Welcome to the Supplier Development Programme
If you’re a Scottish SME or third sector organisation interested in working with the public sector, we can help. We offer expert training, support and information to help you win work and grow your business. And best of all – it’s completely free.
Latest news
SDP Bank Holiday Closure
20 Jul: The Supplier Development Programme will be closed on Monday 20 July 2026.
Help the Scottish Government shape the Procurement and Supplier Journeys
6 Jul: Don't miss your chance to help the Scottish Government shape the updated Procurement and Supplier Journeys.
Public Service Reform Committee seeks views as part of pre-budget scrutiny
6 Jul: The Public Service Reform Committee is seeking views from public sector leaders, staff delivering public sector services, and more as part of its pre-budget scrutiny 2027-28.
Tender opportunities
- • Provision of Scottish Consumer Sentiment Indicator Data 2026
- • 19486_Banff Academy_Lift Replacement
- • Assistive Support Needs Services for South Lanarkshire College
- • Civil Engineering Associate Trainers
- • CULTURE COLLECTIVE 2026 - DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS CONTRACT
- • Tarbert Heritage Scheme: Community Mural and Wayfinding - Design and Delivery (HES/Lottery Funded)
- • Specialist Drama Education Services for HES Junior Tour Guides Programme
- • Grazing for horses and ponies and/or livestock- 12.47 hectares (30.82 acres) or thereby Auchtertool, Fife
- • Net Zero - Retrofit Works (Externals) - Design and Build
- • Grant Fund Manager Dynamic Purchasing System
- • Provision of Scottish Consumer Sentiment Indicator Data 2026
- • 19486_Banff Academy_Lift Replacement
- • Assistive Support Needs Services for South Lanarkshire College
- • Civil Engineering Associate Trainers
- • CULTURE COLLECTIVE 2026 - DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS CONTRACT
- • Tarbert Heritage Scheme: Community Mural and Wayfinding - Design and Delivery (HES/Lottery Funded)
- • Specialist Drama Education Services for HES Junior Tour Guides Programme
- • Grazing for horses and ponies and/or livestock- 12.47 hectares (30.82 acres) or thereby Auchtertool, Fife
- • Net Zero - Retrofit Works (Externals) - Design and Build
- • Grant Fund Manager Dynamic Purchasing System
Featured events
1.3 Getting Your Business Tender Ready - The Checklist
Thursday 30 July 2026, 2.00-3:30pm
Webinar
Knowing what your business needs to have in place before you start tendering is the foundation to success. This webinar will provide you with an easy to use checklist and description of all the policies, processes and evidence you need to have ready before you bid on an opportunity.
1.4 Planning Your Bid – Time and Resources
Tuesday 4 August 2026, 2.00-3:30pm
Webinar
The biggest learning curve in tendering is understanding the time, energy and resources that go into creating a winning bid. This webinar will walk you through the steps of how to plan and manage your bid, making it as stress free as possible.
1.5 Pricing Your Tender – A Sustainable Approach
Thursday 6 August 2026, 10.30am-12:00pm
Webinar
Do you find the pricing element of your bid challenging or is it a stab in dark, then let’s shine a little light on it! ? During this course, an SDP expert will help you to overcome the common challenges faced by suppliers and explain how your pricing is evaluated by public sector buyers
2.1 Passing the Selection Stage – The Single Procurement Document (SPD)
Wednesday 12 August 2026, 2.00-3:30pm
Webinar
During this webinar we take an in-depth look at the Single Procurement Document (SPD), which was formerly known as the ESPD and PQQ. Attend this course to gain tips and hints that will help you ace this first step and move forward in the bidding process.
Aligned Tender Training: SLC Carer Support Services for Adult and Young Carers
Thursday 13 August 2026, 2.00-3:30pm
Webinar
South Lanarkshire Council is seeking to work in partnership with experienced third sector organisations to deliver cost‑effective, outcome‑based Adult Carer and Young Carer Support Services, in line with the priorities set out in the Carers Strategy 2023–2026.
2.2 How to Write Outstanding Tenders - The Invitation to Tender (ITT) Stage
Thursday 20 August 2026, 10.00-11:30am
Webinar
Bidding is all about getting the right words on the page and getting a compliant bid submitted on time. This webinar will demonstrate how to use PCS and PCS-T and will also look at how to construct excellent responses to buyers' questions.
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.
Useful resources
Getting started
Read our helpful jargon buster and other documents
Case studies
How SMEs in Scotland have won public sector work with the support of SDP
If things go wrong
Help for suppliers who are having issues or concerns with a Scottish procurement exercise
Sample policy documents
Download free, customisable workplace policy templates for your business
