As advertised on the UK Government Contract Finder Portal (https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk) Blue Orchid is seeking a supplier of IT Support and MS Licences to ensure that we can continue to meet the needs of our customers and have a robust IT system.
In order to achieve this, we require an organisation to provide IT support as follows:
• Provision of standard 9-5 support for in house and remote users
• Number of users expected is to be 25
• Pro-active monitoring of systems and full preventative support and maintenance
• Provision of emergency out of hours support – dedicated number/team
• Full Back Up and Mirroring of Servers / PCs / Laptops
• Microsoft Certification
• Anti-Virus provisioning, with full preventative support and maintenance
• Full account management reporting each quarter
• Support to maintain GDPR compliance
• RMM Software
• Hardware and Software upgrades
• Pro-active Internet monitoring and Support
• 24-month Term Contract, with annual performance review with 24-month renewal options, or until the ERDF project ends
Additionally we require the provider to manage the monthly subscription of our MS Office Premium Licences and MS CRM Dynamic Customer Service Enterprise licences and provide a monthly licence cost for each.
The successful tenderer(s) will be required to provide management information to meet the needs of Blue Orchid including evidence that they are be Cyber Essentials Certified or ISO/IEC 27001 certified. If required, you will be asked to submit a security plan that explains how you will ensure that Blue Orchid or personnel data will be protected.
Note: Blue Orchid currently has a provider of ICT Support Services including the winning provider will be required to liaise with the provider and ensure a seamless transition.
Details of the tender specification & tender response documentation can be accessed here
Clarification queries & responses can be accessed here
Blue Orchids standard supplier terms & conditions can be accessed here
Closing date: 28 July 2020
These goods and services will in part be used to support the delivery of a project funded through the European Regional Development Fund
As advertised on the UK Government Contract Finder Portal (https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk) Blue Orchid is seeking a supplier of Stationery & Office Supplies.
The requirements are as follows:
• To provide a wide range of office stationery and supplies for an SME which includes such items as: paper, binders, folders, flipcharts, note pads, post-it notes, pens, pencils, staples, staplers, paperclips, laminates, office stamps, business stationery, printed items, ink cartridges etc.
• To be able to deliver on site at short notice through purchase orders to offices in Liverpool city centre.
Details of the tender specification & tender response documentation can be accessed here
Clarification queries & responses can be accessed here
Blue Orchids standard supplier terms & conditions can be accessed here
Closing date: 27 July 2020
These goods and services will in part be used to support the delivery of a project funded through the European Regional Development Fund
We are currently looking for an experienced business advisor to work across Merseyside on a full time basis. The successful applicant will be working with clients from across this area helping them formulate business plans and cash flow forecasts as well as advising generally on all matters relating to the business start up process. You will also be required to account manage clients for an initial period of 12 months to ensure any issues, concerns or barriers that may come up in this period are addressed and assisted to ensure the clients can achieve sustainability.
All interested candidates should in the first instance send a copy of their most up to date CV and a covering letter detailing why they feel they would be suitable for this role. Selected candidates will be asked to take part in an interview.
Please send your details to p.ward@blueorchid.co.uk
Job Reference: BOES20-02
Deadline for responses: 24th July at 5pm
As businesses continue to adapt to the current pandemic affecting everyone across the country, Blue Orchid’s dedicated team of staff and associates continue to help all business owners and those in self employment to navigate through the myriad of government support products available as well as providing meaningful and up to date advice on how to ensure some level of continuity within your business during this time whilst preparing for the impending news that we may be able to slowly start returning to work.
There is a variety of support available for you and your business from our team on a wide range of subjects. To find out what sessions you could access, follow us on twitter or take a look at our dedicated page for all the most up to date and relevant business advice at this time: https://blueorchid.co.uk/corona-virus/
Following recent UK Government advice regarding social distancing and how to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 virus Blue Orchid has closed its offices in both Liverpool and Solihull for the foreseeable future.
However, we will endeavour to continue to deliver meaningful and up to date business support services online and over the phone.
New Enterprise Allowance (Merseyside): We are working with DWP to develop and roll out online Link Up / Start Up workshops for those clients referred into the New Enterprise Programme by their work coach. Our advisers will continue to offer one-to-one support to those working to start a new business through online and telephone meetings
Enterprise for Success (Greater Birmingham & Solihull): We will shortly be launching online masterclasses for those eligible clients within Greater Birmingham & Solihull that wish to access the business support training delivered through the programme. Our advisers will continue to offer one-to-one support to those working to start a new business through online and telephone meetings.
Business Energy & Efficiency Programme (Cheshire & Warrington): This programme is open for new applications. The delivery of the on-site Energy Audit may be delivered through a combination of video call and the submission of asset and utility billing information for those businesses with simple sites. However, where a site audit would likely require a guided visit to your premises that would breach the governments social distancing advice applications may be placed on hold until the current situation is resolved.
#GrowMySME (Humberside): We are currently working with funders to develop an online portal of support for businesses in this region with a mixture of crisis management and business development support.
In addition to our existing projects we hope to make Blue Orchids advisors available to assist both our current and past clients to access the Government support that is being made available when the details of these schemes are finalised.
Further information on the Governments business support response to Covid-19 please visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19/covid-19-support-for-businesses
Blue Orchid is one of the most knowledgeable and well-respected providers of business advice and support programmes in the UK. Established in 2001, we have a proven track record of delivering best in class start-up advice and business growth consultancy.
We are currently looking to increase our pool of highly capable and experienced trainers and mentors based within the specific geographic areas of Worcestershire and Yorkshire & Humberside and the surrounding areas.
This will be procured in 2 Lots that will operate across the following Geographic areas;
The Lots are;
Lot 1 – Appoint a number of Business Advisors to support SMEs in a range of disciplines
Lot 2 – Appoint a number of Workshop Presenters to deliver workshops across a range of topics to support SMEs
If you are based within these ares and have expertise in delivering business support, mentoring and training to business owners, managers and leadership teams we’d like to hear from you. To apply please download the full specification here.
Closing Date: 31 March 2020
Following his recent retirement one of Blue Orchids most respected and well-loved advisors Marcus Cole has been presented with a special achievement award at an event held to celebrate the Greater Birmingham & Solihull Enterprise for Success programme on Tuesday 24th September at the new Princes Trust
To an audience which included a number of past clients who Marcus had supported and mentored in starting their own successful business, Fran Hall of Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council presenting the award, read out a small number of the many glowing tributes that both the programme and Blue Orchid have received praising his efforts, such as that from Gary Jakeman of Pied Piper Pest & Wildlife Management who told us ‘Without Marcus’s help I honestly don’t think we would be where we are today.
He has the passion and determination to ensure you succeed and through his excellent advice and knowledge we as a company have grown and now work with some of the largest Blue-Chip Companies not only in England but around the UK’.
Fran herself told the audience ‘Even though Marcus retired in 2017 I am regularly asked if he is still working with the programme’.
As a result of some mild subterfuge from his former colleagues Marcus himself knew nothing of the award and despite being retired had accepted the invite to the event solely to come and along and support the programme and so was taken by surprise in finding himself honoured in this way.
Peter Daniel, Area Manager for the Midlands summed up the thoughts of the entire Blue Orchid team to the award, ‘Marcus we all aspire to be as respected and supportive as you and I am proud to have worked with you.’
Tenders are invited to develop and deliver a summative assessment for the ERDF Project – Cheshire & Warrington Growth Hub, Grant & Advice Service (2015-2019) that complies with and satisfies the requirements of the European Regional Development Fund.
The Cheshire & Warrington Growth Hub, Grant & Advice Service project provides a first point of contact for SMEs to access advice, guidance and referral into the ecosystem of the business Support services available both nationally and locally. Provision of online resources, telephone support and access to 1-2-1 business advice for SMEs with identified growth potential to support them to develop a plan for accessing the support required for them to realise their potential.
In addition, the core BEIS funding was used as match to draw down ERDF funding and provide additional services to business including financial grants, additional IDB provision and 12 hours specialist consultancy support.
The project has been delivered by Blue Orchid Enterprise Solutions Ltd since 2015 on behalf of the Cheshire & Warrington LEP and included the delivery of;
The successful provider will:
Deadline for response: 19/09/2019
Click here to view the full tender specification & supporting documents.
The project is part-funded by European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)
Blue Orchid is one of the most knowledgeable and well-respected providers of business advice and support programmes in the UK. Established in 2001, we have a proven track record of delivering best in class start-up advice and business growth consultancy.
We currently have a significant presence and provide business support services for several Local Enterprise Partnerships, Local Authorities and Government Departments across Merseyside, Cheshire & Warrington, Greater Birmingham & Solihull and Worcestershire. Historically we also have significant experience in delivering a variety of business start-up, business growth and training programmes across the UK.
We are currently looking to increase our pool of highly capable and experienced associates and partners for 2019 – 2021.
If you have expertise in delivering business support, mentoring and training to business owners, managers and leadership teams we’d like to hear from you. To apply please download the full specification here.
Closing Date 31 May 2019
Blue Orchid currently delivers a range of advice, guidance and mentoring services to small & medium sized businesses including the delivery of an EU funded small business grant programme – C&W Growth Hub and Grant Service, which began in 2016.
Our existing VOIP Telephone System & ICT Support & Maintenance which were contracted in 2015 come to and end on 31/03/2019. Therefore Blue Orchid wishes to procure the following telephony & ICT services as 2 Lots:
• LOT 1 – Provision of VOIP telephone system
• LOT 2 – Provision of ICT Support Services
The full tender documentation can be found here.
Deadline for response: 15/04/2019
Please note this is re-issue of this tender opportunity. Any tenders currently submitted will be automatically included within this procurement exercise.
The project is part-funded by European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)