Are there tenders directed exclusively to SMEs?

Of course there are public tenders only for SMEs, and less bad! Because if not, competing against the giants would be almost like fighting armed Godzilla only with a dessert spoon. For many small and medium -sized companies, these competitions are a blessing. They open the door to public contracts that sometimes represent the lifeguard (or the push) that they need to survive or grow.

The background roll is that governments seek to give the local ecosystem vidilla. That is, they want more variety and real competition, not the typical boring boring duopoly. That is why these “only for SMEs” tenders were invented: so that the neighborhood companies, or the region, also play on the big court and do not look at the tribune. Incidentally, they generate work and move the local economy. It is not magic, but it helps.

Many countries have it written in stone: the law says that the State has to reserve a piece of the cake for SMEs. For example, the European Union has that 2014/24/24 directive that basically forces governments not to leave SMEs out of the game. And of course, each country then fixes them in its own way.

Of course, entering a tender is not to arrive and kiss the saint. You have to meet certain requirements (and sometimes, Uff, they are a mess). That if the size of the company, the number of employees, be up to date with the Treasury and Social Security ... in short, the full combo. Some sites are more strict than others, so you should read the small print so as not to put the leg.

And be careful, it is not enough to comply with the rules. SMEs have to really be prepared if they want to win something. It is not just about having the paperwork in order, but about showing financial muscle, knowing how to manage projects and, above all, to be clear about what they are offering and how they will do it better than the competition. If not, nor do they try, because the great sharks do not forgive.

By the way, finding these opportunities is not a matter of riddle either. You have to be attentive to official bulletins, digital platforms, organism websites ... And, if you are lucky, a support agency can throw a cable with information or advice so as not to lose yourself in the paperwork.

So, exclusive tenders for SMEs exist and can be a bomb for your business, but they are not a rose path. If you are SMEs and you have no idea how this is going, seek help before throwing yourself. Because here, as in almost everything, information and preparation are the key. And if you ride it well, you just end up signing the contract that changes your life. Or at least, you pay the invoices without sweating cold.