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27 Scottish Local Authorities to Exhibit at Meet the Buyer 2021

Meet the Buyer logo

The Supplier Development Programme is delighted to announce that 27 out of the 32 Scottish local authorities will be exhibiting at the Meet the Buyer 2021: Live Virtual Event on 8 June. Each local authority attending will have its own virtual exhibition stand.

The exhibition stands will be open all day, from 10:00am - 4:00pm, with staff always available to talk. When visiting the virtual stand, attendees can either pick an exhibitor to speak with, or join the exhibition queue and the next available member of staff will connect. While attendees are waiting in the queue, each exhibitor will have different digital materials to view.

It is important to note that once an attendee is in a queue, if you leave it, you will lose your place and have to re-join from the bottom of the queue.

Suppliers are encouraged to read more information on each local authority exhibiting at the event, and what can be expected at each exhibition.

Aberdeen City Council, Aberdeenshire Council and Highland Council

Council logos

Aberdeen City Council, Aberdeenshire Council, and Highland Council will be sharing an exhibition stand under the Commercial & Procurement Shared Service (C&PSS). The Service was formed as the three councils produce good, works and services annually amounting to over £1 billion. Depending on the strategic importance of the tender, it will either be undertaken by the Service, or by the Commercial & Procurement Shared Service. Pop by the virtual exhibition stand to find out more about C&PSS and future contract opportunities across the three local authority areas.

Argyll and Bute Council

Argyll and Bute logo

Argyll and Bute Council will have a virtual exhibition stand at the event. If your business is based in Argyll and Bute, you can visit the exhibition stand to hear about future contract opportunities and where to find them.

Clackmannanshire Council

Clackmannanshire Council logo

The Clackmannanshire Council virtual stand will be staffed with several different representatives from different departments. Visit the virtual stand to find out about upcoming events, and learn about the process of working with the Council. You could also ask about its procurement surgeries for local businesses with the Council's Procurement Manager. Additionally, be sure to ask about the upcoming Forth Valley Meet the Buyer event that will explore opportunities available through the Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Region Deal on 30 June!

Dumfries & Galloway Council

Dumfries and Galloway Council logo

Dumfries & Galloway Council’s procurement team will be at the Meet the Buyer event to talk with suppliers about its future contract opportunities and where to find them. If you are a Scottish SME, supported business or third sector organisation that is based in Dumfries & Galloway, you should definitely visit this stand. Additionally, be sure to ask about the upcoming Meet the Buyer South event on 23 November!

Dundee City Council

Dundee City Council logo

As well as an exhibition, Dundee City Council will delivering a presentation on how to do business with Fife and Tayside, with the opportunity for suppliers to ask questions during a live Q&A panel. This is on Sustainability and Innovation Stage starting at 2pm. As there will be four councils taking part in this Q&A, there may not be time to answer everyone’s questions. If you have a specific question for Dundee City Council, drop by the virtual exhibition stand and the staff on the stand will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

East Dunbartonshire Council

East Dunbatonshire Council logo

Check out the East Dunbartonshire Council exhibition stand to hear about its procurement process and how you get start working with this Council. East Dunbartonshire is also part of the Glasgow City Region City Deal, which is being featured on the Inclusive Growth Stage from 2:00pm to 3:45pm.

East Lothian Council

East Lothian Council logo

East Lothian Council will have a virtual exhibition stand at the event. If you have a small to medium business based in East Lothian or the surrounding area you should visit this exhibition stand to hear about future contract opportunities and where to find them.

East Renfrewshire Council

East Renfrewshire Council logo

East Renfrewshire Council will be at the event to talk to SMEs future contract opportunities with the region. If you are interested in working with East Renfrewshire Council it is vital that you visit this exhibition stand.

The City of Edinburgh Council

City of Edinburgh Council logo

The City of Edinburgh Council will be presenting on the Inclusive Growth Stage in the morning of the event. The three presentation are: The City of Edinburgh Council: Meet the “Real” Buyer, The Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal and Capital City Partnership, and How to Do Business with The City of Edinburgh Council. Each of the presentations will be followed by a live Q&A with suppliers. If your question doesn’t get answered during the Q&A, you can visit The City of Edinburgh Council's exhibit, where the team will be happy to answer any question you may have. The City of Edinburgh Council is particularly interested in meeting local SMEs, supported businesses and third sector organisations that may wish to bid for upcoming contract and framework opportunities like the Temporary Accommodation contract, which will be supported with aligned training on 9 June with the Supplier Development Programme.

Falkirk Council

Falkirk Council logo

Falkirk Council will have a virtual exhibition stand at the event. If you have a small business that is based in Falkirk or the surrounding area, you should visit this exhibition stand to hear about future contract opportunities and where to find them. Falkirk Council offers regular procurement clinics to local suppliers based within the local authority area. Additionally, be sure to ask about the upcoming Forth Valley Meet the Buyer event that will explore opportunities available through the Falkirk Growth Deal on 30 June!

Fife Council

Fife Council logo

Fife Council will have two exhibition stands, so that suppliers can learn more about how Fife Means Business with Invest Fife. One exhibition will be staffed by the Fife Council Economic Development, and the other by the Fife Council Procurement Team. The exhibits are separate to ensure suppliers are able to connect with the right area of work straight away. Fife Council will also be involved in the presentation and live Q&A “How to Do Business with Fife and Tayside” at 2:00pm on the Sustainability and Innovation Stage.

Glasgow City Council

Glasgow City Council logoGlasgow City Council makes a powerful contribution to the Scottish economy with an annual output of around £13 billion that supports over 400,000 jobs. The Council will have two exhibition stands at this year's Meet the Buyer event. One exhibit will be staffed by the Glasgow City Council Corporate Procurement Unit, who will be ready to talk with you about future contract opportunities with Glasgow City. The other will be staffed by the Glasgow City Region Deal (GCRCD) ready to talk with you about different contract opportunities that have materialised from the Deal. Representatives from the eight City Region councils will be on hand at virtual exhibition stands throughout the day to talk through their City Deal programmes and projects, as well as wider council capital investment programmes, outlining what contracts are coming up to award and when.

Councillor Susan Aitken, Leader of Glasgow City Council, will open the afternoon sessions on the Inclusive Growth Stage. GCRCD will also be giving some presentations throughout the day on the Inclusive Growth stage. These include: Launch of Glasgow City Region City Deal Contract Pipeline, GCRCD; Cylde Waterfront and Renfrew Riverside Project, GCRCD: Former Exxon Mobil Fuel Depot at Milton Development, and GCRCD: Ravenscraig Access Infrastructure Development.

UK Government Minister for Scotland Iain Stewart said:

“The UK Government is investing £500 million into infrastructure projects in the region and I welcome this latest contract pipeline launch as these schemes will bring many jobs to the area.

“Communities should benefit from start to finish from government projects, so I encourage the region’s businesses to take full advantage of this latest round of contracts.

“Across Scotland we are investing more than £1.5 billion into Growth Deal projects that will help us to build back better from the pandemic.”

Economy Secretary Kate Forbes said:

“I’m very pleased that the latest contract pipeline for the Glasgow City Region Deal will be launched in the coming weeks. This is a great opportunity for local businesses and I would encourage participation in the online event.

“The Scottish Government is a full partner in the Glasgow City Region Deal, contributing £500 million over 20 years. Contracts awarded through the Deal will contribute to the region’s economic recovery by creating jobs, and providing the commercial infrastructure to support and attract businesses to Glasgow and the surrounding areas.”

Inverclyde Council

Inverclyde Council

Inverclyde Council’s procurement team will be at the Meet the Buyer event to talk with suppliers about its future contract opportunities and where to find them. If you are a Scottish SME based in Inverclyde, you should definitely visit this stand.

Inverclyde Council is also a partner in the Glasgow City Region City Deal, which will formally launch the latest contract pipeline for its £1 billion City Deal infrastructure programme including details of over £150 million worth of tier one infrastructure contracts due to go to open tender in the coming three years during the Meet the Buyer 2021 event.

Midlothian Council

Midlothian Council logo

Midlothian Council’s procurement team will be at the Meet the Buyer event to talk with suppliers about its future contract opportunities and where to find them. If you are a Scottish SME based in Midlothian, don’t forget to stop by the stand to introduce your business and ensure you're up-to-date on future contracts that will be advertised in the coming year!

Moray Council

Moray Council logo

Moray Council is joining the national Meet the Buyer for the first time, with a procurement team waiting to talk to suppliers in the Exhibit Hall. If you have a small business is based in Moray or are interested in expanding your business to Morayshire, visit the exhibition stand to hear about future contract opportunities and where to find them.

North Ayrshire Council

North Ayrshire Council logo

The North Ayrshire Council procurement team will be staffing the North Ayrshire exhibition stand. Don't forget to virtually drop by to chat about current and future contract opportunities and where to find them!

North Lanarkshire Council

North Lanarkshire Council logo

North Lanarkshire Council will be taking part in the Launch of GCRD Contract Pipeline presentation and GCRD: Ravenscraig Access Infrastructure Development. If you have any questions about these upcoming contract opportunities, or want to hear about any other its other contract opportunities please visit the North Lanarkshire Council exhibition stand and speak to one of the team.

Perth & Kinross Council

Perth & kinross Council logo

The Perth & Kinross Council procurement team will be virtually exhibiting at Meet the Buyer 2021. Visit this stand if you are a sole trader or have a small to medium sized business and you are interested in bidding for future Perth and Kinross Council contract opportunities, like the upcoming Housing Term Maintenance Framework, which SDP will be supporting with aligned engagement and tender training webinars. The Council is also interested in talking with businesses which are either based in and around the Tayside region.

As well as an exhibition, Perth & Kinross Council will delivering a presentation on how to do business with Fife and Tayside, with the opportunity for suppliers to ask questions during a live Q&A panel. This is on Sustainability and Innovation Stage starting at 2pm.

Renfrewshire Council

Renfrewshire Council logo

Renfrewshire Council will have a virtual exhibition stand at the Meet the Buyer event. The stand will be open all day with its procurement team ready to talk with you about future contract opportunities. Renfrewshire Council will also be talking part in a live Q&A session on the Inclusive Growth stage at 2:20pm to answer questions on the Glasgow City Region City Deal: Clyde Waterfront and Renfrew Riverside Project.

Scottish Borders Council

Scottish Borders Council logo

Visit the Scottish Borders Council virtual exhibition stand to talk about future contract opportunities and where to find them. The Council is also one of the regional partners in the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal, so it might be a good idea to ask about contract opportunities from the deal in the Borders region. Additionally, be sure to ask about the upcoming Meet the Buyer South event on 23 November!

South Ayrshire Council

South Ayrshire Council logo

South Ayrshire Council wants to meet suppliers from South Ayrshire and across Scotland. Visit its exhibition stand to hear about future contract opportunities and where to find them.

For all Procurement requirements between £10,000 and £49,999, South Ayrshire Council’s Procurement team issues a Quick Quote tender document to selected suppliers.

When issuing Quick Quotes, South Ayrshire Council uses a standardised template as part of its procurement process.

The Council’s use of a standardised template poses many benefits for all suppliers involved in the Quick Quote process, including:

  • Once a supplier completes the Schedule 2 – Information Required from Service Providers section within the template, this can be saved and used for every Quick Quote submission thereafter, which will save the supplier time. This section contains various ‘Yes/No’ questions and basic company information which should not change for future submissions.
  • As the Council’s template document does not vary between Quick Quote requirements, this in turn means that each individual evaluation process follows the same format, ensuring that suppliers experience a consistent, fair and transparent process. The evaluation process is fully outlined within the opening Terms & Conditions section of the document.
  • The use of South Ayrshire Council’s standardised template, along with the fact all Quick Quotes are processed via a Procurement's centralised Quick Quote team, allows for a consistent, responsive and timeous procedure for all suppliers involved in the process. As a result, suppliers are able to bid for South Ayrshire Council’s requirements with confidence and if you have any queries, you know who to contact.

You can look at a previous blog from South Ayrshire Council on Quick Quotes and stop by the South Ayrshire Council exhibition to learn more!

Stirling Council

Stirling Council logo

Stirling Council will have a virtual exhibition stand at the event. If your business is based in Stirling, you should visit the exhibition stand to hear about future contract opportunities and where to find them. Additionally, be sure to ask about the upcoming Forth Valley Meet the Buyer event that will explore opportunities available through the Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Region Deal on 30 June!

West Dunbartonshire Council

West Dunbartonshire logo

West Dunbartonshire Council will be taking part in a presentation and live Q&A on the Inclusive Growth Stage. The Council will present a session about the Former Exxon Mobil Fuel Depot at Milton Development as part of the Glasgow City Region City Deal. Suppliers can also visit the virtual exhibition stand to hear how you can do business with the Council.

West Lothian Council

West Lothian Council logo

West Lothian Council Corporate Procurement Unit will be staffing its virtual exhibition stand. The council is wanting to engage with suppliers who are interested in working with them. Pop by the stand to talk about contract opportunities that would be suitable for your business.

Remember to learn how to optimise your time on the day of Meet the Buyer, and learn how the portal works on the SDP website.

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