Procurement
Accessing contracts with either private or public organisations can be a way to expand your market and your sources of finance. It can also help develop your enterprise.
However, to be able to tender you will need the right expertise and knowledge. Below are a few links to information that may be of assistance in understanding procurement and how to make the most of opportunities available.
LOCAL AUTHORITIES
How to do business with West Sussex Councils - Information for suppliers and service providers. Suppliers can click through the West Sussex County Council links for opportunities: http://www.westsussex.gov.uk/doing_business1.aspx
For more detailed information from each of the local authorities in West Sussex, including information on tenders follow the link below
INFORMATION FOR PUBLIC PROCURERS
If you work in public procurement and wish to understand more about how and why to procure from social enterprises the following guides from the Social Enterprise Coalition may help.
More for your money: a guide to procurement from social enterprises (for local authorities)
More for your money: a guide to procurement from social enterprises (for the NHS)
Healthy Business: a guide to social enterprise in health and social care (pdf)
Supporting Information
Equality and Human Rights Council - a number of procurement opportunities are available. For details visit www.equalityhumanrights.com/our-job/procurement-opportunities/
New Procurement Helpdesk - available from NHS Primary Care Contracting. Providers and commissioners can email questions to the helpdesk and seek advice on procurement issues, particularly around the PCT Procurement Guide. The helpdesk is available at www.pcc.nhs.uk/procurement-helpdesk
Business Link information for 2012 - a number of West Sussex businesses have already won London 2012 contracts. For information about opportunities and training, etc. West Sussex Ahead of the Game want to make sure that local businesses interested in bidding for contracts has the right information and support to help them. Information is available by registering with Business Link. For more general information visit www.westsussex-aheadofthegame.com which also lists all the contacts for registering with Business Link.
The National Procurement Strategy for Local Government explains how local authorities can improve the quality, delivery and cost effectiveness of local services through better procurement practices. View the StrategyThe Society of Local Government Purchasing Officers (SOPO) has created a national pre-qualification service. Public sector organisations need assurance that suppliers are suitable to tender for public sector contract opportunities. To know more about registering your company visit the SOPO website
You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your pc to open the pdf documents referred to on this page. If you do not have this you can download a free copy.