The awarding of a contract to run a flagship Welsh Government business support programme has been abandoned after a legal challenge over its procurement was lodged by a losing bidder, it can be revealed.
Under its Business Wales business support brand the Welsh Government had put out to tender a new contract to run its Accelerated Growth Programme (AGP), which provides support to start-ups and SMEs in Wales to help realise their high-growth potential.
Following a procurement exercise the Welsh Government had identified a winning bidder. However, a legal objection came during the cooling off period before contractual sign off. The challenge raised concerns over the transparency of certain criteria in the assessment of bids.
