Call for Expressions of Interest. for Consultants for Strategic Plan Cluster Development. within the EU COSME project ECRI

Transcription

1 Call for Expressions of Interest for Consultants for Strategic Plan Cluster Development within the EU COSME project ECRI 1

2 Overview: The Biotechnological and Biomedical Cluster of the Balearic Islands, BIOIB, seeks submissions from qualified consultancies for support in the development of the new 3-5 years strategic plan for the cluster and a roadmap to help monitor the implementation of the strategy, as an action integrated in the ECRI project, EU funded under the cluster excellence program. Short description of the cluster BIOIB was born in 2010 as an initiative of the Government of the Balearic Islands and of the Balearic Association of Companies of Biotechnology, constituted by companies in which the technological innovation plays a fundamental role inside his competitive strategy. BIOIB's principal aim is to increase and to reinforce the competitiveness of the economy of the islands in a long term, promoting sectors that contribute to the economic development of the region. Short description of the ECRI project: The ECRI project is composed of four Life Science clusters with the common objective to improve the performance of the four consortium clusters, achieve and maintain cluster excellence in order to strengthen the competitiveness of their actors, - in particular SMEs- and foster trans-cluster cooperation. This set of goals will be achieved through the implementation of the following actions: 2 bronze labels and a benchmarking exercise based on ESCA results, a Cluster and sector comparative analysis report and the training activities based on the common strengths and weaknesses identified. From the data obtained, the lessons learned and the study visits, the consortium members will develop a new 3-5-year individual strategic plan and a roadmap to help monitor the implementation of the strategy, the increase of business competitiveness in the sector (through projects, patents, services, etc.), and the accomplishment of the Smart Specialization Strategies. A common strategy will be developed on how to continue to follow excellence in cluster management and on possible common activities to be developed after the project, highlighting possible funding opportunities at European level and potential synergies between various related sectors. Finally, through several dissemination activities and tools (local workshops, and newsletter, project presentations at external events and the Green Paper on the 2

3 learned lessons) the partnership will be able to communicate at regional, national and European level the results and benefits of this project. Invitation: BIOIB is seeking proposals from a qualified consultant to work with the cluster management team to develop a comprehensive strategic plan. The ideal consultant must have the following qualities: Extensive strategic planning experience, including the ability to conduct all required research, coordinate and facilitate the planning process, and create a strategic planning document suitable for presentation. Experience and knowledge in Cluster politics at regional, national and international level. Knowledge of the Biotechnological and Biomedical and Bio-economy sector will be considered an asset. Knowledge in cluster management will be also considered an asset. Objectives: The objective of this request for proposals is to select a qualified consultant to provide external assistance to the development of a comprehensive strategic plan. The strategic plan is envisioned to be a document based on the results obtained from the ESCA cluster benchmarking reports, comparative evaluations and the sector analysis, and the lessons learned on the trainings in order to master future challenges within the cluster and the sector but with the view for external cooperation. It also has to take into consideration the stakeholders, the regional context and the smart specialization strategies. A roadmap will also be developed to help monitor the implementation of the strategy, to increase business competitiveness in the sector (through projects, patents, services, etc.), and to help to the accomplishment of the Smart Specialization Strategies. Scope of work: The selected consultant will work with BIOIB staff to develop the strategic plan. The consultant will: Select the relevant information from the previous analyses; Meet with the cluster members (SMEs, Universities, research centers, and the public administration); Present the findings of the situational analysis to the cluster management team; 3

4 Based on the feedback and finds, develop a draft strategic plan, scoreboard and a roadmap; Share draft strategic plan with the members of the cluster; Finalize, based on the contributions of all members, print and present the final version of the strategic plan. Evaluation criteria: The evaluation will be based on the following criteria: Qualifications and expertise: max 30 points Technical merit of the offer: max 40 points Economic offer: max 30 points Total maximum score is 100 points. The applicants will be selected on the basis of the highest score obtained. In the case of a tie, the applicant with a lower price offer will be awarded. The evaluation of the offers received will be performed by BIOIBs cluster management team. Terms and Payment: Payments will be made in Euros. The amount paid to the expert(s) shall be gross and inclusive of all associated costs such as social security, income tax, VAT, travel and accommodation costs and any other expenditure. Application procedure: Interested applicants must submit the application documents by to Tanit Mir (Project Manager ECRI) projectes@bioib.org and cc to Mariela Adrover ( Cluster manager of BIOIB) not later than 10 th June Application documents are expected to contain the following information: A one-page Letter of Interest, containing personal contact details of the expert(s) explaining why they, he/she is the most suitable for the work. Brief summary of the relevant professional experience in the field of cluster development and strategic plan elaboration. CV of the expert(s) including at least 2 references. 4

5 An action plan and methodology to elaborate the strategic plan, a scoreboard and the roadmap. Other relevant information to prove the required qualifications and skills. Economic offer for the strategic plan and roadmap elaboration In case of natural person, a declaration of honour regarding personal availability to deliver the elaboration of the strategic plan. In case of an organization, the declaration must be released by the nominated consultant. All the information must be included into 1 single document, not exceeding 15 pages, to be sent in pdf format. Contact details: Tanit Mir Project manager ECRI Project manager BIOIB Biotechnological and Biomedical Cluster of the Balearic Islands ParcBit Ed. Son Espanyol, Palma de Mallorca, Spain Phone: Mobile: projectes@bioib.org 5