Support for micro, small and medium businesses, social enterprises, voluntary and community organisations.

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)

We recognise the benefits that small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) can make to the local economy and their vital contribution to delivering public services.

Our pdf Procurement Concordat for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (49 KB)  signifies Bristol's commitment to dealing with SMEs in our procurement activity.

Awareness sessions and workshops

We're running some awareness sessions outlining the procurement process we must use, what we procure and why.

There'll also be introductory workshops on our e-tendering system and the advantages that it brings to SMEs for identifying up and coming tenders.

Awareness Sessions e-Learning

There are e-Learning sessions available on the Learning Hub for topics including:

  • Child Protection (Safeguarding) Awareness
  • Adults Safeguarding Awareness
  • Prevent Duty
  • Overview of the Care Act 2014

These resources are of particular value to providers interested in bidding for Social Care tender opportunities.

Workshop notes

pdf Top tips for tendering with the council (784 KB)

Notes from a course we've developed for market providers (March 2016).

pdf Bid candy: workshop notes (209 KB)

Bid candy is where a small respected organisation such as a charity's reputation is used to enhance a bid. But the lead bidder then reneges on an agreement (July 2015).

Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise Organisations

Baseline standards

When commissioning from the VCS or awarding grants we require minimum standards to be met. These are called baseline standards and are set out in pdf Baseline Standards for Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise Organisations (288 KB) .

Contact information

Procurement and Contract Management Service

Bristol City Council
PO Box 3399
Bristol BS1 9NE

Email: corporate.procurement@bristol.gov.uk