It’s essential that we keep as much work as possible in Argyll & Bute and the council is holding what they have called procurement surgeries to assist local businesses. The press release about these that came out yesterday is shown below. Please pass on to as many local businesses as possible.
Council is keeping local contractors informed of new opportunities
Argyll and Bute Council is doing its best to keep local contractors informed of opportunities available to them when tendering for contracts for council services.
The council already awards a greater percentage of work to local suppliers than the average for Scottish local authorities. Last year 34% of council contracts were awarded to suppliers in Argyll and Bute.
Now it is hoped to increase this percentage during 2016 with a series of information events aimed at informing local contractors about a new approach the council has launched of tendering for capital works contracts with estimated individual values between £25,000 and a new upper limit of £500,000.
The type of contracts vary in cost and size, and may include re-roofing, fire alarm installations and upgrades and replacements of heating systems, refurbishment of buildings, electrical works, coastal protection and bridge strengthening, parking machines installation and traffic management works.
These surgeries will provide an opportunity for local suppliers to meet with procurement staff to hear about the council’s new procurement procedures, find out more about forthcoming contract opportunities and learn about the support available via the Supplier Development Programme.
The council’s Policy Lead for Customer and Support Services, Councillor Dick Walsh, said, “The council’s singe outcome agreement supports a diverse and thriving economy and this new approach gives local contractors a real opportunity to bid for work. Everything is to benefit them, get them involved and make them aware of changes in tendering requirements.
“These events will provide a great opportunity to come along and meet the council’s buyers for these works contracts and find out more about the new approach to their procurement.
“I would urge any contractors interested in tendering for these types of contracts to come to one of these events. It could only be beneficial in the long run
“While EU procurement rules mean we are unable to discriminate in favour of local suppliers, the council is committed to making sure that local businesses are aware of the opportunities and can access support to help them tender successfully.”
Individual appointments will also be available with council officers and any contractor interested in bidding for contracts is urged to make an appointment.
The surgeries will be held in Lochgilphead on 27th Jan, Dunoon on 3rd Feb, Oban on 16th Feb, Rothesay on 3rd March, Campbeltown on 23rd March and Helensburgh on 30th March 2016.
Notes
The surgeries will take place from 10.30am –12.30pm at each location. To make an appointment please contact Gillian Allenby, Procurement Analyst, at least seven days prior to the date of the event you are interested in either by email to procurement@argyll-bute.gov.uk; or telephone 01700 501 358. Please provide your contact details, which event you would like to attend, the nature of your business and any topics you would like to discuss to allow the buyers to prepare in advance and make best use of the time available.