Public procurement notice: Contract Notice
Published: 2016-01-07
Buyer: Staffordshire County Council
Country: UK
Region: Staffordshire CC
Contract type: Services
Procedure: Open procedure
CPV classification: 79400000 | 79411100 | 79500000
Estimated value: 360000 GBP
Submission deadline: 2016-02-11
Award criteria: Price, Quality — Experience, Quality — Methodology/Solution Design, Quality — Implementation Plan, Quality — Commercial Sustainability, Quality — Reporting Mechanism and Performance Management
EU fund: ERDF

Technical requirements: Price
Quality — Experience
Quality — Methodology/Solution Design
Quality — Implementation Plan
Quality — Commercial Sustainability
Quality — Reporting Mechanism and Performance Management
PC613 Contract for the Provision of a Business Support Helpline Service (on behalf of the Stoke and Staffordshire Local Enterprise Partnership).
This contract is for the Provision of a Business Support Helpline (on behalf of Stoke and Staffordshire Local Enterprise Partnership) for an initial period of 3 years from 1.4.2016 to 31.3.2019 with the option to extend by three further periods of 12 months to 31.3.2020, 31.3.2021 and 31.3.2022. The value of the contract is GBP 60 000 per annum.
Staffordshire County Council is inviting tenders on behalf of the Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Local Enterprise Partnership, and in conjunction with City of Stoke-on-Trent Council, for the ongoing operation of a business helpline service which is the core of the Stoke on Trent & Staffordshire Growth Hub.
— Any business calling the single point of contact should be able to obtain appropriate help in the minimum number of contacts/referrals.
— The helpline will be manned by Small Firms Enterprise Development Initiative (SFEDI) (or equivalent) qualified business advisors who understand the purpose of Growth Hubs and have the necessary experience and capability to make accurate referrals.
— Businesses should be encouraged to meet with a Growth Hub Advisor to take advantage of the opportunity that a face to face diagnostic provides to fully explore any, and all, opportunities for growth or growth enhancement.
— Where appropriate, businesses should be encouraged to self-help via the most cost-effective channels, such as internet sites www.stokestaffsgrowthhub.co.uk or www.gov.uk
These principles have been reflected in service delivery by seeking to answer questions immediately where possible, and by following up any referrals by contacting the enquirer to ensure that the referral agency has responded.
As well as a dedicated telephone number (0300 111 8002) the service has also been made available to businesses by e-mail (businessenquiries@stokestaffslep.org.uk) and this tender is for the continuation of both channels.

Eligibility requirements: It is mandatory that the helpline will be manned by Small Firms Enterprise Development Initiative (SFEDI) (or equivalent) qualified business advisors, throughout the proposed contract term, including any extension periods. Information and formalities necessary for evaluating if the requirements are met: Any tender may be rejected from a company/organisation who interalia: (a) is bankrupt or is being wound up, where his affairs are being administered by the court, where he has entered into an arrangement with creditors, where he has suspended business activities or is in any analogous situation arising from a similar procedure under national laws and regulations; (b) is the subject of proceedings for a declaration of bankruptcy, for an order for compulsory winding up or administration by the court or of an arrangement with creditors or of any other similar proceedings under national laws and regulations; (c) has been convicted by a judgment which has the force of res judicata in accordance with the legal provisions of the country of any offence concerning his professional conduct; (d) has been guilty of grave professional misconduct proven by any means which the contracting authorities can demonstrate; (e) has not fulfilled obligations relating to the payment of social security contributions in accordance with the legal provisions of the country in which he is established or with those of the country of the contracting authority; (f) has not fulfilled obligations relating to the payment of taxes in accordance with the legal provisions of the country in which he is established or with those of the country of the contracting authority; (g) is guilty of serious misrepresentation in supplying the information required under this Section or has not supplied such information; (h) has been the subject of a conviction for participation in a criminal organisation, as defined in Article 2(1) of Council Joint Action 98/733/JHA; (i) has been the subject of a conviction for corruption, as defined in Article 3 of the Council Act of 26.5.1997 and Article 3(1) of Council Joint Action 98/742/JHA respectively; (j) has been the subject of a conviction for fraud within the meaning of Article 1 of the Convention relating to the protection of the financial interests of the European Communities; (k) has been the subject of a conviction for money laundering, as defined in Article 1 of Council Directive 91/308/EEC of 10.6.1991 on prevention of the use of the financial system for the purpose of money laundering. Please refer to Regulation no 57 of the Public Contract Regulations 2015 for additional rejection criteria (see link) http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2015/102/regulation/57/made The applicant must meet the minimum set standards of economic and financial standing to service the term and value of the contract. Financial checks will be undertaken for economic operators using one or more of the Council's current financial assessors n2check (www.n2check.com), Dunn and Bradstreet (www.dnb.co.uk) Experian (www.experian.co.uk). Economic operators will be assessed according to the level of risk stipulated by the financial assessors used. Your submission. May be rejected if you are given an above average/higher than average risk rating or poorer, by 1 or more of the assessors used note: 1. It is the responsibility of the economic operator to ensure that the appropriate accounts have been filed and that the credit information held is correct. 2. Should economic operators wish other financial information to be taken into account to support the economic and financial check this should be submitted with the response to the ITT. SCC reserves the right to request further financial information and to take this into account where necessary in addition to the level of risk stipulated by the financial assessors. 3. For sole traders/partnerships where 3rd party financial assessments are not available the assessment will be undertaken using a financial spreadsheet detailing trading account data for the last 3 years. The organisation should hold as a minimum the following insurance levels or be able to provide with their response, a written statement advising that should they be awarded the contract they will have the required levels of insurance in place for the commencement of the contract. Public Liability 5 000 000 GBP Employers Liability 5 000 000 GBP Professional Indemnity 2 000 000 GBP Failure to achieve or agree to this may lead to disqualification.
Information and formalities necessary for evaluating if the requirements are met: Any tender may be rejected from a company/organisation who interalia: (a) is bankrupt or is being wound up, where his affairs are being administered by the court, where he has entered into an arrangement with creditors, where he has suspended business activities or is in any analogous situation arising from a similar procedure under national laws and regulations; (b) is the subject of proceedings for a declaration of bankruptcy, for an order for compulsory winding up or administration by the court or of an arrangement with creditors or of any other similar proceedings under national laws and regulations; (c) has been convicted by a judgment which has the force of res judicata in accordance with the legal provisions of the country of any offence concerning his professional conduct; (d) has been guilty of grave professional misconduct proven by any means which the contracting authorities can demonstrate; (e) has not fulfilled obligations relating to the payment of social security contributions in accordance with the legal provisions of the country in which he is established or with those of the country of the contracting authority; (f) has not fulfilled obligations relating to the payment of taxes in accordance with the legal provisions of the country in which he is established or with those of the country of the contracting authority; (g) is guilty of serious misrepresentation in supplying the information required under this Section or has not supplied such information; (h) has been the subject of a conviction for participation in a criminal organisation, as defined in Article 2(1) of Council Joint Action 98/733/JHA; (i) has been the subject of a conviction for corruption, as defined in Article 3 of the Council Act of 26.5.1997 and Article 3(1) of Council Joint Action 98/742/JHA respectively; (j) has been the subject of a conviction for fraud within the meaning of Article 1 of the Convention relating to the protection of the financial interests of the European Communities; (k) has been the subject of a conviction for money laundering, as defined in Article 1 of Council Directive 91/308/EEC of 10.6.1991 on prevention of the use of the financial system for the purpose of money laundering. Please refer to Regulation no 57 of the Public Contract Regulations 2015 for additional rejection criteria (see link) http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2015/102/regulation/57/made The applicant must meet the minimum set standards of economic and financial standing to service the term and value of the contract. Financial checks will be undertaken for economic operators using one or more of the Council's current financial assessors n2check (www.n2check.com), Dunn and Bradstreet (www.dnb.co.uk) Experian (www.experian.co.uk). Economic operators will be assessed according to the level of risk stipulated by the financial assessors used. Your submission. May be rejected if you are given an above average/higher than average risk rating or poorer, by 1 or more of the assessors used note: 1. It is the responsibility of the economic operator to ensure that the appropriate accounts have been filed and that the credit information held is correct. 2. Should economic operators wish other financial information to be taken into account to support the economic and financial check this should be submitted with the response to the ITT. SCC reserves the right to request further financial information and to take this into account where necessary in addition to the level of risk stipulated by the financial assessors. 3. For sole traders/partnerships where 3rd party financial assessments are not available the assessment will be undertaken using a financial spreadsheet detailing trading account data for the last 3 years. The organisation should hold as a minimum the following insurance levels or be able to provide with their response, a written statement advising that should they be awarded the contract they will have the required levels of insurance in place for the commencement of the contract. Public Liability 5 000 000 GBP Employers Liability 5 000 000 GBP Professional Indemnity 2 000 000 GBP Failure to achieve or agree to this may lead to disqualification.
Information and formalities necessary for evaluating if the requirements are met: Any tender may be rejected from a company/organisation who interalia: (a) is bankrupt or is being wound up, where his affairs are being administered by the court, where he has entered into an arrangement with creditors, where he has suspended business activities or is in any analogous situation arising from a similar procedure under national laws and regulations; (b) is the subject of proceedings for a declaration of bankruptcy, for an order for compulsory winding up or administration by the court or of an arrangement with creditors or of any other similar proceedings under national laws and regulations; (c) has been convicted by a judgment which has the force of res judicata in accordance with the legal provisions of the country of any offence concerning his professional conduct; (d) has been guilty of grave professional misconduct proven by any means which the contracting authorities can demonstrate; (e) has not fulfilled obligations relating to the payment of social security contributions in accordance with the legal provisions of the country in which he is established or with those of the country of the contracting authority; (f) has not fulfilled obligations relating to the payment of taxes in accordance with the legal provisions of the country in which he is established or with those of the country of the contracting authority; (g) is guilty of serious misrepresentation in supplying the information required under this Section or has not supplied such information; (h) has been the subject of a conviction for participation in a criminal organisation, as defined in Article 2(1) of Council Joint Action 98/733/JHA; (i) has been the subject of a conviction for corruption, as defined in Article 3 of the Council Act of 26.5.1997 and Article 3(1) of Council Joint Action 98/742/JHA respectively; (j) has been the subject of a conviction for fraud within the meaning of Article 1 of the Convention relating to the protection of the financial interests of the European Communities; (k) has been the subject of a conviction for money laundering, as defined in Article 1 of Council Directive 91/308/EEC of 10.6.1991 on prevention of the use of the financial system for the purpose of money laundering. Please refer to Regulation no 57 of the Public Contract Regulations 2015 for additional rejection criteria (see link) http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2015/102/regulation/57/made The applicant must meet the minimum set standards of economic and financial standing to service the term and value of the contract. Financial checks will be undertaken for economic operators using one or more of the Council's current financial assessors n2check (www.n2check.com), Dunn and Bradstreet (www.dnb.co.uk) Experian (www.experian.co.uk). Economic operators will be assessed according to the level of risk stipulated by the financial assessors used. Your submission. May be rejected if you are given an above average/higher than average risk rating or poorer, by 1 or more of the assessors used note: 1. It is the responsibility of the economic operator to ensure that the appropriate accounts have been filed and that the credit information held is correct. 2. Should economic operators wish other financial information to be taken into account to support the economic and financial check this should be submitted with the response to the ITT. SCC reserves the right to request further financial information and to take this into account where necessary in addition to the level of risk stipulated by the financial assessors. 3. For sole traders/partnerships where 3rd party financial assessments are not available the assessment will be undertaken using a financial spreadsheet detailing trading account data for the last 3 years.
The organisation should hold as a minimum the following insurance levels or be able to provide with their response, a written statement advising that should they be awarded the contract they will have the required levels of insurance in place for the commencement of the contract. Public Liability 5 000 000 GBP Employers Liability 5 000 000 GBP Professional Indemnity 2 000 000 GBP Failure to achieve or agree to this may lead to disqualification.