Human Networking Service

HIE requires a suitably qualified and experienced supplier who will provide a high quality human networking service for the Highlands & Islands. This is intended to accelerate innovation, entrepreneurship and knowledge exchange whilst offering best value in the expenditure of public funds.

Peer-to-peer entrepreneurial networking will be a key component. Equally important is the linkages and engagement with the knowledge and science base, business intermediaries and other key stakeholders regionally, nationally and internationally

HIE is responsible for economic and community development across a diverse geographical area which covers more than half of Scotland and is home to around 440,000 people.

Objectives of the contract

The objectives of the contract are to provide the following services in the HIE area:

  • Support to enable business growth
  • Stimulation of innovation and entrepreneurship 
  • Facilitation of knowledge exchange 
  • Networking and knowledge exchange methodology development
  • Entrepreneurial eco-system cultural capacity building

The contract is being tendered using the two-stage restricted OJEU process. Indicative timescale and estimated dates for tendering process are shown below:

  • Publish Contract Notice 16/05/08 
  • Latest date to request information 16/06/08 
  • PQQ Deadline 23/06/08 1200 hrs 
  • ITT 03/07/08
  • ITT Briefing (if required) 08/07/08 
  • Latest date to request clarification 06/08/08 
  • Tender Deadline 12/08/08 1200 hrs
  • Presentations (if required) 28/08/08 
  • Award Contract 31/10/08

Indicative timescale and dates for tendering process

The contract is being tendered using the two-stage restricted OJEU process.

Following the first pre-qualification stage, 4 candidates have been invited to tender. In alphabetical order they are:

  • Fusion
  • Strategem Ltd
  • Targeting Innovation
  • Upper Quartile

The tender deadline is noon on 12/08/08 and it is anticipated that a contract will be awarded on 31/10/08.

Criteria and weighting

  • Quality
  • Competence to deliver the proposed contract - 30% 
  • Track record of similar projects and clients - 10% 
  • Proposed team and individuals - 20%
  • Challenges of working in the Highlands and Islands - 20%
  • Price - 20%