Scottish Government
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Help for businesses bidding for work
A new website will make it easier for Scottish companies to bid for work in the public sector, Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure and Capital Investment Alex Neil announced yesterday.
The online Supplier Journey will guide businesses through the process of applying for contracts, making the system more streamlined and easier to understand.
The new website was developed with the help of Scottish companies who have already gone through the process.
In Glasgow to launch the website at the National Procurement Conference, Mr Neil said:
"It's really important that suppliers have a voice in public procurement, and we have worked with Scottish businesses to design the Supplier Journey. Their feedback will be key to keeping it fresh.
"The website will guide firms large and small through each step in the process - setting out what they can expect from buyers, and what is expected of them.
"This brings together and simplifies a lot of often complicated guidance, making it easier to understand. It will be particularly useful for small businesses, which are the engine driving Scotland's economy.
"We have already put in place a number of measures to support SMEs, such as the introduction of quick quote - a simplified online way of buying lower value goods.
"As a result, SMEs make up 74 per cent of all firms winning contracts advertised on Public Contracts Scotland. Today's development will make it easier still for SMEs to bid for work".
Businesswoman Moira Bain, managing director of office furniture firm Azzurro, was on the Supplier Engagement Working Group which helped develop the site.
She said:
"The Supplier Journey is a useful guide for firms interested in doing business with public sector organisations.
"The style and presentation is user friendly and logical, providing useful links to supplementary information.
"The site is indeed very useful from a supplier's point of view - we can understand how the whole journey comes together and this makes the process much easier and more transparent.
"If followed and adopted, it will do away with all the inconsistencies and differing interpretations that can confuse and disadvantage a supplier and will encourage suppliers to apply for tenders."
