15/09/2016

BCC Announces SME Information Event On Public Sector Tendering Process

Belfast City Council (BCC) has announced an event at the City Hall to help small and micro-enterprises (SMEs) prepare for tender bids for contracts in the public sector.

To be held at the Reception Room, the free information seminar and awareness event on Wednesday 05 October will allow attendees to find out about the council's new Successful Tendering Programme, which will run from October 2016 until May 2017.

The programme is open to Belfast-based businesses with less than 50 employees and will feature tailored workshops and one-to-one mentoring support to help companies understand the tendering process, as well as guidance from experts on writing a winning bid.

Launching the programme along with delivery agent Core Consulting, Councillor Aileen Graham, Chair of the council's City Growth and Regeneration Committee, said: "The Successful Tendering programme is a very important one for SMEs in the city interested in selling their services or products to the public sector but unsure about the tendering process and need help with putting together an effective bid and tendering successfully for a contract.

"It links with the council's goal of increasing local procurement spend and supporting growth in key sectors. I would encourage eligible businesses in the city interested in developing or building on skills to tender effectively for contracts within the public sector, to come down to City Hall on 5 October to find out more and sign up for the programme."

Attendees to the event will also hear from a real buyer, Belfast City Council's Procurement Department, with advice given on starting out on the tendering journey. They will hear about the Successful Tendering Programme and how the Council can support local companies going forward.

(MH/JP)

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