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SDP's SME Support Recognised in Scottish Government Action Plan

The Scottish Government has published its SME and Third Sector Procurement Action Plan, reiterating its ongoing commitment to work with the Supplier Development Programme (SDP) over the next financial year, on tendering training and events for SMEs.

In the plan, Scottish Government explains how it continues to part fund and support SDP, which delivers free procurement workshops and events (including Meet the Buyer shows) to Scottish SMEs that help them find and win public sector contracts.

The report said: “We part fund and support the Supplier Development Programme (SDP), an independent business initiative which delivers free training, online resources and guidance on how to prepare, submit and win public procurement bids.

“This includes training on tenders and bidding, using the national eCommerce solutions, and understanding frameworks, community benefits and sustainable procurement.”

SDP welcomes this continued collaboration with the Scottish Government and encourages all Scottish SMEs to take advantage of the free SDP events and tendering training on its website.

SDP Programme Manager, Gillian Cameron said:

“SDP bridges the gap between buyers and suppliers, highlighting the public sector contract opportunities out there, and giving suppliers the training they need to use PCS and PCS-T to bid for them.

“Working in partnership with Scottish Government, as well as all 32 of Scotland’s local authorities and other SDP members, the Programme helps suppliers connect with these buyers and grow their businesses.

“SDP gets local suppliers tender ready, and in doing so helps to diversify supply chains, build stronger regional economies, and link procurement training with Community Wealth Building.”

Suppliers can access free SDP events and tendering training by registering on the SDP website.

Register with SDP here