DFID - A Briefing Seminar for Potential UK SME Suppliers

Department for International Development
The Department for International Development (DFID) leads the UK government’s fight against world poverty, running
long-term programmes to help stop the underlying causes of poverty and responding to humanitarian emergencies.

UK Bilateral Official Development Assistance is estimated at £6,851 million in 2013. In 2013 the main region supported was Africa, representing 38% of UK bilateral aid. Focus sectors include health, government, education and infrastructure. This opens up a wide range of opportunities for UK companies to supply goods and services to these programmes.

UK Aid is untied and EU Public Procurement directives mandate EU-wide competition whereby no restrictions are
allowed in favour of national self-interest. On this basis, contracts are awarded to companies offering the best solution whilst also ensuring that they represent value for money for the UK. Although DFID cannot favour UK companies when awarding goods & services contracts, around 90% of all centrally issued contracts go to UK-registered companies.

For more information on the Department for International Development, please visit: www.gov.uk/dfid

Why you should attend
The UK Trade & Investment Aid-Funded Business Service (AFBS) helps UK companies win business from projects funded by the aid organisations. AFBS liaises closely with DFID’s Procurement Group, and aims to help UK companies (especially SMEs) better understand DFID’s procurement procedures and requirements. AFBS is therefore delighted to hold this meeting in Birmingham with DFID’s procurement personnel. After the presentations there will be a question & answer session for companies to ask their specific questions to the DFID representatives.

Programme

09:30–10:00 Registration

10:00-10:10 Welcome and Introductions

10:10-10:30 Role of UKTI and AFBS
10:30-11:10 Overview of DFID’s Procurement Procedures

11:10-11:30 The Procurement Agent Function

11:30-11:40 Coffee break
11:40-12:10 DFID’s opportunities for SMEs
12:10-12:40 Renewal of DFID’s Frameworks
12:40-13:30 Q & A – Summing up

13:30-14:30 Networking Lunch

14:30 Close

***Please note paid carparking is available on-site accessed via Highfield Road***

Costs are:

0 -1 hours £1.00

1 -2 hours £2.00

2 - 4 hours £3.00

4 - 6 hours £5.00

6 – 10 hours £6.00

Contact
UKTI Aid-Funded Business Service Team
Rupi Nandra
T: 0845 603 0084 E: info@afbs.org.uk