NI Business Info website
The NI Business Info website offers practical guidance on tendering to both the public and private sectors. Look in the 'Sales and Marketing' and 'Grow your Business' sections to find relevant information.
In addition the Crown Commercial Service (GB) website offers information and advice on public procurement to prospective suppliers.
Training and support
InterTradeIreland offer practical advice and support to companies in targeting public sector contracts and cross-border opportunities. This includes training workshops focused on preparing competitive tenders, individual mentoring in tender preparation, and opportunities to meet buyers face to face at 'Meet the Buyer' events.
Invest NI offer training courses to local companies to help build your capability to deliver contracts, and have published two helpful guides for local business on their website - the ‘Build to Win’ publication will help you the process of deciding whether supplying to the public sector is right for your business; and the ‘Successful Tendering Guide: The Tender Process’ provides general guidance on tender submission that apply to the public and private sectors.
The Enterprise Europe Network Northern Ireland provides help on researching markets and identifying new customers in Europe.
The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) Northern Ireland organises an annual public procurement conference for suppliers, providing updates on procurement reforms and an opportunity to raise issues.
Many local councils in Northern Ireland offer tendering training programmes and workshops, or run 'Meet the Buyer' events to support their local businesses. Find your local council and join their mailing list, or connect via social media to hear about opportunities. Some local councils maintain supplier lists or databases, that you could join.
NetRegs is a partnership between the Northern Ireland Environment Agency and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency. The NetRegs website offers free environmental guidance for SMEs, including a helpful self-assessment tool to help a business check their compliance with the main pieces of environmental legislation, or start a programme of environmental improvement.