Procurement

The Solent LEP commissions all work through its accountable body, Portsmouth City Council. As a result, bidders are asked to submit responses in relation to all tender/quote opportunities via the Portsmouth City Council electronic tendering system: InTend.

Further instructions in relation to tender responses can be found here. Organisations can register on InTend at any time in order to receive notifications of future bidding opportunities.

Solent Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) is seeking suitably qualified, experienced and resourced consultancy support to provide independent expert due diligence on applications to the Solent LEP for capital investment.

The required due diligence services are set out in two broad areas:

• Due diligence of Outline and Full Business Cases against guidance set out in HMT Green Book guidance demonstrating a case for capital investment and value for money for larger scale projects, as well as compliance with Fund guidance published by the LEP.  Projects will typically be seeking funding support above £500,000; and
• Due diligence on business support capital funding applications for start-ups and existing businesses (generally for projects that a more complex and/or seeking LEP funding of more than £100,000).

The LEP is seeking support from two consultancy firms with one identified as the primary supplier, and a reserve supplier to provide services should any conflict of interest materialise that precludes due diligence by the primary supplier.

Proposers will need to demonstrate that they have the experience, personnel and capacity to provide expertise across a range of project funding applications, including:

• capital investment mechanisms (grant, loan, equity); and
• infrastructure project types including skills, innovation, connectivity (transport and digital), environmental, energy, and other enabling infrastructure projects; and
• business support investments (grant, loan, equity) aimed at supporting business growth.

This expertise will need to provide independent advice and recommendations to the LEP Board, or its designated sub-panel, in the form of clear and concise reports that are agreed with the LEP, and cover:

• Compliance with relevant fund guidance;
• Compliance with HMT Green Book guidance (where appropriate);
• Compliance with Office of Government Commerce (OGC) Gateway Review;
• Prioritisation of projects seeing funding.
• Consideration of State Aid opinion provide by applicants;
• Advice on the financial proposition of the proposal.

In addition, proposers will need to provide support to the LEP when promoting funding calls, including through advice in relation to completing applications.  This could include attendance at a fund launch workshop.

There will be a requirement to attend occasional LEP Board meetings or meetings of its designated sub-panel to present due diligence findings.

Proposers will be expected to work collaboratively with both the LEP and project applicants.  In this regard proposers will be expected to set out how they will satisfy any areas of clarification following submission of an application.

The contract will run until end of March 2021, with potential for extension.

For further information and to express an interest please view here