What we do

The Supplier Development Programme (SDP) was established in 2008, and is a partnership of Local Authorities, Scottish Government and other public bodies that works together to bring FREE support tendering to Scottish-based SMEs.

A business support initiative, SDP helps Scottish SMEs find and bid for public and private sector contracts, through its free training, networking events and website.

SDP’s work with Suppliers

Working in partnership with governments and other SDP members, the Programme helps suppliers connect with these buyers and grow their businesses.

SDP gets local suppliers tender ready, with online and in person events, and in doing so helps to diversify supply chains, build stronger regional economies, and link procurement training with Community Wealth Building.

SDP improves suppliers’ efficiency, sustainability and market potential – which fosters local wealth.

As of March 2022, the Programme has more than 19,500 SME registered businesses in Scotland.

If you have little or no experience of tendering, or if your business is too small to have dedicated bid team, SDP can help!

Talk to SDP to get tender ready and increase your chance of winning some of Scotland’s £16 billion public procurement spend.

SDP’s work with Buyers

• Diverse Supply Chains

Through its corporate membership model, SDP proactively aligns larger primary contractors that deliver public sector contracts to local supply chains across Scotland, with a proven partnership model that makes supply chains more open and transparent.

• Community Wealth Building

SDP is a national shared service that provides a range of activities to help businesses realise their Community Wealth Building ambitions. SDP provides data to evidence CWB actions and their impact; it provides a trusted ethical wall between buyers and suppliers; and links Community Wealth Building, procurement, and economic development teams through its established structure.

SDP’s Objectives

• Raise awareness of opportunities arising from public sector spend;
• Provide training and support via traditional classroom style, face-to-face, or via webinar, in all aspects public sector tendering;
• Improve the tender readiness of local suppliers through early intervention and early engagement;
• Support our member organisations to meet the Sustainable Procurement Duty; and
• Promote links and integrate with other government business support services.

You can engage with SDP by registering and logging in, where you can learn more about booking training and events, and access additional resources.