Compete North East Finding and Winning New Opportunities Paul Taylor Head of Business Engagement

Compete North East Compete North East was created two years ago to help North East businesses identify and WIN publicly procured business opportunities. We used the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympic Games as a starting point for the service and in addition we now focus on other national and regional opportunities. Compete North East is a service delivered by the Business & Enterprise Group. Our aim is to help businesses identify and overcome the barriers which prevent them from tendering for publicly and privately procured contracts in and outside the region through offering a range of services. We work closely with NEPO / Local Authorities to assist businesses improve their expertise in procurement to help more businesses to bid successfully.

The Market £103bn spent nationally by local authorities, schools and the NHS £3.5bn spent in North East by public sector on goods and services £1.5bn is spent directly with North East suppliers

New Opportunities Organisational Change – expertise required Uncertainty – flexibility, responsiveness, innovation Budgets - Price & Value for Money Environmental Objectives - carbon footprints & savings Economic Imperatives – support the local economy ‘Community’ Benefit – support the local community Strategic Budget Management – ourselves, partner, outsource?

Setting Your Radar

“Follow the Money” £10k-£50k to £10k £50k-£140k Full Format Tender 3 minimum Quotation 3 minimum Quotation 1 minimum Team/Individual Department Organisation OJEU ‘Above Threshold’ c.£140k Spend over £20,000 usually advertised

I am special Direct Contract I am the key Subcontractor I can find the key Collaborate I can sell into other suppliers in this market Supplier Work the Options

Make it Happen Plan, Anticipate & Innovate Build relationships & Networks Think ahead & innovate new approaches Never hear yourself say “there isn’t time to respond” Don’t Wait Scan the Websites Search out contracts registers Build Relationships Use your Radar

Where to find Opportunities National Regional

Top Tips for Tendering Identify tender opportunities and be realistic. Be prepared (have all necessary information available). Express an interest (EOI) and (PQQ). Read all of the tender documentation in full. Establish the fit with your business and strategy. Attend contractor / supplier information events. Respond fully to all elements of the tender. Use any templates provided by the client. Submit your tender on time.

Contacts at Compete North East Paul Taylor Tel No Edward Bewick Tel No – Laura Kennedy Tel No