Public Procurement and Property

Meet the Buyer 2019

November 19, 2019 by Eddie Chapman No Comments | Category Best practice, buyers, Meet the Buyer, Procurement news, SMEs, Supplier Development Programme, suppliers, survey

Around 1100 SMEs and third sector suppliers from across Scotland attended the Supplier Development Programme Scotland’s (SDP) annual Meet the Buyer event at Hampden Stadium on Wednesday 13 November.

With 74 public sector exhibitors and business support services in attendance, this was an excellent opportunity for suppliers to hear about future opportunities and build their skills in tendering for public contracts. The event is also a chance for those working in the public sector to learn more about the innovative approaches suppliers can offer.

The three exhibition halls were packed. Suppliers from across Scotland engaged with procurement teams from local authorities, NHS Boards, Scottish Government and a wide range of public organisations.

Key themes

Workshops had a focus on social value and community benefits. They included presentations from Scotland Excel, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Scottish Government Cyber Resilience and Sellafield Ltd. The following themes were common across each:

• Collaboration between buyers and suppliers – buyers want to understand the value suppliers can offer to ensure their contracts set realistic expectations.

• Best value doesn’t mean lowest price – the right solutions against budgets, quality, service, innovation and outcomes are all factors in public procurement.

• Social, environmental and economic value – public bodies are using their purchasing power to create jobs, tackle inequalities and build the economy.

Were you at Meet The Buyer?

Tell us about your experience. To help improve the event SDP is seeking feedback from delegates and exhibitors.

• Complete our short online survey

The next Meet the Buyer is scheduled for 2 June 2020. In the meantime, visit the SDP website to learn more about their free tender training and how they link public sector organisations with local suppliers.

Tags: buyers, Opportunities, SDP, SDP website, SMEs, Supplier Development Programme, Suppliers, training

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