AFTER receiving expert procurement help from Business Gateway, two Falkirk businesses have successfully pitched for public sector contractors, collectively worth over £1.1m.
ABC Ambulance Services and Rooftec (Scotland) Ltd both received procurement support from Business Gateway Falkirk, which provided training about how the public sector operates, crucial policies and information required when submitting tender documents and raised awareness of both organisations amongst public sector buyers.
Along with procurement support, ABC Ambulance Services and Rooftec Scotland received one-to-one business advice, strategic reviews of their operations, networking opportunities and market research reports.
Founded in 2005, ABC Ambulance Services is a private ambulance service that provides patient, team and organ transport and repatriation services across Scotland and the North of England. The specialist procurement support received from Business Gateway resulted in ABC Ambulance Services securing an NHS Forth Valley contract for patient service transport, worth over £900,000.
Trading for over 11 years, Rooftec Scotland provides a variety of roof construction services including full commercial and domestic roof installations. After taking advantage of Business Gateway’s expert procurement help, Rooftec was successful in winning a key public sector contract with Kingdom Housing Association worth over £270,000.
Lorraine Taylor, business adviser at Business Gateway Falkirk, explained: “Our aim was to support both companies with the public procurement application process. After engaging with Business Gateway’s expert procurement help, ABC Ambulance Services and Rooftec Scotland submitted robust Public Contract Scotland applications which led to successful outcomes in both cases.
“It is fantastic to see how Business Gateway’s support has helped both businesses to grow and develop their respective operations, as well as raising their profiles in the public sector and increasing overall employment.”
Mark Cattanach, Director of Rooftec Scotland, said: “Our Business Gateway adviser has really helped us to understand the Public Contracts Scotland system, which can be quite daunting when submitted your first tenders.
“The result of working with Business Gateway has seen us win a substantial public sector contract which will provide work for the business for several months. In addition to our current order book, this has resulted in a major recruitment campaign to help us keep up with demand.”
Michael Daly, Director of ABC Ambulance Services, highlighted: “Business Gateway has been instrumental in providing us with a better understanding of all areas of procurement. After working closely with our Business Gateway adviser, we now have a strong profile on the Public Contracts Scotland system, which has been instrumental in raising awareness of our services amongst key public sector buyers.”
