How to guides for tender applications

Go4Growth is a business support service dedicated to helping smaller organisations build the skills and confidence to secure public sector contracts. The PSSR accreditation acts as an industry benchmark, demonstrating that a business meets the necessary standards, making public sector contracts more accessible to smaller businesses and voluntary organisations.

To achieve the accreditation, you will begin by completing an extract of the Standard Selection Questionnaire (SSQ), commonly used in public procurement bids. You’ll then progress through two simple stages, designed to assess the essential building blocks required to credibly participate. This process allows your organisation to demonstrate it has the tools, knowledge, and understanding needed to succeed in the public sector.

The “Finding Opportunities in the Public Sector” webinar provided insights into how businesses can access public sector contracts. Many participants were new to the sector, with some having tried but been unsuccessful. The session emphasized that this is a common experience, and Go4Growth is available to help.

The UK government has set a goal to allocate 33% of public spending to SMEs, recognizing the importance of local suppliers and social impact. The new Procurement Act 2023 aims to make it easier for small businesses to participate by reducing upfront barriers, such as insurance and certification requirements. Public sector contracts, valued at around £300 billion annually, offer opportunities for businesses of all sizes, whether directly or through supply chains.

The procurement process includes early market engagement and formal tender stages, where businesses must respond to detailed selection criteria. Go for Growth provides resources to support businesses through each step, helping them understand requirements and improve their chances of success. The public sector is focusing on building resilience and supporting local economies, making it an ideal market for small and growing businesses.

This short course is designed to support your business in navigating public sector bidding by breaking down the bid process, helping you to identify and prepare future bids for your organisation.

We will explore the opportunity at hand, tender documents, writing your bid and common pitfalls.

This short course will give you, as a business or voluntary/third sector organisation an overview of what social value is, examples of social value and an understanding of how Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council measure social value within a tender process.

The course will highlight the social value model that public procurement teams are encouraged to work against and will show you how to tailor your offer to local landscapes.

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In this document from Go4Growth, Learn how to boost your business profile with real customer reviews, positive staff feedback, and community involvement. Create a standout company culture, build a strong online presence, and stay consistent in your customer interactions. Handle negative feedback quickly to turn it into a positive. Master these strategies to help your business thrive!

In this video, Go4Growth explore essential questions to consider when integrating accreditations into your operations.

Learn how to identify necessary compliance measures, select certifications that distinguish you in a crowded market, and use accreditations as a tool to communicate your commitment to quality and safety.

Hear from industry experts as they share real-life examples, like the impact of early adoption of health and safety standards in enhancing business credibility.

Plus, get insights into navigating the accreditation landscape, including the latest trends such as cyber essentials and B Corp status. This is your guide to leveraging accreditations for growth and competitive advantage.

Watch now to transform your business’s approach to accreditation and stand out in your sector!

Discover the secret to standing out in today’s competitive market with Go4Growth in their latest video on building credibility!

Explore expert insights from Duncan and Julie as they delve into how businesses can differentiate themselves and influence procurement decisions. Learn how crafting compelling case studies and securing valuable testimonials can enhance your reputation and provide proof of your successes. Whether you’re a small enterprise or a public sector organization, uncover practical strategies for leveraging your track record and showcasing your unique value. Plus, gain tips on navigating financial credibility and utilizing awards to bolster your credibility.

Discover expert tips from Go4Growth on creating opportunities and building effective relationships with local authorities. Ian breaks down essential strategies, including how to research contract registers, identify key decision-makers, and time your approach for maximum impact. Learn how to streamline your outreach and ensure your pitch lands with the right person at the right time. With actionable advice on navigating procurement cycles and crafting clear, compelling communications, this video is your gateway to smarter, more strategic supplier interactions.

This video from Go4Growth  offers valuable tips on navigating e-procurement portals, understanding market-specific opportunities, and maximizing your engagement with public sector buyers. Don’t miss out—watch now to stay ahead in the evolving world of procurement!

With Go4Growth Discover how to effortlessly tailor your search criteria by location, opportunity type, and industry to receive timely updates on relevant contracts. We guide you through the advanced search options, including refining your results by notice type and suitability, and even filtering by CPV codes for precise industry targeting. With our step-by-step instructions, you’ll learn how to save your search preferences and set up automatic email alerts. Say goodbye to manual searching and stay ahead of the game with just a few clicks! Watch now to transform your contract search experience and ensure you never miss a vital opportunity again.

Join industry experts Gillian Askew, Co-Founder of Go4Growth, and Ian Westlake, Head of Procurement for Bradford Council, as they guide you through the intricacies of tapping into a £300bn market. Discover how to align with the Government’s mandate to allocate 33% of spend to SMEs and achieve social value.

Explore practical strategies for finding live opportunities, utilising search engines, and attending key events. Gain insights into building resilient relationships and understanding procurement processes. Learn about effective ways to approach public sector contracts and enhance your organisation’s visibility.

With government mandates to channel 33% of public spending to SMEs and a stable market valued at £300bn annually, this session is crucial for businesses looking to expand their reach and resilience.

Hear from experts Gillian Askew, Co-Founder of Go4Growth, and Ian Westlake, Head of Procurement for Bradford Council. They will guide you through identifying live opportunities, navigating key portals, and leveraging social value for a competitive edge.

Explore strategies to find tenders, engage effectively, and develop local economies. Don’t miss out on practical advice to enhance your business’s presence in the public sector and build valuable connections. Register now and transform your approach to public sector growth.

This Example Form of Contract from Go4Growth  outlines the key terms and conditions for a service contract between a Contracting Authority  and you the Provider.

Additional sections address compliance, fraud prevention, equality, and dispute resolution. The contract is governed by applicable laws and includes provisions for variations, notices, and the management of conflicts of interest.

This overview from Go4Growth  outlines key contractual obligations typically encountered in agreements, such as payment, delivery, and quality standards. It explains various types of breaches—material, fundamental, anticipatory, and minor—and their implications. The content also addresses the necessary steps to establish a breach of contract, including proving the contract’s existence, the breach, resulting losses, and the defendant’s responsibility.

In this insightful video from Go4Growth, explore the evolving landscape of public procurement and the shift towards value-driven approaches. Post-Brexit, new regulations are set to emphasise social value and sustainability alongside cost considerations. The upcoming white paper will outline how public procurement must integrate social outcomes, such as job creation and environmental impact, into decision-making processes. Small businesses should prepare for increased focus on social and economic value, alongside traditional cost factors. Discover how planned procurements will be published up to five years in advance, providing opportunities for businesses to align with future projects. The video also highlights the need for a unified system to simplify access to procurement opportunities and promote supplier diversity and resilience.

This short course from Go4Growth  will give you, as a business or voluntary/third sector organisation an overview of what social value is, how your organisation can demonstrate social value, key legislation and why social value is important.

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Delivered by Go4Growth, unlock the potential of procurement by addressing barriers for SMEs and VCSEs. Start by assessing your current spend with these entities and highlight the community benefits of procurement in your reports and communications. Engage stakeholders early and formalise your commitment to making procurement accessible.

By implementing these strategies, you’ll see improved responses and increased business awarded to smaller organisations. For additional support, explore available resources and get in touch to discuss further marketplace development.

This short course from Go4Growth will give you, as a business or voluntary/third sector organisation an overview of what social value is, examples of social value and an understanding of how YPO measure social value within a tender process.

The course will highlight the social value model that public procurement teams are encouraged to work against and will show you how to tailor your offer to local landscapes.

This comprehensive guide from Go4Growth is designed for both buyers and suppliers involved in joint or consortium bidding. Structured into 18 chapters, it provides a practical toolkit for each stage of the bidding cycle, from planning to submission. The guide addresses the needs of both the procurement side and consortium leaders, offering insights into policies, market scanning, opportunity assessment, consortium configuration, and risk management. Key chapters include preparation strategies, governance and compliance, pricing, and final submission. It aims to enhance understanding and effectiveness in joint bidding by detailing processes, practices, and collaboration techniques. Note that while the guide is a valuable resource, it does not replace legal advice, and readers should consult independent experts for specific legal guidance.

Hosted by Go4Growth, this webinar is designed to unpack the key changes and implications of the new legislation. With a focus on supporting SMEs in the public sector, we’ll dive into three major updates: simplified bidding processes, enhanced transparency, and the shift from MEAT to MAT criteria.

Jillian will guide us through these changes, exploring how the reduction in procurement procedures and increased notice obligations affect both providers and procurement professionals. We’ll also address real-world feedback from the provider market and offer actionable recommendations.

Read the latest from Go4Growth on the Procurement Act 2023!

Go4Growth will explore significant updates, including simplified bidding processes, enhanced transparency, and the transition from MEAT (Most Economically Advantageous Tender) to MAT (Most Advantageous Tender). We’ll examine how these changes impact the provider market, with a focus on increased competition and longer relationship terms.

We’ll also address feedback from SMEs on challenges and support, and offer practical recommendations for both providers and the public sector. Additionally, we’ll highlight our free support resources, including personalized coaching and the Public Sector Supply Ready (PSSR) status.

This session is being recorded, and slides will be sent to all registered attendees. Engage with us through the chat and Q&A functions as we navigate the new procurement landscape together.

The Procurement Act 2023 guidance documents from Go4Growth  provide essential information for understanding and navigating the updated public procurement landscape.

Gain insights into statutory requirements and practical procedures, including how to align procurement with broader social and environmental goals, define covered procurement thresholds, and reserve contracts for supported employment providers.

They clarify which entities are considered contracting authorities, outline the need for pipeline notices, and detail transitional arrangements from previous regulations. Additionally, they explain the rules for concession contracts, light touch contracts for specific services, and procurement in defence and security sectors. These documents are crucial for ensuring compliance, maximizing procurement effectiveness, and leveraging new opportunities in the evolving regulatory environment.

Welcome to this short course introducing The Procurement Act 2023. This course is designed to provide an overview of the Act including key changes, the impact on Suppliers and strategies for SMEs.