Help for local firms to win public-sector work
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SMALL to medium-sized businesses in Moray looking to win public-sector contracts are being offered free training in the new year.
Following the launch of Moray Council as a full member of the Supplier Development Programme, two face-to-face training courses are planned.
Aimed at micro, small and medium businesses that want to do business with the public sector, the training will be delivered by the programme in Elgin.
The first session, "Improving Your Bid Score", will be held on January 16 at Elgin's Youth Café.
Getting the highest possible score in a public sector bid is essential to winning a contract, but it can be difficult to know what exactly the buyer is looking for. This workshop will provide an insight into buyers’ needs and expectations and ensure businesses are winning points.
The second training session, "Tender Procedures and the European Single Procurement Document (ESPD)", will run on February 19 at the Youth Café.
The first half of this intermediate-level workshop will cover various types of tender procedures, including processes and timescales. The second half deals with the selection stage and completing the ESPD.
Diane Beattie, Moray Council payments manager, said: "Support through the Supplier Development Programme is an essential step for Moray Council to support local small and medium-sized businesses to tender for public sector contracts with us and all across Scotland, where there is a cumulative annual public spend of £11 billion.
"These free workshops will ensure Moray businesses are better informed about how to find, win and keep public sector contracts. We hope that local businesses will take advantage of the opportunity and sign up to attend in the New Year."
Gillian Cameron, supplier development programme manager, said: "A few months ago, we conducted two surveys to gather local suppliers’ views on how they wish to be supported by Moray Council procurement, as well as by the supplier development programme. These two workshops were the top responses, so we hope to see a good turnout from small and medium-sized businesses in Moray to work to encourage their involvement in future bidding opportunities."
