Expert Networks Long Term Provision

Overview

The Authority is seeking to procure Expert Network Services to provide on‑demand access to vetted and pre‑qualified subject‑matter experts across a broad range of industry sectors, to support informed decision‑making in relation to investment activity and wider financial, strategic, and operational matters. The Services will primarily support the Authority’s Investment & Advisory function, comprising its Banking & Investment team and its Local Authority Advisory & Lending team. The Services may also be utilised by other functional teams across the Authority, including Portfolio Management, Risk, and Impact teams. The Supplier will be required to provide access to a diverse network of subject‑matter experts, including (without limitation) founders, senior executives, high‑level officials, and academics. The Services will enable the Authority to engage directly with selected experts to obtain targeted insights on companies, assets, sectors, technologies, markets, and wider industry developments. The Supplier shall facilitate project‑specific requests and provide shortlists of relevant experts aligned to defined project profiles. The Authority will select experts for direct one‑to‑one meetings, typically of up to 60 minutes’ duration, delivered via online meetings or, where appropriate and agreed, in‑person meetings. The Authority must have the option to withhold or anonymise its identity when engaging with experts. Where meetings are conducted online, the Authority requires the option to record consultations and to generate audio recordings and written transcripts, using artificial intelligence and/or human transcription services. The Authority must be able to access, download, and retain such recordings and transcripts for internal use. The Supplier must provide an intuitive and secure online platform to support delivery of the Services, enabling expert search, project request management, meeting facilitation, and access to recordings and transcripts. Where suitable expertise is not available within the Supplier’s existing network, the Supplier must be capable of sourcing, vetting, onboarding, and contracting additional experts, including those nominated by the Authority, to equivalent standards of credibility, compliance, and relevance. The Services are expected to cover a wide range of industry sectors, including but not limited to advanced materials, aerospace supply chains, artificial intelligence, battery manufacturing and electric vehicle supply chains, carbon capture, critical minerals, defence, energy infrastructure, hydrogen, life sciences, nuclear, offshore wind, place‑based regeneration, ports, power networks, semiconductors, solar, sustainable aviation fuels, transport infrastructure, and water. This list is non‑exhaustive and may evolve during the contract term. Further detail is included in the procurement documents pack made available by NWF in respect of the tender notice. It should be noted that the value of these contracts represents their maximum value, as opposed to committed spend.