Free Programme for Start-up and Small Businesses

GLASGOW, Scotland, March 22, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Yesterday (Monday 21 March 2011), the new and improved Supply National SME Engagement Programme was launched by business intelligence experts BiP Solutions. This free service, designed specifically for start-up and small businesses, will provide the business intelligence and information needed to compete in the current public sector procurement marketplace. Businesses can access the programme at: http://www.supplytender.co.uk

At a time when cost saving is a key focus for businesses, the Supply programme offers a range of free services that will enable companies to improve market presence and achieve business growth. It will help them become ready to tender, with free access to public sector contract opportunities, events, news and resources all relevant to their sector.

The programme can be broken down into three main areas:

    
    - Contract Opportunities - users can access new public sector
      contract opportunities in one chosen region for free.
    - Events - information and booking instructions for events designed
      to prepare businesses to become ready to tender.
    - News and Resources - information to help keep businesses fully up
      to speed with public procurement best practice and market developments.

BiP CEO Ron Burges said: "We are delighted to announce the arrival of our updated service for start-up and small businesses. We feel that the Supply programme fills a gap in the market and will provide an invaluable service to start-up and small businesses. At present we have approximately 30,000 companies registered for the service and our goal is to grow the programme to include all UK start-up and small businesses."

NOTES TO EDITORS

BiP Solutions

BiP Solutions was established in 1984 to facilitate business between the public and private sectors. They provide the tools that buyers and suppliers need to engage more effectively with one another. These include services that provide details of contract opportunities and other market intelligence, electronic systems that support efficient and effective tendering, consultancy services, training and development and events. For more information, visit http://www.bipsolutions.com

Supply National SME Engagement Programme

The Supply National SME Engagement Programme is a centralised resource set up for start-up and small businesses to provide free insight into the public sector procurement process. It will help companies become ready to tender, providing access to relevant public sector contract opportunities and information on the latest events, news and developments in the market. For more information, visit http://www.supplytender.co.uk

For more information please contact: Lorna Donnelly or Shona Waddell on: lorna.donnelly@bipsolutions.com or shona.waddell@bipsolutions.com or telephone +44(0)141-270-7681