Tendering for Government Contracts

Tendering for Government Contracts

The public sector spends a huge amount each year and is always looking for new suppliers. However small your business, there are always opportunities to supply this market. Even if you are already supplying one part of the public sector, it is worth looking for opportunities in other areas.

If you work in a small business, this guide aims to help you in three ways.

Firstly, it will tell you about where to find opportunities within the public sector.

Secondly, it will explain how you can bid for work.

Thirdly, it will advise you on the further contacts you may need to make.

The Small Business Service (SBS) and the Office of Government Commerce (OGC) have produced this guide jointly. The SBS is an Executive Agency of the Department of Trade and Industry, and was set up in April 2000 with the aim of making the UK the best place in the world to set up and run a business. They are dedicated to helping small firms and representing their interests. The OGC is an Office of HM Treasury, and was also set up in April 2000 with the aim of improving the Government's commercial performance. One of OGC's main objectives is to achieve effective competition for government business by simplifying access to the government market place. The aims of SBS and OGC overlap in this area. We both let the small business community know where to find government opportunities, and make sure that small businesses receive equal treatment when competing for contracts.