Published date: 2 September 2021

Awarded contract - This means that the contract has been awarded to a supplier.


Closing: 19 April 2021, 1pm

Contract summary

Industry

  • Business and management consultancy and related services - 79400000

Location of contract

South East

Value of contract

£1,500,000

Procurement reference

KENT001-DN525434-64965275

Published date

2 September 2021

Closing date

19 April 2021

Closing time

1pm

Contract start date

8 August 2021

Contract end date

30 April 2023

Contract type

Service contract

Procedure type

Negotiated procedure

Contract is suitable for SMEs?

Yes

Contract is suitable for VCSEs?

Yes


Description

Kent's Interim Strategic Plan, "Setting the Course", places a strong emphasis on the importance of attracting investment, and we encourage locally based agencies to work closely with government agencies to bring new investment into the area. We are looking to consolidate and increase our promotion of Kent and Medway as a UK inward investment gateway, alongside secured commitment from Government and the Department for International Trade (DIT) to match local support for inward investment where it is focused around sectors in which Kent and Medway have particular strengths.
Kent County Council is seeking a supplier that can be the inward investment agency for Kent and Medway. The successful supplier must demonstrate an excellent understanding of the key issue's companies face when looking to relocate, an understanding of the industrial and commercial property market in Kent and Medway, how to identify and develop leads, how to support companies during the relocation process, and how to support companies following their relocation. The successful supplier should be able to demonstrate competence in the delivery of inward investment services. The core of the contract will be to provide support to SMEs, in accordance with the requirements of the ESIF Programme, but the successful candidate will also be required to support non-SMEs. This part of the contract will not be funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
The successful supplier will be expected to deliver, alongside Kent County Council and Medway Council, specific outcomes that contribute to economic development in Kent and Medway and will work closely with stakeholders in the county and internationally, including DIT and the South East Local Enterprise Partnership. Prospective bidders are required to specify how they will perform this role, and to demonstrate competence in such delivery.
The successful supplier will develop innovative and creative solutions to secure inward investment in Kent and Medway. The key features of the service are; Securing external investment into Kent and Medway that creates new jobs; Promoting Kent and Medway to overseas markets; Maintaining close contact with investing businesses through an after-care programme.
Prospective bidders are required to specify how they will deliver these.
The successful supplier will also demonstrate how it will deliver and contribute to the following economic outcomes for Kent and Medway: More investment opportunities from overseas markets; Increased supply chain benefits for local businesses; More inward investment in Kent and Medway; Raised profile as a destination for inward and foreign direct investment.
All Expressions of Interest must be registered via the Kent Business Portal and all interested candidates must submit a Selection Questionnaire via the Kent Business Portal by midday on the 19th April 2021.


More information

Previous notice about this procurement

SC20066 - Inward Investment

  • Opportunity
  • Published 19 March 2021


Award information

Awarded date

23 July 2021

Contract start date

2 August 2021

Contract end date

30 April 2023

Total value of contract

£1,666,667

This contract was awarded to 1 supplier.

Locate in Kent

Address

TN23 1HU

Reference

None

Supplier is SME?

Yes

Supplier is VCSE?

No


About the buyer

Contact name

Laura Garay

Address

Sessions House
Maidstone
ME14 1XQ
United Kingdom

Telephone

+44 3000416282

Email

Laura.Garay@kent.gov.uk

Website

http://www.kent.gov.uk