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AwardedFind a Tender · award

Ambitious Essex Enhanced Growth Hub

Buyer: Essex County Council →

View official notice ↗Official source

BuyerEssex County Council
StatusAwarded
Deadline2 Feb 2026
Value£1,140,000
Published5 Mar 2026

What is being bought

Essex County Council (ECC) have awarded the Ambitious Essex Enhanced Growth Hub, due to begin service April 2026. The service, working closely with the Government funded Growth Hub, will help provide the front door for businesses seeking advice and support in the County, enabling them to have the knowledge necessary to achieve growth and prosperity as well as access to business finance. This approach reflects ECC's commitment to delivering a more coherent and impactful business support ecosystem, better positioned to meet the needs of Essex's large and diverse SME base and to drive inclusive economic growth across key sectors.

Lot details

Lot 1

No lot description published.

Statuscomplete

Comparable-procurement analytics

No usable CPV category has been published, so a comparable market set cannot yet be built.

Procurement strategy & market signals

Framework agreementNot published
Dynamic purchasing systemNot published
Competitive procurementNot published
Recurring requirementNot published
Procurement method rationaleNot published
Rationale classificationsNot published
Special regimeNot published
Covered byNot published
Submission policyNot published
Selection criteriaNot published
Risk detailsNot published

Planning & early market engagement

BudgetNot published
No-engagement rationaleNot published
Planning documents0
Planning milestones0

No planning milestones published.

Related procurements

No linked framework, prior procurement or reprocurement published.

Awards

Contracts

1

Statusactive
Value£1,140,000

Documents & submission route

  • Not published

Source data inventory

Diagnostic view. “Not published” means this current release does not provide a value.

OCIDocds-h6vhtk-0588ec
Latest release ID020011-2026
Latest release timestampThu Mar 05 2026 15:08:33 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)
Sourcefind-a-tender
Official notice URLhttps://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/001232-2026
Tender statuscomplete
Procurement methodopen
Procurement method detailsOpen procedure
Main procurement categoryNot published
Above thresholdNot published
Legal basis2023/54
Tender period: startNot published
Tender period: endNot published
Expression of interest deadlineNot published
Enquiry deadlineNot published
Award period: startNot published
Award period: endNot published
Submission method detailsNot published
Submission languagesNot published
Electronic catalogue policyNot published
Total tender valueNot published
Tender lots in source1
Tender items in source0
Tender documents in source1
Awards in latest release1
Contracts in latest release1
Parties in latest release2

Notice history

DateEventReference
5 Mar 2026award, contract020011-2026
17 Feb 2026award, contract014538-2026
7 Jan 2026tender001232-2026
15 Aug 2025planning049136-2025

All source data

Unmodified official OCDS data retained by Tenderline for this procurement process.

Complete current OCDS release JSON
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Complete JSON history (4 releases)
5 Mar 2026 · 020011-2026 · award, contract
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17 Feb 2026 · 014538-2026 · award, contract
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7 Jan 2026 · 001232-2026 · tender
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    },
    "procurementMethod": "open",
    "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
    "submissionMethodDetails": "The bids to be submitted electronically to Procontract : https://procontract.due-north.com/RFx/RFxSummary?rfxId=9a6ab472-e1eb-f011-813c-005056b64545&projectId=37aeda8c-4d78-f011-813a-005056b64545",
    "procurementMethodDetails": "Open procedure"
  },
  "parties": [
    {
      "id": "GB-PPON-PWVM-4844-NRQH",
      "name": "Essex County Council",
      "roles": [
        "buyer"
      ],
      "address": {
        "region": "UKH36",
        "country": "GB",
        "locality": "Chelmsford",
        "postalCode": "CM1 1QH",
        "countryName": "United Kingdom",
        "streetAddress": "County Hall, Market Road"
      },
      "details": {
        "classifications": [
          {
            "id": "publicAuthoritySubCentralGovernment",
            "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE",
            "description": "Public authority - sub-central government"
          }
        ]
      },
      "identifier": {
        "id": "PWVM-4844-NRQH",
        "scheme": "GB-PPON"
      },
      "contactPoint": {
        "email": "Abbey.Wellington@essex.gov.uk"
      }
    }
  ],
  "language": "en",
  "initiationType": "tender"
}
15 Aug 2025 · 049136-2025 · planning
{
  "id": "049136-2025",
  "tag": [
    "planning"
  ],
  "date": "2025-08-15T13:27:20+01:00",
  "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-0588ec",
  "buyer": {
    "id": "GB-PPON-PWVM-4844-NRQH",
    "name": "Essex County Council"
  },
  "tender": {
    "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-0588ec",
    "lots": [
      {
        "id": "1",
        "status": "planning",
        "hasRenewal": true,
        "suitability": {
          "sme": true
        },
        "contractPeriod": {
          "endDate": "2027-03-31T23:59:59+01:00",
          "startDate": "2026-04-01T00:00:00+01:00",
          "maxExtentDate": "2029-03-31T23:59:59+01:00"
        }
      }
    ],
    "items": [
      {
        "id": "1",
        "relatedLot": "1",
        "deliveryAddresses": [
          {
            "region": "UKH3",
            "country": "GB",
            "countryName": "United Kingdom"
          }
        ],
        "additionalClassifications": [
          {
            "id": "66000000",
            "scheme": "CPV",
            "description": "Financial and insurance services"
          },
          {
            "id": "79000000",
            "scheme": "CPV",
            "description": "Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security"
          }
        ]
      }
    ],
    "title": "Business Support Services",
    "value": {
      "amount": 1500000,
      "currency": "GBP",
      "amountGross": 1800000
    },
    "status": "planning",
    "legalBasis": {
      "id": "2023/54",
      "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents",
      "scheme": "UKPGA"
    },
    "description": "Essex County Council (ECC) currently has a business support contract in place that is due to expire in March 2026, alongside our nationally funded Growth Hub contract. ECC is seeking input from potential bidders to help shape a suitable contract and procurement process.\nThe current contract is split into three main areas:\n1) General Business Support\n2) Business Financial Advice and Support\n3) Skills Consultancy and Brokerage Service  \nAs part of that the current contract, the scope of the services include:\n- Delivering a clear programme of business support to ensure the safeguarding of businesses and jobs impacted by the challenging economic climate\n- Providing high-quality provision that enables business and jobs growth to increase the prosperity and productivity of Essex\n- Supporting Essex businesses to be innovative and sustainable\n- Providing the best possible support to mitigate impacts and exploit opportunities arising from the economic challenges faced by businesses\nThe services listed above relate to the current contract and do not necessarily represent the scope of a contract that may be advertised in the future. The structure of the contract also has not been confirmed and the value of any future contract that may be advertised in the future may differ from the value attached to this notice. This is not a call for competition.",
    "aboveThreshold": true,
    "mainProcurementCategory": "services"
  },
  "parties": [
    {
      "id": "GB-PPON-PWVM-4844-NRQH",
      "name": "Essex County Council",
      "roles": [
        "buyer"
      ],
      "address": {
        "region": "UKH36",
        "country": "GB",
        "locality": "Chelmsford",
        "postalCode": "CM1 1QH",
        "countryName": "United Kingdom",
        "streetAddress": "County Hall, Market Road"
      },
      "details": {
        "classifications": [
          {
            "id": "publicAuthoritySubCentralGovernment",
            "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE",
            "description": "Public authority - sub-central government"
          }
        ]
      },
      "identifier": {
        "id": "PWVM-4844-NRQH",
        "scheme": "GB-PPON"
      },
      "contactPoint": {
        "email": "melody.mahachi@essex.gov.uk"
      }
    }
  ],
  "language": "en",
  "planning": {
    "documents": [
      {
        "id": "049136-2025",
        "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/049136-2025",
        "format": "text/html",
        "noticeType": "UK2",
        "description": "Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender",
        "documentType": "marketEngagementNotice",
        "datePublished": "2025-08-15T13:27:20+01:00"
      }
    ],
    "milestones": [
      {
        "id": "engagement",
        "type": "engagement",
        "status": "scheduled",
        "dueDate": "2025-09-05T23:59:59+01:00",
        "description": "Essex County Council is conducting soft market testing to inform the development of our future business support offer.\nThe Council currently has a business support contract in place that will expire in March 2026, alongside our nationally funded Growth Hub contract.\nWith changes underway in the business support landscape-including the introduction of the national Business Growth Service-we are seeking input to help shape a suitable contract and procurement process.\nAs part of the Council's pre-procurement work, market engagement for the development of a new countywide business support service has already conducted with businesses who may use the service, via a comprehensive survey. This survey enabled us to better understand the current challenges that businesses are facing, what they would want from a business support offer, growth prospects, business support functions, and many other metrics.\nThe Council would now like to hear from potential bidders. To respond to soft market testing please complete the questionnaire found here: https://forms.office.com/e/RPe5nEf3vv The deadline for responses is Friday 5th September."
      }
    ]
  },
  "initiationType": "tender"
}