Public sector procurement process

[Dan@StackSoftware]

Quick bit of background, since I'm new here and this question may need a bit of context:

I run a software development company in the North West, very small team (myself, and occasionally bring contractors in) but we have some big systems that are 'live' that we maintain and further develop. A contract I have is due to end early next year. I've got enough work on to stay afloat until well into 2019 but sensible planning would have me looking elsewhere for further business too, in preparation.

A family friend works for the NHS and has pointed me towards the government contracts finder website (he is on the other end of it, seeking suppliers etc.). There seems to be a few relevant opportunities on there, and I'm quite excited about what I'm seeing.

So, I think I get the idea - there is a detailed procurement process in place for public sector buyers seeking suppliers, but can anybody shed any more light on it all? I'm interested in how competitive it is, are the inundated with bids? Or is it in fact relatively quiet? Or is this totally dependent on the opportunity? What should I keep in mind when pursuing some of these opportunities? I'm also interested, in the case of larger suppliers, in whether bidding and writing proposals for these would be a full-time role in itself. Am I biting off more than I can chew in attempting to compete here? I'm just generally in the dark with it but need some way of generating business and it seems like I could offer a lot to what is being posted there.

If anybody has any advice or experience to share regarding public sector procurement I'd really appreciate it.

Thanks!

 

[Mr D]

From the few occasions I've done bidding on public sector work the process (several years ago) required multiple bids (3 as a minimum for what we bid on, more commonly half dozen or more) all presented in sealed envelopes by the cut off time.
Scoring was rigged towards price with a modifier but a great service that was more expensive had a chance against a cheaper poorer quality service if the bid was good.

Some of the big names with a department just for bid applications applied even without a local place - they'd win then try and shoehorn the contract into a suitable cheap place.

Can be worth competing just for the experience, there are courses on bid writing and often consultants that can be used.
Very competitive, you don't want to talk about any one bid with anyone in case it gets back to competitors. I used to pick up so much information from council staff regarding bids... before submission.

Some contracts required the business to be accepted as a preferential supplier first - a process that merely did due diligence on the business itself rather than a bid. Ton of paperwork but relatively easy to pass with the correct proof. Policies, minutes etc.

If you have the time I'd say go for it.

 

[Dan@StackSoftware]

From the few occasions I've done bidding on public sector work the process (several years ago) required multiple bids (3 as a minimum for what we bid on, more commonly half dozen or more) all presented in sealed envelopes by the cut off time.
Scoring was rigged towards price with a modifier but a great service that was more expensive had a chance against a cheaper poorer quality service if the bid was good.

Some of the big names with a department just for bid applications applied even without a local place - they'd win then try and shoehorn the contract into a suitable cheap place.

Can be worth competing just for the experience, there are courses on bid writing and often consultants that can be used.
Very competitive, you don't want to talk about any one bid with anyone in case it gets back to competitors. I used to pick up so much information from council staff regarding bids... before submission.

Some contracts required the business to be accepted as a preferential supplier first - a process that merely did due diligence on the business itself rather than a bid. Ton of paperwork but relatively easy to pass with the correct proof. Policies, minutes etc.

If you have the time I'd say go for it.

Thank you very much, this is an excellent insight! Very helpful.

I hadn't considered a course, I'll have a look what's available.