A free online public procurement course designed to help smaller
firms bid for the £220 billion of public sector contracts
awarded each year has been launched.
The course, 'Winning the Contract', shows participants how to
identify business opportunities to supply goods and services to the
public sector, explains the public procurement process, and
demonstrates how to submit tenders. It has helpful hints and tips
to guide and inform businesses on the bidding process, and where to
find public sector contract opportunities.
Trade, Investment and Small Business Minister Lord Davies said:
"Small and medium-sized businesses already sell their goods and
services to the public sector, but many more could do so. Opening
up public sector procurement to a wider range of suppliers provides
new opportunities for small businesses as the UK economy heads
towards growth."
Chief Secretary to the Treasury Liam Bryne, MP said: "Small and
medium-sized businesses are the engine-room of our economy. We want
them to harness the spending power of government to grow their
businesses and create jobs. This new free course will help those
businesses to compete effectively for government contracts, locking
in the recovery and strengthening businesses throughout the
country."
Stephen Smith, Chief Executive of EMB Ltd the organisation
responsible for delivering the regional Business Link service adds:
"Winning the Contract is a nationally available, online training
course that businesses of any size from any sector can access free
of charge. It is part of a series of joint initiatives by the
Office of Government Commerce and Department for Business,
Innovation and Skills aimed at making the procurement market
clearer and simpler. We hope that many East Midlands businesses
will take the time to learn about the market opportunities offered
by the public sector and the transparent tendering processes used
to ensure a fair chance for our local small businesses."
For more information and guidance, contact Business Link on 0845
058 6644 email: info@businesslinkem.co.uk or visit
www.businesslink.gov.uk/eastmidlands/procurement