Open18 days left · closes midday, Friday 16 October 2026

SETsquared Framework For Mentors

In brief

University of Bath (The) is looking for suppliers for consultancy work (South West).

It is a framework worth up to £700,000 including VAT: the most the buyer expects to spend across all suppliers, not one contract.

The contract runs for 4 years, up to 6 years with extensions, starting 1 January 2027.

It is split into 7 lots, so a supplier can bid for part of the work.

The buyer says it is suitable for small and medium-sized businesses.

Bids close at midday, Friday 16 October 2026.

Built from the notice's own fields. Always check the official notice before you bid.

Can I win this?

Key dates

Questions by: 5pm, Friday 25 September 2026
Bids by: midday, Friday 16 October 2026

How bids are scored

Price 40% · Quality 60%

Quality matters most. You can win without being the cheapest.

Competition

Typical: a median of 5 bids per contract for consultancy contracts in this region (from 59 awards in the last 12 months).

Framework

Winning puts you on a list of suppliers the buyer can call on; it does not guarantee work. The £700,000 is the most the buyer expects to spend across all suppliers over the framework's life, not one contract.

Conditions

Suppliers will not be charged a fee.

Tender documents

Tender documents

What the notice says

The University of Bath & SETsquared is seeking to establish a Framework Agreement for the provision of mentoring and business support services. The Framework will provide the University with access to suitably experienced and qualified Suppliers capable of delivering specialist mentoring and business support to a range of individuals and organisations, including researchers, academics, entrepreneurs, founders and businesses. The Framework is divided into seven Lots covering Advanced Manufacturing, Clean Energy Industries, Creative Industries, Digital and Technologies, Defence, Life Sciences, and General sectors. Services include support across the following business support areas: Customer and Market Discovery; Branding and Marketing; Sales, Growth and Impact; Communicating and Pitching; Finance, Operations and Governance; Raising Equity Investment; Founder Leadership; Scaling; and Legal, Intellectual Property and Regulations. The University intends to appoint multiple Suppliers to each Lot. Requirements arising during the Framework term will be called off in accordance with the Call-Off procedures set out within the tender documents. For further information, please review the documents within the tenderbox

Should I bid?

Tick what applies to you. Nothing is saved.

Can you prepare a good bid in 18 days?Leave time for clarification questions and sign-off.
Is a contract of about £700,000 a size you can deliver?Buyers often check that your turnover is comfortably larger than the yearly contract value.
Can you deliver in South West?Check the delivery locations in the tender documents.
Is one of the 7 lots a good fit?You can usually bid for one lot without bidding for the others.
Can you meet what the notice mentions: Framework agreement?The tender documents will say exactly what is required.
Are you registered on the Central Digital Platform?You need to be registered to take part under the Procurement Act 2023.
The buyer says this suits small businesses.A good sign if you are an SME, but check the requirements.

How to bid

Read the full notice on Find a Tender, including any tender documents it links to.
Register your organisation on the Central Digital Platform (through Find a Tender) if you have not already. Suppliers need to be registered to take part in procurements under the Procurement Act 2023.
Submit your bid through the buyer's e-tendering portal: www.delta-esourcing.com.
Send clarification questions before 5pm, Friday 25 September 2026.
Make sure your bid arrives before midday, Friday 16 October 2026. Late bids are usually rejected.

Lots

Lot	Trade	Value
Advanced Manufacturing 1 January 2027 to 1 January 2031 What this lot covers Examples include aerospace, automotive, agri-tech, batteries, space and advanced materials	Management consultancy	£100,000
Clean Energy Industries 1 January 2027 to 1 January 2031 What this lot covers Examples include offshore wind, hydrogen, grid upgrades, carbon capture and decarbonised freight corridors.	Management consultancy	£100,000
Creative Industries 1 January 2027 to 1 January 2031 What this lot covers Examples include arts and culture, advertising, architecture, design, publishing, film, television, music and video games development.	Management consultancy	£100,000
Digital and Technologies 1 January 2027 to 1 January 2031 What this lot covers Examples include artificial intelligence, cyber security, advanced connectivity, engineering biology, quantum technologies and semiconductors.	Management consultancy	£100,000
Defence 1 January 2027 to 1 January 2031 What this lot covers Examples include defence technologies, advanced sensing, autonomous systems and secure communications.	Management consultancy	£100,000
Life Sciences 1 January 2027 to 1 January 2031 What this lot covers Examples include pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical technologies, diagnostics and health data innovation.	Management consultancy	£100,000
Other 1 January 2027 to 1 January 2031 What this lot covers Including Financial Services, Professional and Business Services together with any other sectors not specifically covered by Lots 1-6.	Management consultancy	£100,000

Timeline

4 September 2026Tender notice · UK4, notice 083861-2026

About the buyer

University of Bath (The)Last 12 months

Procurements

Awards

Suppliers it has used most for consultancy

STUDY GROUP LIMITED (trading as Study Group)1 contract

All tenders and awards from University of Bath (The)

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From notice 083861-2026 on Find a Tender, first published 4 September 2026. We last checked for changes on 28 September 2026.