Routes to Market

Supplying the Public Sector directly is not the only route to market available to small companies.

Opportunities also exist in supplying indirectly through national and regional wholesalers, distributors and processors or by collaborating with a group of suppliers to work together to supply all or part of a larger contract.  

The three main routes to market are:

Direct Supply - increasingly Public Sector buyers are splitting contracts into smaller lots that allow companies to supply part of the overall requirement. In lots the overall requirement has to be advertised in one go but the requirements can be divided into a number of contracts. This is of particular benefit to smaller companies who may have a limited product range and distribution capability yet still wish to supply directly.  For more information go to our Tender Portals page.

Indirect Supply - for small companies lacking the scale to sell to the Public Sector directly opportunities may exist to supply products to those who already hold Public Sector contracts.  Look at our 'Doing Business with...' to find out about meeting the main contractors of major builds.

Collaborate to Supply - working in partnership with others is a great way for like-minded small companies to enhance their ability to supply to the Public Sector. Collaboration often allows a wider range of products to be offered as well as increasing your ability to meet the quality, consistency and security of supply requirements.  If collaboration is of interest to you the SDP host the Tendering Together workshop.