Supplier Workshops

Are you interested in doing business with Durham County Council?

Do you want to learn more about the Council’s procurement process?

Would you like practical advice on getting shortlisted, bidding for tenders, and navigating the

e-tendering system?

Durham County Council’s Corporate Procurement team are holding a series of four workshops aimed atsuppliers, and potential suppliers, of goods, works or services to the Council.

These events are open to any organisation, including large, medium and small organisations from both private sector and third sector, who may be interested in doing business with the Council.The sessions are delivered directly by our procurement officers – and they are free to attend.

Friday 15th December 2017 – 10-4.30pm.

Or

Tuesday 30th January 2018 – 10-4.30pm.

Of interest to organisations of all sizes, sessions will look at:

Outline of Programme

  • The law and policy background to public procurement
  • Recent changes to UK public procurement regulations
  • How public sector procurement differs from private sector procurement
  • Durham County Council’s approach
  • Brexit - what are the implications of Britain’s exit from the EU?
  • Getting ready to bid
  • How to find out about opportunities – the NEPO Portal and Contracts Finder
  • Types of bidding organisation – including consortia, partnerships, and special purpose vehicles
  • What you might be asked about your financial standing, health & safety compliance, and other common issues
  • Dealing with sub-contractors
  • Quotation and Tender Procedures
  • Lower-value Quotations
  • Multiple supplier arrangements: Framework Agreements and Dynamic Purchasing Systems
  • Pre-Qualification Questionnaires (PQQs) in the Public Contracts Regulations 2015
  • The Invitation To Tender (ITT)
  • Tips on completing the PQQ and ITT – how to write an effective bid
  • How quality is evaluated
  • How prices are evaluated
  • Common mistakes – and how to avoid them!
  • Sustainable Procurement and Social Value
  • Durham County Council’s approach to sustainable procurement
  • The Public Services (Social Value) Act
  • Responding to innovative business models
  • How an organisation can become more sustainable
  • Answering sustainability / social value questions in the tender process.

Each of the sessions will include group work activity and discussion aimed at reinforcing your understanding.

There will also be a question and answer session at the end of each workshop.

How to Register

For further details, and to register, please contact:

Katie King – Corporate Procurement Officer

T: 03000 264 430

Email:

If emailing to register, please include your name, the name of your company or organisation, and a contact telephone number.