An Introduction to Tendering

The aim of this bootcamp is to support small businesses to improve their success rate when tendering for public sector contracts. It aims to demystify procurement procedures and provide practical guidance on satisfying the Terms of Reference for government tenders through a structured approach to tender bidding for SMEs.

Aims & Objectives

• Examine practical advice on procurement
• Examine procurement procedures and provide guidance on satisfying the Terms of Reference for tenders
• Examine the demands of a structured approach to tender bidding for SMEs
• Link to information on sourcing contract notices and RFTs
• Explore Tender Specifications and the importance of the marking grid
• Discuss the key elements of a successful tender bid
• Be encouraged to build up a list of trusted associates and resources that could assist in more success in satisfying tender requirements.

Course Schedule:  09:30 - 12.30pm each day 

• Day 1 - 18th Thursday September
• Day 2 - 25th Thursday September

Please Note: 

• This training is for businesses currently trading or planning on trading in Waterford City or County. If you are based outside of Waterford please contact the relevant LEO to access a similar service. A full listing of LEO offices is available by following this link - Find Your Local Enterprise Office
• By booking this course you agree to share your booking details with the trainer.

Delivery Method

This course will be delivered in-person.

Training Partner:

Michelle brings over 25 years of experience working with SMEs on tendering for both public and private sector contracts, with a reputation for a practical, no-nonsense approach. She has helped secure an estimated £150 million in contracts for SMEs over the past three years and has designed and delivered over 200 tendering programmes for clients including LEOs, local councils, ICBAN, and InvestNI. With experience supporting over 4,000 SMEs across sectors such as IT, construction, engineering, and manufacturing, Michelle has worked on bids ranging from £5k to £20m. She has also advised government bodies on making tendering more accessible for small businesses, including contributions to the NI Executive and the Cyprus Central Procurement Unit, and is the author of the FSB report on SME tendering experiences.

Two factor authorisation is required when booking; please ensure you have this set up with your bank. If you experience any difficulties regarding payment, please contact the LEO office at 051 849905 for assistance.