Tender Support Project still open for applications

Local groups can still take advantage of a consultancy project designed to improve their ability to win public service contracts, although the project is due to close in March 2011.
The Tender Support Project aims to improve the tender submissions of third sector organisations by providing individual guidance, advice and support. Administered locally by GMCVO and Tameside 3rd Sector Coalition, the project is targeted at organisations with an income of no more than £1 million that are inexperienced in writing tender submissions.
Organisations can apply for consultant support to prepare for tenders as well as support at the time of submitting a tender. This means that tender suitability assessment, advice on policies and procedures, quality systems, pricing models as well as reviewing tenders submissions and preparing for interviews can be included in the consultancy work.
Organisations have to contribute only £50 a day for the consultant.
Three projects in Greater Manchester have already been approved for consultancy support, but others are invited to apply.
Organisations making successful bids will be given an approved consultants list from which they can choose their preferred consultant. Once contact with the consultant has been made, it is up to each organisation, in discussion with the consultant, to decide how best to use the time.
Organisations working in Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Rochdale, Salford, Trafford or Wigan, that are interested in applying to the project, should contact Alison Crush at GMCVO (tel: 0161 277 1022, alison.crush@gmcvo.org.uk).
Organisations in Oldham, Stockport or Tameside should contact Naomi Creed at T3SC (tel: 0161 339 4985, naomi.creed@t3sc.org).
The project is managed nationally by the National Association for Voluntary and Community Action.