NEW support to access public sector contracts is being launched for the 79,000 micro businesses and small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Essex who employ fewer than 50 employees.

The new guidance will assist these organisations to access public sector supply chains and expand their networks and business opportunities.

Essex County Council’s procurement teams manage £1.2 billion of third-party spend per year. This covers more than 300 contracts with over 400 suppliers from a range of industries, supporting both statutory and non-statutory services.

These include technology, transport, construction, health services and more. However, the council appreciates the procurement process can be confusing for smaller businesses.

That’s why the council has launched a new campaign to support SMEs to access public sector supply chain opportunities.

The ‘Help for Suppliers’ guidance helps businesses to find opportunities and be successful in their bids.

It will be supported by a free Let’s Do Business Group webinar on Friday 9 June.

From 11am to 1pm, small businesses can join the event to learn more about getting noticed, important documentation and effective tendering tips.

Cllr Lesley Wagland OBE, Essex County Council Cabinet Member for Economic Renewal, Infrastructure and Planning, said: “SMEs will play an essential role in levelling up our economy. We hope this new, easy-to-follow guidance will encourage more small businesses to engage with our tenders, supporting our ambition to involve more SMEs in our supply chain.

“We look forward to the Let’s Do Business Group webinar, which we hope will help entrepreneurs to digest our guidance and engage in meaningful conversation about valuable public sector tenders.