Could your company be missing out on business from public bodies?

North Ayrshire Council alone buys good and services worth £120 million a year from the private sector. Add in East and South Ayrshire Councils, and a number of other public agencies and organisations, and you have a huge potential market for local SME's. The websites below are all free and should be of interest to any company seeking to do business with public bodies locally and nationally.

1. The Supplier Development Programme -
Along with the 3 Ayrshire Councils there are a total of 15 Local Authorities signed up to the SDP, which aim to assist businesses improve their performance in winning contracts with Scottish public sector organisations. The SDP also aims to promote the 'Suppliers’ Register' to procurement departments across Scotland as a valuable resource of suppliers. The Councils of North, South and East Ayrshire and Glasgow City have already agreed to use it when searching for companies to ask to bid for the three quotes system. The Register can also be used business to business, when looking at collaboration tendering. Registering will give access to all the information on the website, eligibility for events and you will automatically receive the quarterly newsletter.
- www.sdpscotland.co.uk

2. Public Contracts Scotland -
The Scottish Government's official national portal for public sector contract opportunities. This portal gives free access to contract opportunities in Scotland.
- www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk

3. CompeteFor -
CompeteFor is the chosen site of London 2012 for the publication of Games-related contract opportunities. It acts as a brokerage service between buyers throughout the London 2012 supply chain, and potential suppliers. CompeteFor also provides access to business support services; building skills and capacity to ensure that businesses across the UK can access opportunities linked to the hosting of the London 2012 Games.
- www.competefor.com

4. Ayrshire Business Connections -
A free website dedicated to establishing a localised business database providing company information in a user friendly format for browsers to search. The site provides accessible information that supports local companies, allowing information such as business leasds to be exchanged via notice boards.
- www.ayrshirebusiness.co.uk