The Supplier's Guide to Public Procurement
This practical two-hour course provides tenderers with a clear understanding of how public procurement competitions operate and what contracting authorities expect from a tender submission. Participants will learn how to identify suitable opportunities, interpret tender documentation and understand the key stages of the procurement process. The course explains selection and award criteria, mandatory requirements, pricing schedules and the importance of submitting clear, relevant and evidence-based responses. It also highlights common mistakes that can result in lost marks or tender disqualification and provides practical guidance on improving the quality of submissions. Participants will gain greater confidence in preparing compliant and competitive tenders and will have an opportunity to ask questions throughout the session.
What's covered
How public procurement works
- ✓How public procurement competitions operate
- ✓The key stages of the procurement process
- ✓What contracting authorities expect from a tender submission
Finding and reading the opportunity
- ✓Identifying suitable opportunities
- ✓Interpreting tender documentation
What your submission is judged on
- ✓Selection and award criteria
- ✓Mandatory requirements
- ✓Pricing schedules
Preparing a stronger submission
- ✓Submitting clear, relevant and evidence-based responses
- ✓Common mistakes that cost marks or lead to disqualification
- ✓Practical ways to improve the quality of submissions
- ✓Questions and discussion throughout the session
What you'll take away
- ✓Judge whether a public procurement opportunity is suitable before committing to it
- ✓Interpret a tender document and understand what a contracting authority is asking for
- ✓Tell mandatory requirements apart from what is scored, and price accordingly
- ✓Produce clear, evidence-based responses that avoid the mistakes costing marks
Who it's for
Tenderers preparing submissions for public procurement competitions, including those new to public sector tendering.
Before you register
- ✓If you can't attend, a colleague can take your place — let us know in advance and we'll update the registration.
- ✓Cancel at least 24 hours before the session and you'll receive a full refund. Cancellations inside 24 hours aren't refunded, though a colleague is welcome to take the place instead.
- ✓Where a course runs over two sessions, one registration covers both and the full fee applies — attending only one session doesn't reduce it.
- ✓A certificate of attendance is available on request.
Questions about a booking? Get in touch.