Upcoming Tender Training Opportunities for Local Suppliers
Do you know local businesses or social enterprises that could fulfil some of the contract opportunities below? Can you think of suppliers who could benefit from our free tender training? Please share these upcoming webinars with your network, supply chain, and local suppliers:
Inverclyde Meet the Buyer
Tuesday 25 August 2026, 9:30am-12:30pm
SDP Event
Inverclyde Council, in partnership with Supplier Development Programme, invite local businesses and third sector organisations to a Meet the Buyer event, on Tuesday 25 August 2026, at the Beacon Arts Centre.
2.3 Understanding and Bidding - Frameworks and Dynamic Purchasing Systems (DPS)
Tuesday 25 August 2026, 10:30am-12:00pm
Webinar
New Frameworks are an integral part of public procurement and can be a lucrative source of business, but it’s essential to understand the Agreement. This workshop explains the types of frameworks available and what you can expect from them.
Buyer Webinar with Government Commercial Agency: Transport Technology Agreement
Traffic Technology and Enforcement: Streamlining Infringement Management Across the Scottish Public Sector
Thursday 27 August 2026, 2:00-3:30pm
Webinar - Buyer Event
As councils race to meet strict national road safety targets, modernising enforcement infrastructure is no longer optional—it is critical. To hear directly from colleagues within GCA, please join this webinar as we discuss the Transport Technology Agreement, which provides Scottish councils with a fast, fully compliant route to procure cutting-edge traffic management, parking, and compliance technologies.
2.4 Improving Your Bid Score - Increase Your Tender Win Rate
Tuesday 1 September 2026, 2:00-3:30pm
Webinar
Getting the highest possible score in your bid is essential to winning a contract, but it can be difficult to know exactly what the buyer is looking for. This webinar provides an insight into the buyers’ needs and expectations to ensure you win points.
Meet the Buyer North 2026
Thursday 3 September 2026, 10:00am-3:00pm
Aberdeen - SDP Event
Now in its 9th year, the Supplier Development Programme is set to host Meet the Buyer North 2026 at The Music Hall, in Aberdeen, on 3 September 2026.
Spiorad na Mara Supply Chain Breakfast
Wednesday 9 September 2026, 8:30-11:00am
External Event
Join us at the Caladh Inn in Stornoway to hear more about the Spiorad na Mara Offshore Wind farm and find out how SDP can get you tender-ready.
Fife Defence Supplier Event 2026
Fife Defence Supplier Event 2026
Wednesday 9 September 2026, 9:00am-3:30pm
Partner Event
Following the success of the 2025 event and wider Defence Ready Programme, the Fife Defence Supplier Event 2026 will take place on Wednesday 9 September 2026, from 09:00 – 15:30.
2.5 Responding to Tender Policy Requirements - Power of Procurement
Thursday 10 September 2026, 2:00-3:30pm
Webinar
In addition to legal policy requirements like health and safety, this webinar will help your business understand and action social issues that are prioritised in Scotland's public sector such as Net Zero, Community Wealth Building and Fair Work, and provide the most up-to-date policies in your bids.
Forth Valley Meet the Real Buyer
Thursday 17 September 2026, 9:30am-1:00pm
Falkirk SDP Event
Meet your next customer at Forth Valley Meet the 'Real' Buyer at Forth Valley College on Thursday 17 September 2026
Quick Quotes Made Easy
Tuesday 22 September 2026, 2:00-3:00pm
Webinar
Quick Quote is an online quotation facility within Public Contracts Scotland (PCS), that enables buyers to request competitive quotes electronically for low value purchases. Join our webinar to find how you can increase your chances of being invited to Quote.
What is a Meet the Buyer event?
Meet the Buyer events are an opportunity for suppliers to introduce themselves to public sector buyers and private sector primary contractors to learn about new projects, contracts, framework opportunities and supply chain opportunities. For buyers, these events enable them to increase their pool of potential suppliers and widen their supply chains. Overall, Meet the Buyer events offer suppliers a great opportunity to network.
Whatever the size of a business, Meet the Buyer events are useful to attend when considering bidding for future contracting opportunities, as they are specifically designed to help suppliers with the tendering process. Meet the Buyer events can help suppliers understand what the buyers are looking for, introduce them to innovative goods, works and services, and can give suppliers insight on how bids are and will be evaluated from a procurement perspective. Meet the Buyer events also offer the opportunity to engage with business support initiatives, such as the Supplier Development Programme, local authority economic development representatives and Business Gateway representatives.
