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Digital Business Growth Programme – Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and

Nottinghamshire

Invitation to Tender

Provision of service to:Develop and deliver an SEO, Google Analytics,

Converting Website Visitors and Online Marketing themed programme of seminars, strategic

workshops and business advice

Date: 10 April 2017

East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire)Commerce HouseMillennium WayDunston RoadChesterfieldDerbyshireS41 8ND

www.ebusinessclub.bizwww.emc-dnl.co.uk0333 320 0333

Table of Contents

1. Introduction – page 3

D2N2 Digital Growth Programme 2016 – 2019 Page | 1

http://www.emc-dnl.co.uk/

http://www.ebusinessclub.biz/

2. Description of Services – page 4

2.1. Awareness-raising seminars2.2. Strategic action-planning workshops2.3. Theme 2: SEO, Google Analytics, Converting Website Visitors and Online Marketing

description2.4. Courseware Requirements

3. Tender requirements – page 5

4. Terms of service – page 6

5. Period of Contract – page 6

6. Price – page 7

7. Tender Evaluation - 7

7.1. Tender Process – Stage 17.2. Submitting Stage 1 Proposals 7.3. Tender Process – Stage 27.4. Presentation and evaluation scoring 7.5. Selection of providers

8. Tender Questions – page 9

9. Tenders Excluded – page 9

10. Freedom of Information - page 10

11. Timeline for Submission – page 11

Annex A – Proposal and Standard Details Questionnaire Template – page 12 - 16


1. INTRODUCTION

The £7.2m D2N2 Digital Growth Programme (DGP) will deliver a bespoke and structured programme of support to encourage at least 2,380 new and established businesses, with real growth aspirations to explore and introduce new and emerging digital technology based business models to drive performance.

The project is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the following delivery partners:

Creative Quarter Company Derby City Council Derbyshire County Council East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire) Nottingham City Council Nottinghamshire County Council Rushcliffe Borough Council

It will be delivered across the whole D2N2 area including based in Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire and will run until 30 June 2019.

The Programme aims to intensively assist 852 SMEs and new start businesses through the delivery of:

At least 75 two-hour awareness-raising seminars, hackathons and demonstrators 33 business advice panel meetings 393 one-to-one surgeries An annual Digital Conference 340 full-day strategic action-planning workshops covering the following themes:

1. Website Planning and Developing Content for the Web2. Online Marketing3. Social Media and Blogging4. Ecommerce5. Paid Digital Advertising6. Email Marketing, CRM and Big Data7. Video development8. International Ecommerce9. Cloud Computing and Cyber Security10. Mobile marketing and mobile working

Dedicated digital business advice linked to a c£1.8m technology grant fund (matched at 60% by SMEs)

Dedicated workforce development skills advice and support brokered to local training provision

This project will build on the success of the Transformational ICT project delivered through East Midlands Chamber’s eBusiness Club team which supported 1,300 local businesses and led to the creation of more than 150 new jobs and generated £54,000,000 of economic benefits over its two-year lifespan.


2. DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES

2.1 Awareness-raising seminars

The two-hour seminars aim to introduce new and developing technologies to an audience of between 20 to 60 business delegates in a cabaret style setting by means of multi-media presentation.

Delegates will leave the seminar with a clear understanding of the subject matter to reach an informed decision with regards to the introduction or further development of this new technology within their organisation.

Presentations may be streamed live to reach and engage a new audience. All delegates will be provided with an electronic copy of the presentation materials.

2.2 Strategic action-planning workshops

The full-day workshops aim to equip business delegates with the knowledge and skills required to plan and implement selected digital technologies and for the transfer of knowledge and skills to key personnel within the business.

Workshops will attract eight to fifteen delegates and delivered in a boardroom style setting using a multi-media presentation of case studies demonstrating examples of best practice to facilitate the development of an action-plan by the delegate relevant to their organisation. Delegates are provided with lunch, and refreshments throughout the day and will receive Theme 1 workshop courseware which consists of slides, associated slide narrative and an ‘action plan’ template. Throughout the delivery of the workshop the format must allow for the recording of the action plan relevant to the subject matter.

2.3 Theme 2: SEO, Google Analytics, Converting Website Visitors and Online Marketing

Theme 2 will consist of at least four full-day workshops and Consultants, where necessary, may make use of the existing courseware established through the Transformational ICT programme:

1. SEO (Search Engine Optimisation)2. Google Analytics3. Converting Website Visitors4. Online Marketing for Local Business

Delegates who attend the course will emerge with key knowledge and skills to understand search engine optimisation, how to make the most of the stats provided by Google Analytics, and how to best to respond to them for better online conversion rates.

The workshops are delivered as four separate days and should therefore not be interdependent on each other, due to the differing requirements of delegates.

Day 1 - Search Engine OptimisationA session devoted to understanding how search engines work, how to ensure a website is properly crawled, the key to effective keywords, competitor research, optimising pages for SEO, the impact of backlinks and monitoring visibility.

Day 2 - Google Analytics


Setting up Google Analytics, how to access data that really matters, breaking down data and understanding what it really means and understanding how visitors are interact with your website.

Day 3 - Converting Website VisitorsThe psychology of conversions, persuading visitors to convert through a website and the principles of testing to optimise conversion rates.

Day 4 - Online Marketing for Local BusinessThis should cover the importance of mobile-friendly websites (and what these look like), optimising for local search through Google+ Local (Places/Maps) and Bing Local. Location-based pay per click advertising, how social media can help local businesses, understanding coupon sites and the importance of email marketing.

2.4 Courseware Materials

The Theme 2 consultant is responsible for the development of:

An A4 awareness-raising seminar outline. A PowerPoint or Prezi presentation of 90-minute duration. This will include slide narrative

of sufficient quality to accurately explain the slide being shown. A4 action-planning workshop outline Workshop lesson-plans – these will be used as an aid for the workshop to be delivered by

other Trainers to cover absence and to ensure any relevant content can be incorporated into complementary workshop themes.

Workshop PowerPoint presentation with sufficient material to cover six-hours and leading to the development of an action-plan by the delegate.

Courseware slide narrative of sufficient quality to accurately explain the slide being shown. The slide narrative will be used to form a printed workbook.

A pre/post workshop ‘SME Diagnostic’ used by delegates to record their current knowledge and usage of the subject matter prior to attending and completing the workshop/s.

An A4 ‘Action-Plan template’ to be completed by the delegate during the workshop.

3 TENDER REQUIREMENTS

3.1 Details of tender

East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire) is responsible for managing the awareness raising events, full-day strategic workshops, annual Conference and one-to-one adviser services.

3.2 This tender seeks to recruit a dedicated Consultant with the skills, knowledge and experience to lead the development and delivery of Theme 2: SEO, Google Analytics, Converting Website Visitors and Online Marketing from June 2017 to 30 June 2019

The maximum value of the Theme 2 contract for D2N2 is £59,040 and the successful Consultant will be paid on an agreed daily rate basis, by the Chamber to:

Attend project planning meetings held in Chesterfield Develop Theme 2 two-hour seminar content as required Develop Theme 2 full-day action-planning workshop courseware as required Update Theme 2 seminar and workshop courseware as required to meet the fast pace

of change within the digital technologies Deliver at least five two-hour seminars across the D2N2 area Deliver at least 63 full-day action planning workshops across the D2N2 area


Deliver one-to-one business advice, as required, across the D2N2 area

The schedule of Consultant activities, will be agreed in advance, on a three-month work plan basis with the Consultant and Jon Egley, Digital Growth Programme Manager.

Prospective suppliers should note that the Chamber is also seeking to recruit a dedicated Consultant to lead Theme 2 activities in Leicester and Leicestershire – this contract will be managed separately.

3.2 Theme 2: Workshop delivery plan June to September 2017

To meet existing demand for the programme, the June 2017 to September 2017, Phase 1 workshop delivery is scheduled and bookings are being taking for the following workshops:

12 July 2017 Converting Website Visitors Nottingham City18 July 2017 SEO Derby City26 July 2017 Converting Website Visitors Derby City02 August 2017 Online Marketing Rushcliffe 22 August 2017 SEO Newark and Sherwood30 August 2017 Online Marketing Ashfield31 August 2017 Google Analytics Derby City12 September 2017 Google Analytics Nottingham City14 September 2017 Online Marketing Derbyshire Dales21 September 2017 Converting Website Visitors Amber Valley26 September 2017 Online Marketing Newark and Sherwood

Prospective bidders are asked to confirm the availability of the Consultant on the above dates.

4. TERMS OF SERVICE The Chamber is inviting applications from named individuals within an organisation. Additional individuals from the same organisation may apply to deliver this contract however, a separate proposal with associated documentation must be submitted. All proposals will be scored independently against the scoring criteria relating to the individual consultants’ skills and experience to deliver the relevant theme. If a supplier wishes to use subcontractors, to deliver part of the contract separate documentation relating to the Consultant must be presented and will be scored independently against the scoring criteria. The Chamber will expect the lead supplier to be legally responsible for the performance of the contract and to manage its supply chain to meet the requirements of the contract.

5. PERIOD OF CONTRACT

This contract will run from 20 June 2017 to 30 June 2019.

The Chamber may secure additional funding to extend the delivery of the service and new activities will be tendered independently.

If the demand for the delivery of Theme 1 is significantly high the Chamber reserve the right to recruit additional Consultants throughout the lifetime of the contract period.

6. PRICE


The Chamber is keen to ensure best value for money and the price per day represents 20% of the total tender score. Consultants will be paid the same rate for development of materials, delivery of seminars and workshops, delivery of one-to-one business advice.

The maximum value of this contract is £59,040 + VAT and the day rate will be no more than £600 per day + VAT, inclusive of all travel costs across the D2N2 area. Section 7 provides an overview of the daily rate scale.

Organisations may submit proposals to deliver additional Digital Growth Programme themes for delivery across Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire however, the maximum value awarded to a single organisation will not exceed £200,000 + VAT.

7. TENDER EVALUATION

7.1 Evaluation process

The tender evaluation process is in two stages:

Stage 1: Proposal and Price (50 points)Stage 2: Presentation (50 points)

Tender responses will be scored by a panel consisting of three Chamber representatives based on the following scoring principles:

4. Scoring PrinciplesRequired DataRequired Data

All questions must be answered unless there is an acceptable reason for its omission. The data will be scored as pass or fail

5. Pass / FailPass The information has been assessed and judged to be acceptableFail • No information evidence has been provided

• The standard of the information is unacceptable or does not comply with the minimum acceptable standard

Scored (0 / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5)0 Unacceptabl

e The information is either omitted or fundamentally unacceptable

to the Chamber.1 Poor • The information submitted has some omissions or demonstrates

only limited technical, ability and/or capacity.2 Satisfactory • The information submitted just meets the Chamber’s

expectations in demonstrating technical experience, ability and/or capacity to deliver the services. There are significant reservations, but not sufficient to warrant rejection.

3 Good • The information submitted meets the Chamber’s expectations in demonstrating technical experience, ability and/or capacity to deliver the services.

4 High Standard

• The information submitted meets the Chamber’s expectations and provides strong evidence of technical experience, ability and/or capacity to deliver a quality service.

5 Excellent • The information submitted exceeds the Chamber’s expectations and provides evidence of high quality technical experience, ability and/or capacity to deliver a quality service.

The highest scoring three proposals will be invited to stage two presentation.


7.2 Tender process – stage 1 (50 points)

To apply for the tender, you must:

Complete the ‘Standard Details Questionnaire’ and ‘Proposal’ at Annex A Provide a copy of the nominated individuals CV Provide an example A4 workshop outline Provide an example 15-minute themed PowerPoint presentation with slide

narrative of sufficient quality to accurately explain the slides being used Upload the above information to the tender portal by the agreed closing date

To qualify to Stage 2 proposals must:

Satisfy the required data in the Standard Details Questionnaire Score at least 22 points Be one of the three highest scoring bids

The Chamber is seeking evidence of the Consultants’ suitability to deliver the requirement of the content and the courseware materials will be scored as follows:

Do the presentation slides utilise an appropriate font and paragraph style to be viewed easily within a workshop environment?

Do the presentation note pages contain narrative of sufficient quality to accurately explain the slides being shown?

Has the master PowerPoint template been employed correctly ie . have slides been created utilising style sheets to create pages with bulleted lists, images, video etc.?

Does the workshop outline represent a framework for presenting to a potential delegate why they should attend and what will be gained by doing so?

Price (4-20 maximum points)

The same consultancy day rate will be paid for all activities throughout the lifetime of the contract and the day rate will range from £400-£600 per day. Tender price scores are based on the following: £400 per-day – 20 points£450 per-day – 16 points£500 per-day – 12 points£550 per-day – 8 points£600 per-day – 4 points

7.3 Submitting Stage 1 proposals

Completed Proposals including all the documentation should be uploaded to www.ebusinessclub.biz by the noon on 31 May 2017.

Please ensure that all the required documentation is completed and any supporting documentation is uploaded. Hard copy proposals are not required.

Potential providers should note that if a bid is fundamentally unacceptable on a key issue, regardless of its other merits, the bid will be rejected.

Tenders submitted after the stipulated time and date will be rejected.


http://www.ebusinessclub.biz/

7.4 Tender Process – Stage 2 (50 points)

The highest scoring three proposals will be invited to the stage two process which will take place at the Chamber’s offices in Chesterfield. Stage two will involve: Delivery of the 15-minute Theme 2 presentation submitted at stage one Answer three questions relevant to the SEO, Google Analytics, Converting Website

Visitors and Online Marketing theme designed to test the applicant’s subject knowledge

7.5 Presentation and Interview Evaluation Scoring Process

The following scoring method will be applied based upon the following criteria: Presentation (maximum 20 points)

1. Was the presentation delivered with confidence, passion and poise? 2. Was the presentation delivered at an appropriate level for the target audience

(business start-ups, though to small and medium sized enterprises) to understand? 3. Was the presentation completed within the 15 minute time allocation? 4. Did the presenter ‘connect’ with the audience?

Did the presenter provide a satisfactory answer to question 1? (weighting 2 points) Did the presenter provide a satisfactory answer to question 2? (weighting 2 points) Did the presenter provide a satisfactory answer to question 3? (weighting 2 points)

7.6 Selection of Provider

The highest scoring tender will be selected based on the combined scores at stage 1 and 2.

Successful and non-successful providers will be notified in accordance with the timetable for submission.

8. TENDER QUESTIONS

If you require further information about the requirements of the contract or the tendering procedures, please use the open question and answer facility on the tender website which is viewable by all applicants. No questions will be answered that provide a competitive advantage to any party tendering.

Should questions arise during the tendering period which are significant we will inform all providers to explain the nature of the question, and our formal reply. All providers should then take that reply into consideration when preparing their own proposals, and we will evaluate proposals on the assumption that they have done so.

Please do not contact the Chamber staff directly.

9. TENDERS EXCLUDED

It must be recognised that the Chamber reserves the right to withdraw this tender document and all funding contained within it without notice.

No tender will be considered for acceptance if the potential provider has indulged or attempted to indulge in any corrupt practice or canvassed the tender with a member of staff employed by the Chamber

If the successful provider has indulged or attempted to indulge in such practices and the tender is accepted, then grounds shall exist for the termination of the contract and the claiming of damages from the successful provider

It is unlikely that any tender will be accepted which (a) is incomplete or inaccurately or inadequately completed or which purports to impose conditions other than those


provided in the contract documents and (b) is delivered out of time or in a manner other than specified in the specification

In submitting a tender against this contract, the potential provider confirms that he has not fixed or adjusted the amount of the tender by or under or in accordance with any agreement or arrangement with any other person.

The potential provider also certifies that at no time, before or following the submission of the tender, has the tenderer carried out any of the following acts:

Entering into any agreement or arrangement with any person that he shall refrain from tendering or as to the amount of any tender to be submitted;

Offering or paying or giving or agreeing to give any sum of money or valuable consideration directly or indirectly to any person for doing or having done or causing or having caused to be done in relation to any other tender or proposed tender for the said work any act or thing of the sort described above. The context of this clause the word ’person’ includes any persons and anybody or association, corporate or unincorporated, and ‘any agreement’ includes any such transaction, formal or informal, and whether legally binding or not.

10. FREEDOM OF INFORMATION

Information in relation to this tender may be made available on demand in accordance with requirements of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

Potential providers should state if any of the information supplied by them is confidential or commercially sensitive or should not be disclosed in response to a request for information under the Act. Potential providers should state why they consider the information to be confidential or commercially sensitive. This will not guarantee that the information will not be disclosed, but will be examined in the light of the exemptions provided in the Act.

It is important to note that information may be commercially sensitive for a time (eg during a tender process) but afterwards it may not be. The timing of any request for information may be extremely important in determining whether information is exempt, However, providers should note that no information is like to be regarded as exempt forever.

11. TIMELINE FOR SUBMISSION

Tender Opened 10 April 2017Tender return deadline: Noon on 31 May 2017Stage 1 evaluation feedback: 1 June 2017Stage 2 Presentations: 8 June 2017Stage 2 evaluation feedback: 9 June 2017Stand still period: 22 June 2017Indicative contract signing date: 23 June 2017

END


http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2000/36/contents

ANNEX A - PROPOSAL AND STANDARD DETAILS QUESTIONNAIRE:

Please complete the following proposal and standard details questionnaire which will be scored. If the question does not apply, please write N/A; if you don’t know the answer please write N/K. Completing and returning this documentation does not guarantee any work.

SECTION 1: PROPOSAL

1. EXPERIENCE AND TRACK RECORD


Please describe the Consultants experience and track record in delivering exact or very similar services to those for which the proposal is being made. You may wish to highlight any past or current contracts and/or provide further details of the references provided at Section 3.

(Weighting 4 points with a max score of 20 points)

Response (max 400 words):

Please provide a copy of the Consultants current CV as supporting evidence. This should include his/her existing and past roles or contract delivery.

2. VALUE ADDED

Please detail your understanding of the potential scope of the Digital Growth Programme and how your services can add real value.

(Weighting 2 points with a max score of 10 points)


3. WHAT MAKES YOU A PRACTITIONER?

Please describe the methods you use to keep up-to-date with the subject matter (weighting 2 points with a maximum score of 10 points)


4. PRICE PER DAY

Please state your daily rate (excluding VAT). This rate will be paid for all activities delivered throughout the lifetime of the programme. The maximum rate is £600 + VAT per day inclusive of all travel costs.

Your score will be based on the following rates: £400 per day – 20 points£450 per day – 16 points£500 per day – 12 points£550 per day – 8 points£600 per day – 4 points

Response: £

Are you registered for VAT Yes/No (this answer will not be scored)

Please confirm that you are available to deliver the workshop dates stated on page 6. Y/N

If you are not able to deliver please explain why – (this answer will not be scored)


STANDARD DETAILS QUESTIONNAIRE

Section 1 BASIC DETAILS OF YOUR ORGANISATION1.1 Name of the organisation: 1.2 Contact name: 1.3 Job Title: 1.4 Name of Consultant if different from above:1.5 Company address and post code:

1.6 Telephone number: 1.7 Email address: 1.8 Social media references:1.9 Website address: 1.10 Company Registration number (if applicable): 1.10 Charities or Housing Association or other

Registration number (if applicable):

1.11 Date of Incorporation or Registration: 1.12 Registered address if different from the above1.13 VAT Registration number: 1.14 Is your

organisation: i) A public limited company? Yes / Noii) A limited company? Yes / Noiii) a partnership Yes / Noiv) a sole trader Yes / Nov) other (please specify) Yes / No

1.15 Name of (ultimate) parent company (if this applies):

1.16 Companies House Registration number of parent company (if applicable):

1.17 How many staff does your organisation employ? (If you are a sole trader, please say so)

Section 2 FINANCIAL INFORMATION2.1 Please provide details of your turnover and net profit for the last two financial

years:

Year: Year:

Turnover:Turnover:

Net profit:Net profit:

2.2 Can you provide copies of your audited annual accounts for the last two years Yes/No

2.3 Has your organisation met the terms of its banking facilities/loan agreements (if any) Yes/No

2.4 If ‘No’ what were the reasons, and what has been done to put things right?

2.5 Has your organisation met all its obligations to pay its creditors and staff during the past year?

Yes/No

2.6 If ‘No’ please explain why not.

Section 3 REFERENCESPlease provide details of two recent contracts that are relevant to this tender

Reference 1 Reference 2


3.1 Name of customer:

3.2 Contact name and phone number:

3.3 Contract dates: 3.4 Contract value: 3.5 Brief details about

the service you provided:

3.6 Brief details about targets achieved:

3.7 Have you had any contracts terminated for poor performance in the last three years, or any contracts where damages have been claimed by the contractor?

Yes / No

3.8 If ‘Yes’, please give details: Section 4 INSURANCE Please provide details of your current insurance cover: Value 5.1 Employer’s Liability: £ 5.2 Public Liability: £ 5.3 Professional Indemnity: £ 5.4 Other (please provide details): £ Section 5 POLICIES5.1 Does your organisation have a written health and

safety at work policy? Yes / No

5.2 Does your organisation have a health and safety at work system*?

Yes / No

5.3 Does your organisation have a written equal opportunities policy covering Race, Sexual Orientation, Religion and Belief, Disability and Age, to avoid discrimination?

Yes / No

5.4 If ‘No’, to either of the above please explain why:


5.5 Does your organisation hold a recognised quality

management certification for example BS/EN/ISO 9000 or equivalent?

Yes / No

5.6 If not, do you/your organisation have a quality management system?

Yes / No

5.7 Does your organisation have an environmental management system?

Yes/No

5.8 If ‘No’, to the above quality systems please explain why: Section 6 PROFESSIONAL AND BUSINESS STANDING Do any of the following apply to you/your organisation, or to any director(s) / partners / proprietor(s)? 6.1 Is in a state of bankruptcy, insolvency,

compulsory winding up, receivership, composition with creditors, or subject to relevant proceedings

Yes / No

6.2 Has been convicted of a criminal offence related to business or professional conduct

Yes / No

6.3 Has committed an act of grave misconduct, in the course, of business

Yes / No

6.4 Has not fulfilled obligations related to payment of social security contributions

Yes / No

6.5 Has not fulfilled obligations related to payment of taxes

Yes / No

6.6 Is guilty of serious misrepresentation in supplying information

Yes / No

6.7 Is not in possession of relevant licences or membership of an appropriate organisation where required by law

Yes / No

6.8 If the answer to any of these is ‘Yes’ please give brief details below, including what has been done to put things right.

Section 7 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST7.1 Please identify if any of your staff personnel has been employed by the Chamber

and/or related to any member of staff employed by the Chamber? If so, please provide further details?

Section 8 SIGNED DECLARATIONI declare that to the best of my knowledge the answers submitted in this document (and any supporting information) are correct. I understand that the information will be used in the evaluation process to assess my suitability to provide the services described. (Electronic signatures or typed names are acceptable. In the event that your organisation is successful you will be required to resign this form with an original signature ) FORM COMPLETED BY:8.1 Name: 8.2 Position: 8.3 Date: 8.4 Tel number: 8.5 Signature:

END


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