Win More Business! Public sector contract opportunities, £3,000 and over

9th October 2009

The Highland Council is encouraging local suppliers to come along to the first three of a series of 10 Procurement road shows. Entitled "Win More Business!" the events are aimed at helping local suppliers to develop their skills in tendering for public sector contracts.

More Scottish businesses are enjoying success tendering for public contracts and this free series of road shows is touring the Highlands to let them know how to join in.

The next three events will run in Fort William, Portree and Gairloch on the 13th, 14th and 15th of October respectively. Each drop in session will run from 2pm until 7pm. Various procurement staff representing The Highland Council, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Northern Constabulary, and Highlands and Islands Fire and Rescue will be available to chat with suppliers, 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-procurement rules, and top tips for tendering. The presentations will run at 3pm, and again at 6pm

Further sessions are also planned for Inverness, Nairn, Easter Ross and Badenoch and Strathspey in November.

Councillor Carolyn Wilson, Chair of The Highland Council's Resources Committee said: "Members have long been aware of the continuing need to improve relationships and understanding between the public sector and local businesses in relation to contracting opportunities. This is the second time the Council has undertaken such events with that need in mind. Members support these events wholeheartedly, and we would encourage all local businesses with an interest in doing business with the Council to drop in for as long as they wish. We are also delighted to be working in partnership with such a wide range of bodies."

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

The events will be held as follows between 2pm and 7pm and local suppliers/businesses are welcome to drop in for as much or as little as they like.

The dates, time and venues of the "Win More Business" events are:

· Fort William: Tuesday 13th October, 2-7pm Council Chambers, Lochaber House, High Street;

· Portree: Wednesday 14th October, 2-7pm, Skye & Wester Ross College , Portree Learning Centre, Àrainn Fhinn, Portree High School; and

· Gairloch: Thursday 15th October, 2-7pm, Community Centre (main hall).