Local Suppliers Invited To Public Tendering Information Event

31st August 2009

The Highland Council is encouraging local suppliers to come along to the first three of a series of ten procurement road shows.

Entitled 'Submission Impossible?', the events are aimed at helping local suppliers to develop their skills in tendering for public sector contracts, and form part of the Council's response to the economic downturn.

More and more Scottish businesses are enjoying success tendering for public contracts and this free series of road shows is touring the Highlands to let suppliers know how they can participate.

The first three events will run in Thurso, Wick and Golspie on the 8th, 9th and 10th of September. Each drop in session will run from 3pm until 8pm. Various procurement staff representing The Highland Council, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Northern Constabulary, Highlands and Islands Fire and Rescue, and NHS Highland will be available to chat with suppliers. They will be available to answer queries and provide guidance on current procurement legislation along with staff from Enterprise Europe Scotland, and the Scottish Government's Public Contracts Scotland advertising portal.

During the sessions a series of six ten-minute presentations will be delivered covering topics such as: where to find public sector contracts; pre-qualification and tender evaluation processes; e-tendering; business continuity planning and top tips for tendering. The presentations will run at 3.30pm, and again at 6pm

Sessions are also planned for Lochaber, Skye, and Wester Ross in October, and Inverness, Nairn, Easter Ross and Badenoch and Strathspey in November.

Councillor Carolyn Wilson, Chair of The Highland Council's Resources Committee said: "This is a great opportunity for local suppliers who are interested in doing business with the Council. Not only will there be Council staff on hand to explain public tendering processes, staff from other public agencies will also be there to help. I am delighted that such a wide range of public bodies will be representative at the Submission Impossible events."

Tea, coffee and biscuits will be available, along with information packs for suppliers.

Submission Impossible will be at the Pentland Hotel, Thurso on Tuesday 8th September; Caithness General Hospital, Wick on Wednesday 9th September; and the Sutherland Arms Hotel, Golspie on Thursday 10th September from 3pm to 8pm. Local suppliers and businesses are welcome to drop in for as much or as little time as required.