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EVALUATION OF REGIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENTS
The Regional Infrastructure Consortium (RIC) in the
North East has been established to identify infrastructure needs that can
not be met a local level and/or are specific to regional organisations.
It has recently undertaken a consultation exercise to
identify needs and recommend activities and projects that will improve
infrastructure within the region. This forms the basis of a Regional
Infrastructure Strategy 2008-2014 and Regional Business Plan for 2008-2011.
RATIONALE
The RIC has allocated some of the Consortia Development
Fund from Capacitybuilders to carry out two pieces of work to measure the
impact of the new consortium and the impact of the regional ChangeUp
projects that were funded during 2006 to 2008.
Part a) Impact Assessment of the Regional
Infrastructure Consortium
This new group was set up in spring 2007 following an
extensive review of an existing group. This group has mainly been driven
by the ChangeUp funding programme and has successfully met targets set by
Capacitybuilders. During the last year the consortium has been through a
period of transformation and the value and impact of this need to be
captured. This work will review the performance of RIC, and the
effectiveness of new regional structures. The evaluation of the
performance and achievements of the group will help them to identify a way
forward and to develop independent aims and objectives for the next three
years.
Part b) Evaluation of 3 funded projects (FINE,
ICT and Facilitation/Grant Management)
The original Region-wide Consortium selected 3 projects
for the funding round in 2006-08. The new consortium is very keen to
evaluate the projects so that they can promote the benefits of regional
working methods, improve awareness of the RIC and its purpose, and create
an evidence base for developing new projects for the North East Meta Plan.
ACTIVITIES
Part a)
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Refer to Regional
Infrastructure Development Project to gain understanding and background
to the review.
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Consult with RIC,
Sub-Regional Consortia, RIDG and Infrastructure Strategic Partnership
members on the effectiveness of the structures in place.
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Develop an evaluation
framework for RIC and use this to collect the views of members.
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Compile a report on the
findings from the evaluation feedback and any recommendations.
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Produce a draft 3 year
action plan for the Consortium.
Part b)
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Develop an evaluation
framework for the three projects identified.
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Consult with project
beneficiaries, RIC members and wider voluntary and community sector on
the impact of the projects.
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Produce a final
analysis of the achievements, coverage, and performance of the projects.
TIMETABLE
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28th March Deadline for submission of
proposals
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31st March Selection of contractor to
deliver projects a) and b)
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April Begin work
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15th May Share interim findings with RIC
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30th June Part a) Submit evaluation report
including recommendations and draft action plan. Part b) Submit final
analysis of projects.
RESOURCES AVAILABLE
The total budget for this project inclusive of VAT
is £20,000 which is available to cover all fees and expenses. This
is broken down to include:
Part a) Consortium evaluation £5 000
Part b) Project Impact £15 000
Tenders over this figure will not be considered. The
contract holder must indicate whether they wish to deliver part a, b or
both.
REPORTING MECHANISMS
VONNE is the lead organisation responsible for the
commissioning of this project, though the Regional Infrastructure
Consortium has overall responsibility for the project and the researchers
will report to RIC at regular stages.
NEXT STEPS
This contract will be let in one stage. Tenders are
invited and selection will be made by a small panel of RIC members on the
basis of the information detailed below.
If you are interested in delivering on this piece of
work please make a written submission which covers the following areas: -
understanding of the brief, your proposed methodology, staffing, skills
and organisational experience and a detailed cost/time breakdown
(including expenses/subsistence).
Submissions should be no longer than 3 pages and
include the following:
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Main contact details
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Legal status of
organisation/business
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Confirmation that the
organisation holds a health and safety policy, has quality assurance,
audited accounts, an equalities policy and an annual report. (If
organisation employs less than 5 staff or is an independent consultant
policies will be desirable but not essential.)
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Your organisation’s
track record in delivering evaluations within the VCS.
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If you will be working
in partnership on this project, list the potential partners and their
roles.
Submissions should be received by 28th March
by Jane Cater at VONNE.
E:
janecater@vonne.co.uk
P: 9th Floor, Cale Cross, 156 Pilgrim
Street, Newcastle NE1 6SU
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