e-ITT for the Provision of NFDC's Business Support Programme

Supplier(s) are required to satisfy the Councils selection criteria (Best Price Quality Ratio) and submit compliant bids under this tender exercise in order to be considered for contract award.?See Guide for Tenderers for further information relating to the evaluation process. Scope Overview: New Forest District Council is commissioning a Business Support Programme in response to ongoing economic pressures and the need to strengthen local enterprise, self-employment and entrepreneurial resilience across the district.

Aligned with the Council's Economic Development Strategy and Skills Action Plan, the programme will deliver targeted, practical support to individuals aged 18+ seeking to start, grow or develop viable and sustainable businesses. The programme will adopt a flexible, hybrid model of delivery, combining one-to-one mentoring, workshops, peer learning and specialist advice.

The Council places strong emphasis on high-quality, outcome-focused support, ensuring that engagement leads to demonstrable business progress, increased resilience and long-term viability. A key focus will be supporting local economic vitality, with a minimum of 25% of delivery centred within Totton Town Centre, contributing to high street recovery, improved wellbeing and increased income opportunities.

Sustainability and net-zero principles will be embedded throughout delivery, ensuring supported businesses are equipped to operate responsibly and adapt to future economic and environmental challenges. See Appendix B - Outcome Specification for further details.

By confirming an expression of interest in this contract opportunity, tenderers will automatically receive a link to the tender information including the full specification, contract terms and tenderer response forms. All correspondence is via the Councils e-tendering portal ProContract hosted on the South East Business Portal (SEBP).