Ways 2 Win

Ways To Win – Public Sector Tenders

Ways2 win are specialists in bidding for both for public sector contracts and private sector contracts.

Our free resources cover key aspects of the tender completion rules and how they apply to individual tenders and businesses in order to maximise chances of tender success.

The annual public sector spend is £175 Billion, which gives an indication of the size of the tender opportunities. These include:

  • County councils
  • District councils
  • Borough councils
  • National Health Service (NHS) tenders
  • Ministry of Defence (MOD) tenders

We share current best practice in applying for opportunities in these areas, all of which are included in our body of knowledge that we share freely with visitors.

The United Kingdom’s public sector is entrusted with the responsibility of managing and allocating substantial funds sourced from taxpayers’ money. These funds are used to provide a wide array of services, including but not limited to education, healthcare, defense, and infrastructure. Training contracts represent a significant portion of the public sector’s investment in human capital, aiming to ensure that employees possess the requisite skills to serve the public effectively. The practice of tendering, also known as procurement or bidding, for these training contracts is not arbitrary; it is rooted in principles of transparency, efficiency, equality, and the pursuit of value for money.

We asked some of the UK’s leading training providers what they think about public sector tenders for professional training. This is what Simon Buehring, Managing Director of Knowledge Train said “Whilst it can be time consuming to put the work in to bid for training contracts in the public sector, it is a sensible approach to take for the public sector, since they are custodians of tax payers’ money.”

“As a training company, we put the work in to try to win training contracts, but it is highly competitive and to win, you must provide something extra that nobody else is doing.”

Below are several reasons why UK public sector training contracts invariably go out to tender.

1. Transparency and Accountability

The tendering process ensures a high level of transparency in how public funds are spent. By opening contracts to public tender, the government makes it clear that it is scrutinizing potential providers on a set of pre-determined, objective criteria. This process is open to public scrutiny, which holds the government accountable for its decisions and the outcomes of its investments.

2. Competition and Value for Money

When contracts are put out to tender, multiple organizations have the opportunity to bid. This competition helps drive down costs, as providers are incentivized to offer their best prices to win the contract. Additionally, competition can enhance the quality of training as providers strive to offer superior services that justify their cost. The government is thus able to ensure that it is receiving the best possible value for the taxpayer’s money.

3. Fairness and Equal Opportunity

Tendering ensures that all potential suppliers have an equal opportunity to win contracts, regardless of their size or previous relationship with the government. This non-discriminatory approach encourages small and medium-sized enterprises to participate, fostering a diverse market and preventing monopolies. It also mitigates the risk of corruption or favoritism that might arise if contracts were awarded without a competitive process.

4. Legal and Regulatory Compliance

The UK, as a member of various international bodies and subject to its own laws, must comply with strict procurement regulations. These laws, including the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (which transpose the EU procurement directives into UK law), stipulate that public sector contracts above a certain value must be tendered. These regulations are designed to harmonize procurement processes across sectors and borders, promoting fair trade and economic development.

5. Innovation and Quality Improvement

By encouraging a variety of bidders, the public sector can tap into innovative training methods and emerging technologies that different providers might bring to the table. A competitive tender process can stimulate providers to develop and offer cutting-edge solutions that may significantly improve the quality of training and, consequently, public services.

6. Strategic Sourcing

Through tendering, the government can strategically source training by aligning the selection of training providers with broader public sector goals, such as sustainable development, social value, and community benefits. This way, contracts do not only fulfill immediate training needs but also contribute to long-term strategic objectives.

In conclusion, the UK’s commitment to tendering for public sector training contracts is deeply embedded in the principles of good governance. By mandating that such contracts are awarded through a competitive and open process, the government promotes fairness, encourages innovation, and ensures that public sector employees receive high-quality training, all while safeguarding the public’s trust and the prudent use of their money. This approach aligns with the global best practices in public procurement and reflects the UK’s dedication to upholding the highest standards in its stewardship of public resources.