The MOD provides a gateway to new business opportunities for companies both large and small.

MOD relies on a vast network of suppliers, and purchases virtually every conceivable service and product. From state-of-the-art tactical equipment to food and ration packs and musical instruments for army bands, the list is almost endless.

Service personnel require clothing; their homes need furnishing, and their bins need emptying. MOD vehicles need fuel and spare parts; while military medical, dental, fire and police services require equipment and logistical support.

Take advantage of these opportunities – the scope for expanding your business is enormous.

The one-day Selling to MOD event will help businesses of all sizes understand how they can take advantage of the opportunities offered by the defence marketplace, whether winning contracts directly, subcontracting or participating in the supply chain. The topics to be covered include:

• Understanding the EU Defence Directive
• Selling to the MOD – MOD Perspective
• Defence and Security Exporting – Support for Small Businesses
• Hints & Tips
• Do’s and Don’ts of Tendering

The workshop seeks to inform delegates about the new vision for UK defence and the implications of the ongoing changes within MOD procurement.

About

The MOD spends over £16 billion annually on a wide range of products and services, making it the number one customer for UK industry. Over the past five years, the MOD has placed over 27,000 contracts in order to satisfy the requirements of its worldwide operations and the needs of its 250,000 Service personnel.

The defence market – comprising both public and private sector organisations – provides a wealth of opportunities for companies of all shapes and sizes, including SMEs. The UK MOD alone flows some £50 million a day down its many-tiered supply chain within which companies provide goods and services of virtually every conceivable type. On average, over the past four years over 90% of the MOD's own contracts have been valued at £100,000 or less, well within the reach of the smallest of SMEs. Add to that the B2B contract opportunities within the defence supply chain – both national and international – and you can see why it makes sense to ask yourself: "Is my company missing out?"

Sub-contractor opportunities

The MOD's objective is to obtain the best long-term value for money in its contracts, with around 1800 buyers committed to purchasing high-quality goods and services.

The MOD is seeking the optimum balance between publishing opportunities for direct supply, and reducing its supplier base. In future, contract opportunities will increasingly involve indirect relationships as sub-contractors to Project/Delivery Teams within DE&S.

Consequently, a huge number of sub-contractor opportunities are being created annually, covering a diverse range of goods and services. Small and medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) are increasingly taking advantage of these opportunities to become a part of the defence market supply chain.

More effective contracting

Competition is still seen as the best means of delivering value for money for the defence budget, since it encourages innovation, flexibility, an efficient use of resources and the development of skills and knowledge.

Competition is not just limited to the Prime Contracting level – it is equally important at sub-contract levels, where fantastic opportunities exist for SMEs to apply innovative commercial techniques and realise value-for-money gains within the supply chain.

This event is your chance to get answers to those questions that you have always wanted to ask about Selling to MOD.

Why attend?

The aim of the Selling to MOD event is to guide companies through some of the steps they need to follow if they wish – either directly or indirectly – to sell to the MOD.

The MOD is British industry's single largest customer, with 32,000 suppliers at present. The MOD's objective is to obtain the best long-term value for money in its contracts. It has around 1800 buyers committed to purchasing high-quality goods and services at the most economical prices and best value for money terms.

This event offers practical advice to organisations of all sizes on how to go about entering the defence marketplace. Learn how to ensure your company can take advantage of the many opportunities to supply to defence by discovering how to identify those opportunities and what to do to convert them into contracts.

Who should attend?

• Current MOD suppliers
• Anyone looking to sell to the MOD
• MOD Prime Contractors
• MOD personnel
• Start-up businesses
• Small businesses looking to supply to/subcontract with the defence sector
• New and growing businesses seeking new ways to develop
• Current SME defence suppliers who want to do better