Services for ESIF Internationalisation Fund Administration

The DIT is seeking a service provider to manage the Fund Administration of four DIT European Structural & Investment Fund (ESIF) projects delivering "Internationalisation Funds" to small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in England. The combined value of the ESIF projects is c£35.7m over three years, but there is the potential for the value to increase if more ESIF funding is made available. These projects will provide co-investment funding to SMEs, subject to meeting the relevant criteria for that project.

Average fund (grant) size is expected to be c£5k, which suggests over 7,000 successful fund awards to SMEs will be required over the contract period. The Fund Administrator will be responsible for the full SME fund appraisal, award and payment process. They will be required to develop and administer a process that is fully ESIF compliant. In delivering the Internationalisation Funds the service provider will be required to work closely with DIT's regional International Trade Adviser (ITA) delivery partners, who will be responsible for delivering the pipeline of eligible and suitable SME applicants for the projects.

Estimated total contract value range is £2.2m to £3.6m (excluding TUPE costs and inflation). The upper value includes deployment of additional services subject to increased funding.

The contract will be awarded on the basis of the most economically advantageous tender, in accordance with the criteria stated in the procurement documents.