,
the successful organisation must comply with ERDF regulations in terms of
relevant branding, publicity and procurement for all activity undertaken within the
project. This will involve appropriate use of logos and documentation to evidence
related performance deliverables.
2.1. International Trade through Sector Engagement
NEPIC has a proven track record of delivering international trade opportunities
for its members by developing cluster to cluster engagement in Europe, India,
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China and Brazil. These links help to expand trading networks and build
confidence in-market via support from local industry led cluster organisations,
and have resulted in more trade opportunities as well as improved access to
markets.
NEPIC is now working with key cluster managers and other industry leaders to
develop a progressive Sector Engagement Strategy for International Trade within
the North East, of which this tender forms a part.
The intention is to create cluster and sector “International Trade Teams” to
identify best practice, share intelligence and build supply chain connectivity in
order to increase UKTI support for North East based SMEs. These teams will
comprise leaders from local industry and partner organisations; plus
representation for UKTI’s Sector Export Executive and the UKTI International
Trade Advisor Sector lead.
2.2. UKTI Strategic Objectives
2.2.1. To increase the number of North East companies engaged in
international trade
2.2.2. To increase the depth and diversity of international activity by
North East companies already engaged in international trade
2.3. Tender Requirements
The chosen partner(s) will be able to:
2.3.1. Demonstrate an established and comprehensive network of North
East based companies in the Knowledge and Intensive Business
Services (KIBS) sector
2.3.2. Create an industry- led International Trade Team to provide
engagement, supply chain development and sector leadership to
stimulate export activity. This team will:
a) Develop a calendar of industry led International Trade Team
meetings ( minimum two per annum)
b) Develop a Sector Export Plan detailing:
i. Key markets & sector specific clusters with which to engage
ii. Key trade shows for UKTI support
iii. Emerging markets and the opportunities for NE companies
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iv. Highlight how industry leadership will facilitate the
dissemination of new market opportunities across the
network and help new exporters access overseas
opportunities
2.3.3. Demonstrate a process for client facing employees to capture
export leads for the UKTI International Trade Advisors
2.3.4. Identify additional added value that will help UKTI’s overall strategic
objective detailed in 2.2.
2.4. Outputs
The chosen partner(s) will need to deliver, as a minimum:
2.4.1. Export leads for the UKTI International Trade Advisors – tender
should detail anticipated numbers for both new and existing
exporters
2.4.2. Industry led International Trade Team meetings (minimum two per
annum)
2.4.3. A Sector Export Plan
2.4.4. An agreed number of themed events, seminars and workshops
throughout the course of the contract, which should be targeted to
the needs of new and existing exporters
2.4.5. Promotion of UKTI events, market visits, products and services via
the winning organisation’s various promotional platforms, such as
website, newsletters, social media, e-marketing, directories.
2.4.6. Promotion of international trade success stories from within the
network via own platforms and regional media
2.5. Outputs Reporting
2.6.1. Export leads via the referral form appendix 1
2.6.2. Monthly report to project team to aid reporting to UKTI nationally
2.6.3. Minutes of meetings detailing facilitated discussions on sector
specific international trade
2.6.4. Sector Export plan within 6 months of appointment
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2.6.5. Details of international trade themed events, including event
attendee list with contact information (Minimum of name, company,
company address, telephone number and email) where data
protection rules allow.
2.6.6. Evidence of promotional activity relating to 2.4.5
3. Project Team
The NEPIC project team responsible for this work are Paul Butler, NEPIC
Customer Services Manager & UKTI Marketing Manager – Programme Delivery,
Tony Sarginson, Sector Engagement Executive, Marion Schooler, Sector
Engagement Executive and Stan Higgins, NEPIC CEO.
4. Contract Term
The anticipated term for the contract of this project is 12 months from date of
appointment. However dependent upon results there is potential to extend this
for the course of the ERDF project which ends mid 2015 (reviewed annually and
subject to completion of the key deliverables).
5. Contract Value and Payment Terms
The overall contract value will not exceed £10,000 exclusive of VAT and tenders
should quote for the completion of this work in full. We do however reserve the
right to award the contract to more than one organisation with outputs quoted in
your tender submission reduced pro-rata, your tender submission should specify
if you accept these terms.
50% of the agreed contract will be made at the outset of this project, with the
remaining 50% paid upon completion of a 6 month review where a minimum of
25% of the contracted outputs will need to have been met.
Payment to account will be made in accordance with the Go Global North East
Ltd general terms and conditions of contract for services.
6. Contract Management
Standard terms and conditions will apply to the successful tenderer (s); a copy of
which is available upon request. Special terms may come into force as the
contract is negotiated.
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7. Quality Assurance
Tenders should describe organisational procedures for quality assuring their
work, stating whether they hold a recognised quality management certification
such as BS/EN/ISO9000, or have an equivalent quality assurance/management
system in place.
8. Tender Submissions
Tenders should provide details of:
The sector or subsectors your organisation is tendering for
Overall approach to the contract
How the model for delivery will meet the outcomes and demonstrate
added value
Full cost breakdown of their proposal. This should include details of the
numbers and status of staff involved, their time and associated costs.
Tenders will be evaluated against the award criteria as set out at clause 9 and
should also demonstrate within their tender proposal their:
Capability to meet the contract requirements
Quality and experience of the team delivering the contract; including
evidence of a proven track-record
Ability and flexibility to deliver the study to the agreed timescales;
Experience of working within the digital, creative & design sector, which
identifies their ability to deliver these services to a high standard;
Value for money and added value
The successful candidate will be required to show:
Evidence of expertise and prior work in this area
Knowledge of compiling and delivering business plans
Knowledge of sector networks and supply chains
9. Award Criteria
The contract will be awarded to the most economically advantageous tender
evaluated against the following criteria.
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Criteria Weighting %
Price, including added value and value for
money
Established sector specific network &
engagement with North East businesses
Lead generation and promotion of UKTI via
events and various platforms
Ability to establish an industry led international
trade team
20
30
30
20
10. Queries
To ensure a fair and transparent tender process no approach of any kind in
connection with this tender should be made to any other person within, or
associated with, NEPIC. Failure to comply may result in disqualification from the
process.
11. Tender Return
The completed tender and any associated documents should be submitted either
by email to Tony Sarginson tony.sarginson@nepic.co.uk , or send 3 copies by
post to NEPIC at RTC North, 1 Hylton Park, Wessington Way, Sunderland, SR5
3HD, marked for the attention of Tony Sarginson.
Closing date for tenders is close of play on Monday 15 April 2013.
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Appendix 1 – Partner referral form example
Document Ends.
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