EU/overseas tenders - use an agent?
Discussion
I'm not looking at doing this at the moment, but through DIT Export Opportunities I've received a link to ted.europa.eu for details of tender opportunities.
My question is, does anyone use any kind of agent who engages with/handles overseas tender application processes on behalf of UK businesses, in exchange for a percentage commission of the final tender value? Or is there usually some other fee structure in place?
My question is, does anyone use any kind of agent who engages with/handles overseas tender application processes on behalf of UK businesses, in exchange for a percentage commission of the final tender value? Or is there usually some other fee structure in place?
Welcome to my world!
The most valuable support you can have on these sorts of tenders is someone to check compliance. If you know your business, then writing a methodology shouldn't be an issue but they can be hugely complex when it comes to compliance and having someone sense check prior to starting the process and prior to submitting can be a huge benefit and save a lot of wasted time and effort. We have a couple of ex-EU procurement officers that we use (none of which will be of any use to you I'm afraid unless you are in the waste management sector).
Personally, I wouldn't use an agent. I have used them previously but found myself re-writing most of what they did as I know my business better than them. One was quite useful in spotting opportunities though.
A couple of pointers.....
If you are providing consulting services or other forms of expertise; everything is geared around the individuals that will do the work over any company credentials. You need to avail yourself of the correct international formatting for CVs and get these prepared (PM me if you want an example).
DiT provide a lot of support, help and training. Make yourself known to your local rep and see what's on offer locally. They are particularly good at helping you find local partners.
Don't forget that after 31st March next year, UK companies will be excluded from participation in EU public tenders and are already being dissuaded from applying for any now.
HTH
The most valuable support you can have on these sorts of tenders is someone to check compliance. If you know your business, then writing a methodology shouldn't be an issue but they can be hugely complex when it comes to compliance and having someone sense check prior to starting the process and prior to submitting can be a huge benefit and save a lot of wasted time and effort. We have a couple of ex-EU procurement officers that we use (none of which will be of any use to you I'm afraid unless you are in the waste management sector).
Personally, I wouldn't use an agent. I have used them previously but found myself re-writing most of what they did as I know my business better than them. One was quite useful in spotting opportunities though.
A couple of pointers.....
If you are providing consulting services or other forms of expertise; everything is geared around the individuals that will do the work over any company credentials. You need to avail yourself of the correct international formatting for CVs and get these prepared (PM me if you want an example).
DiT provide a lot of support, help and training. Make yourself known to your local rep and see what's on offer locally. They are particularly good at helping you find local partners.
Don't forget that after 31st March next year, UK companies will be excluded from participation in EU public tenders and are already being dissuaded from applying for any now.
HTH
Thank you for sharing some of your experiences and advice SB. I'm not involved in any consultancy etc - the only interest I have is in the potential to respond to DIT's Overseas Opportunities where retail supply/wholesale for clothing and accessories are concerned.
It seems you're deeply entrenched in your industry so I can see the importance of compliance etc - the sort of contract value I would respond to would probably be a fraction of the type you'd show interest in, but thanks you for offering to advise on cv formatting; at this level I haven't seen a requirement to submit one, but perhaps I can get some further guidance from you if required.
It'll be interesting to see if/how the DIT export opportunities platform will adapt after 31st March. Incidentally, you've probably seen this - perhaps not your sector:
https://opportunities.export.great.gov.uk/opportun...
It seems you're deeply entrenched in your industry so I can see the importance of compliance etc - the sort of contract value I would respond to would probably be a fraction of the type you'd show interest in, but thanks you for offering to advise on cv formatting; at this level I haven't seen a requirement to submit one, but perhaps I can get some further guidance from you if required.
It'll be interesting to see if/how the DIT export opportunities platform will adapt after 31st March. Incidentally, you've probably seen this - perhaps not your sector:
https://opportunities.export.great.gov.uk/opportun...
Edited by ReverendCounter on Monday 15th October 14:36
Ah - well, things should be a lot simpler for you.
You would do well to get in touch with your local DiT Rep. I've long used them (and in their original UK Trade and Investment guise) and found them to be exceptionally helpful. If you are in the East of England, I can connect you to the chap I use.
The tender opportunities that get published on the DiT site first appear on TED so there can be a bit of latency. This means that you have less time to respond if you only rely on those the DiT publish.
As for post Brexit.....We've set up a new company domiciled in Bulgaria. Easy enough to do but you need a local partner and this is something that again DiT can help with.
The government are also gearing up to support exports beyond the EU with the Commonwealth high on the list of target nations. Keep an eye out for trade missions for your sector and get on them if you can.
You would do well to get in touch with your local DiT Rep. I've long used them (and in their original UK Trade and Investment guise) and found them to be exceptionally helpful. If you are in the East of England, I can connect you to the chap I use.
The tender opportunities that get published on the DiT site first appear on TED so there can be a bit of latency. This means that you have less time to respond if you only rely on those the DiT publish.
As for post Brexit.....We've set up a new company domiciled in Bulgaria. Easy enough to do but you need a local partner and this is something that again DiT can help with.
The government are also gearing up to support exports beyond the EU with the Commonwealth high on the list of target nations. Keep an eye out for trade missions for your sector and get on them if you can.
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