Tendering Explained: From Opportunity to Contract

To many business owners, the bidding process sounds complicated, time-consuming, or perhaps even like “not for me.” Yet there are plenty of opportunities, especially for local business owners, to participate in municipal contracts. With this program, we aim to lower that barrier and make the bidding process understandable, practical, and, above all, achievable.

During this evening, we’ll walk you through the tendering process step by step. No complicated jargon—just clear explanations, concrete examples, and honest insights from real-world experience. You’ll gain insight into where your opportunities lie, how to prepare a strong bid, and what the municipality considers important when evaluating proposals.

There will also be plenty of opportunity to ask questions, share experiences, and meet other entrepreneurs. Because together we know more—and sometimes the best opportunities arise precisely through collaboration.
Whether you’ve never registered before or already have some experience, after this evening you’ll go home with more knowledge, more confidence, and hopefully a greater enthusiasm for getting started with tenders.

Program

1. Drop-in & informal start (30 min) | 7:00–7:30 p.m.

   • What challenges do you face when bidding on contracts? 
   • Have you had any experience with it yet?

2. Brief opening remarks by the municipality (10 min) | 7:35–7:45 p.m. | Michiel Boers, Account Manager, Municipality of Leudal

   • Why is the municipality organizing this? 
   • What is the role of local businesses in the bidding process? 
   • What sectors or projects are on the horizon?

3. Public Procurement Explained in Plain Language (45 min) | 7:45–8:30 p.m. | Ruud Sassen, Procurement & Tendering Consultant

   • What is a tender (and what isn't it)? 
   • What types are there (multiple private agreements, European agreements, etc., in very general terms)? 
   • What is the step-by-step process? 
   • Where can I find tenders?
   • How do I write a good quote?
   • Collaboration / Partnerships / Opportunities for SMEs
     Break

4. Case Study: “How It Really Works” (15 min) | 8:45–9:00 p.m. | Bram Borghs, Procurement Advisor for the Municipality

   • A recent municipal contract 
   • From inquiry → quote → award → execution 
   • What should we look for in quotes? 
   • Why does one party win while the other doesn't?

5. Entrepreneur's Talk (15 min) | 9:00–9:15 p.m. | Jan Op ’t Hof, Op ’t Hof Technical Wholesale

   • First experience with registration 
   • What was better than expected / worse than expected? 
   • What would Jan do differently now?

6. Plenary feedback session (15 min) | 9:15–9:30 p.m.

   • Open Q&A session with Ruud, Bram, and Jan.

7. Closing remarks + networking reception (30–60 min) | 9:30–10:30 p.m.
    

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