Latest news  The Meet the Buyer North 2020: Live Virtual Event was a smash success last week, so thank you to all that participated! Headline figures showed that there were 1,606 registrations in total, and 825 actual attendees on the day, which was made up of 684 suppliers (from 590 unique businesses) and 141 buyers/exhibiting staff. Through the 1-2-1 exhibitor meetings on the portal, we collectively achieved 11,000 minutes of interaction. If you participated in the virtual event, SDP encourages you to fill in the post-event supplier survey, as your feedback is invaluable! Attendees are also able to download the brochures from exhibitors by visiting the Event Bookings section from your main account page on the SDP website. Films from the virtual event will be added to the SDP YouTube Channel soon.
What's next?The Supplier Development Programme has a jam-packed Autumn planned with online tender training webinars, as well as opportunities to directly engage with buyers during Talking Tenders with NEPO tomorrow, 8 September and Talking Tenders with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) on 13 October. You can also "Remember, Remember" to save the date for Fife Council's Meet the Buyer event on 5 November, which is part of planned activities during Fife Business Week. As the SDP Team continues to work remotely, please email info@sdpscotland.co.uk with any queries to ensure that you get the quickest response. | |
 Micro, small and medium sized businesses across Scotland can register now for upcoming opportunities with the Supplier Development Programme! Quick Quotes Made EasyDuring this webinar, we will focus on the Quick Quote functionality within PCS, and provide an overview of PCS for those new to electronic tendering. Learn about Quick Quotes, Public Contract Scotland, filling in your Supplier Finder profile, all about what a postbox is, and processes and procedures for low value contracts. What do you say about it?Don't just take our word for it: suppliers who have previously attended this webinar have lots of good things to say! "The explanation of every aspect of the quick quote process from the trainer made it easy to pick up." "I enjoyed learning about the financial thresholds at which different processes are used for procurement (3k, 50k)." "It was useful physically seeing screen shots of what a quick quote and subsequent steps would look like." "I liked the questions and answers session." Register for Upcoming Webinars  Improving Your Bid ScoreGetting the highest possible score in your bid is essential to winning a contract, but it can be difficult to know what exactly the buyer is looking for. This workshop will provide an insight into buyers’ needs and expectations and ensure you’re winning points. Topics covered by SDP's expert trainers include understanding the client, finding information (including Freedom of Information requests), asking questions, bid writing skills, pricing your bid, exploring Award Criteria and Weightings, Quality versus Cost and top tips on writing a winning bid. What do you say about it?Suppliers who have previously attended this webinar said: "The 'Bid/No Bid' checklist was really helpful." "The most useful tip was about looking through the buyer's list so that you have a procurement contact,so that you can be proactive about what work may become available by getting in touch with them." "Really enjoyed all of the course. Gave me some good tips for improving my tender bid." Register for Upcoming Webinars More OpportunitiesKeep an eye on the SDP events calendar to book upcoming tender training currently delivered via webinar. We hope to see you soon! Back to top | |
 The Supplier Development Programme (SDP) has welcomed RJ McLeod as a corporate member in September 2020. RJ McLeod will now be able to utilise the Supplier Development Programme to alert the market of upcoming contract and framework opportunities to more than 16,800 registered micro, small, medium and supported businesses in Scotland. RJ McLeod is currently delivering several contracts for Glasgow City Council and is demonstrating its commitment to engagement with suppliers on potential supply chain opportunities by joining the Supplier Development Programme. The new membership agreement was signed just prior to the Meet the Buyer North 2020: Live Virtual Event on 2 September, which will allow RJ McLeod to engage with nearly 700 suppliers and advertise future supply chain opportunities in civil engineering and building in Scotland. Gillian Cameron, Supplier Development Programme Manager, said: “Sole traders and small businesses often look for work within a supply chain, but don’t necessarily know where to begin. The Supplier Development Programme is delighted to welcome RJ McLeod as a corporate member to provide a joined up link for suppliers and improve their tendering skills to engage with the wider public sector.” Christina McKitrick, RJ McLeod’s CSR Manager, said: “We’re delighted to engage with the Supplier Development Programme to facilitate RJ McLeod’s commitment to involve SMEs, third sector and supported businesses as part of our sustainable procurement process.” For more information on RJ McLeod, visit www.rjmcleod.co.uk, and keep an eye on the SDP training and events calendar for upcoming opportunities to engage with SDP's newest Corporate Member. Back to top | |
 Partnership for Procurement (P4P) and Social Enterprise Network Scotland, in partnership with Morrison Construction, will hold a Building an Inclusive Supply Chain Online Event this Thursday, 10 September. If you're from a supported business or social enterprise in Scotland, you shouldn't miss this event! On the day, you will have the opportunity to hear from senior buyers in Morrison Construction on how Scotland’s social enterprise can contribute to building an inclusive supply chain as well as hear from Community Focus Scotland’s on their recent success; qualifying to become part of Morrison Construction’s trusted supply chain. Morrison Construction’s business pipeline is committed to creating successful relationships with local business, providing economic benefit to the community and providing opportunities to social enterprise to help deliver its programme. Gillian Cameron, SDP Programme Manager, will speak about Connecting SMEs and Supported Businesses with Supply Chain Opportunities and other speakers include Eddie Robertson and Jim Johnston from Morrison Construction, Annette Toner from Community Focus Scotland and Neil Young from P4P. You can view the full agenda on the SDP website and register to attend for free. Back to top | |
 The Construction Industry Coronavirus (CICV) Forum is launching a series of free advice webinars to help industry professionals improve their contractual and commercial awareness on construction projects. Hosted by industry experts, and running fortnightly from September to November 2020, the online discussions are aimed at employers, contract and commercial managers, architects, quantity surveyors and project managers. The new webinars follow four CICV Forum online events previously held in May and June, covering a range of subjects including health and safety, cash flow, contract issues and employment matters. The Supplier Development Programme is part of the CICV Forum and encourages Scottish SMEs in the construction industry to attend these free external webinar events. You can view a full list of online events on the SDP website. Back to top | |
 P4H Scotland Engage 2020 is a procurement event for health that is officially supported by NHS Scotland to be held on Monday, 14 September. The P4H Scotland Engage 2020 online event will provide a unique opportunity for Scotland’s NHS buyer and supplier community to connect within a live, innovative online and fully interactive environment, designed to engage all participants across a range of networking and educational features that include: - Live Keynote Arena
- Product Showcase Exhibition
- Skills Development Zones
- Networking & Collaboration Zones
The Supplier Development Programme will host a virtual exhibition at P4H Scotland and attendees are welcome to engage with the Team at this online event to learn how you can find, win and keep public sector contracts in the health sector. You can discover how your organisation can benefit from participation within P4H Scotland Engage 2020 as a live, digital, interactive online exhibition experience. For more information, view the event on the SDP website, where you can view links to download the pre-event planner and book a complimentary ticket. We hope to "see" you at P4H Scotland next week! Back to top | |
 The Scottish Procurement Alliance (SPA) is re-tendering four of its frameworks – Schools and Community Buildings, Doors, Roofing, and Modular Buildings – and the tenders will be live from mid-September to early October, dependent on the framework. If you are interested in applying for these opportunities, register for updates on the tenders via ProContract, or follow the SPA on Twitter. Back to top | |
 | 1.2 Using PCS and other portals - WEBINAR Tuesday 8 September 2020, 10.00-11:30am Webinar Learn how to make the most of Public Contracts Scotland (PCS) and other e-tendering systems at this introductory workshop. |  | Talking Tenders with NEPO Tuesday 8 September 2020, 2.00-3:00pm Webinar • Partner Event Join us to hear experts from North East Procurement Organisation (NEPO) talk about the 70 framework agreements that you could bid to deliver – including professional & corporate services, construction and many more |  | Quick Quotes made easy - WEBINAR Wednesday 9 September 2020, 2.00-3:30pm Webinar Quick Quote is an online quotation facility within Public Contracts Scotland (PCS), that enables buyers to request competitive quotes electronically for low value purchases. Join our webinar to find how you can increase your chances of being invited to Quote. |  | P4P's Building an Inclusive Supply Chain Online Event Thursday 10 September 2020, 1.30-3:15pm External Event Partnership for Procurement (P4P) and Social Enterprise Network Scotland, in partnership with Morrison Construction, will hold a Building an Inclusive Supply Chain Online Event on 10 September. |  | 2.3. Improving Your Bid Score Thursday 10 September 2020, 3.30-5:00pm Webinar • SDP Event This Level 2 (Intermediate) workshop will help you get the highest possible score in your tender bid |  | P4H Scotland 2020 Monday 14 September 2020, 8.30am-4:00pm External Event P4H Scotland is a public healthcare procurement event, that brings together more than 600 key decision makers from across Scotland’s £2.3bn NHS procurement marketplace. |  | Construction Industry Coronavirus (CICV) Forum Webinar Tuesday 15 September 2020, 11.00am-12:00pm Webinar • External Event The Construction Industry Coronavirus (CICV) Forum is holding a series of free advice webinars to help industry professionals improve their contractual and commercial awareness on construction projects. |  | Helping you Bid Better; examine the ESPD question by question - WEBINAR Tuesday 15 September 2020, 2.00-3:30pm Webinar This course will look at the questions within the ESPD document – to help you to understand what information is required. |  | Using PCS and PCS-T for Early Learning and Childcare Providers - Renfrewshire Council Wednesday 16 September 2020, 6.30-8:30pm Webinar This webinar is ideal for Early Learning and Childcare Services contractors preparing to bid for Renfrewshire Council's Early Learning and Childcare tender opportunity. Attending this training session will ensure that you’re familiar and comfortable using PCS and PCS-Tender. |  | Falkirk Council Procurement Clinics Wednesday 23 September 2020, 9.30am-12:00pm Partner Event Falkirk Council provides extensive support to local suppliers through Procurement Clinics. Local suppliers are invited to attend clinic appointments lasting 30 minutes |
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Has your SME business won a contract after participating in SDP training? Would you like to share your success story? The SDP Team is looking to tell your story! Contact info@sdpscotland.co.uk, and your business could be SDP’s featured business of the month. You can also check out other case studies on the SDP website. Back to top |
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Supplier Development Programme
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