The NSW Small Business Commission has partnered with TAFE NSW to help small businesses become tender ready and win State Government contracts.
Announced by Minister for Finance and Small Business, Damien Tudehope, the Commission has launched four online courses and a written guide to help small businesses understand the tendering and contract processes involved in working with the NSW Government.
Mr Tudehope said the launch was the first major milestone in the Commission’s four-year tender support program, announced in November last year.
“NSW Government spends around $40 billion each year on procurement of goods, services and construction, with nearly half of that amount going to small and medium businesses,” Mr Tudehope said.
“Tendering for Government work can take up valuable time and resources for small
businesses, and larger businesses often have the edge,” he said.
NSW Small Business Commissioner, Chris Lamont said the new Selling to the NSW Government training courses comprised four modules, Getting Business Ready; Finding Opportunities; Selling to Government; and Successful Supplying.
Mr Lamont said the courses would help small businesses prepare for and navigate major stages of the tendering and contract processes.
“It is complemented by the new Selling to the NSW Government: A Guide for Small
Business, which includes templates for key tendering documents,” he said.
The Commissioner said the training and Guide were informed by a stakeholder engagement survey which sought feedback from small businesses and other key stakeholders on the State’s procurement processes and how they could be improved.
“The survey identified key pain points for small businesses in tendering for Government work and what information and assistance was most useful in helping businesses to lift their capabilities so they can compete effectively,” Mr Lamont said.
The Commission’s 47-page Guide can be accessed at this PS News link and further information on the new courses at this link.