Register for May’s free ‘Going Local 2018’ event and learn how to access public sector contract opportunities

Micro, small and medium sized businesses across East Devon are invited to attend a free event in Honiton later this month (May) where they can receive advice from wide range of public sector procurement specialists.

Going Local 2018 is being held at The Beehive in Honiton on Thursday 24 May from 10am to 1.30pm and is open to businesses who want to know about public sector contract opportunities.

Now in its 6th year, the event is being hosted by East Devon District Council on behalf of the Devon and Cornwall Procurement Partnership which is a collaborative group representing public organisations across Devon and Cornwall.

The event is free and will provide businesses with the opportunity to:

• Learn how to access opportunities to bid for public sector contracts.
• Attend seminars given by expert speakers from a range of sectors and disciplines.
• Understand how to use the online ‘ProContract’ procurement portal at https://www.supplyingthesouthwest.org.uk

Authorities and organisations attending include East Devon, Teignbridge and Mid Devon District Councils, Devon County Council, Plymouth City and Torbay Councils, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Authority, Devon and Cornwall Police Authority and Devon and Somerset Trading Standards.

Advice and guidance given during the day will be tailored around essential information for start-ups, preparing to engage with the public sector and the process, tender documentation and contracts.

Advisors will be on hand to help register your business on the portal so you can receive updates on all contracts offered. Two 45 minute seminars will be presented on the day with an 11am presentation about IT Security and the upcoming General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and a session called ‘Competition & Markets Authority: Cartels what are they?’ at 12 noon.

Cllr Graham Godbeer, procurement champion for East Devon District Council said: “Supplying the council with goods and services is a great opportunity for small businesses to boost their income and registering on the portal is the best way to find out about new tenders and submit a quote. I would encourage new and existing suppliers to discover more and have your questions answered by attending the event.”

For further information and to register to attend this event, please email Going Local 18 at goinglocal-mailbox@devon.gov.uk