Thanks to two other finditinsandwell-registered firms, Oscott Horticultural Services in Smethwick has won a fantastic contract with Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council.
The not-for-profit company, which offers training opportunities in landscaping and garden maintenance for disadvantaged people, is starting work this week on a very special Sandwell Council contract: to refurbish the borough's litterbins.
Oscott won the contract by collaborating with two other Sandwell companies: Hill Top Fabrications (who are going to work on any 'major repairs' which cannot be fulfilled by Oscott) and Klick Business Solutions, who helped them write the tender.
"The original remit was to give Sandwell Council a price to repair all of the borough's bins," explained Keith Grice, operations manager at Oscott (pictured). "But with help from Andrea at Klick, we offered something better than that: a proposal based on three conditions that the bins may be in: red, amber or green, with 'red' meaning a bin was beyond repair and would need replacing."
This imaginative approach clinched the deal for Oscott, whose staff will be busy over the next few months with cleaning the existing bins, pasting on new Sandwell Council logos and replacing the 'stubbing-out' blocks for cigarettes.
Meanwhile, Hill Top Fabrications, based in West Bromwich, will supply the necessary welding work, and help to pull out any bins that are too damaged to repair. The work is due to be completed in March 2010.
"Sandwell Council doesn't just want local businesses to win council contracts - they want to encourage people to combine their specialisms and work together," said Keith. "We're not welders and can't do metalwork, so Hill Top are providing that service. As for the tender we were able to produce, well - feedback from the environmental department at the council said the document 'was a joy to go through'. And that's all thanks to Andrea at Klick."
Steve Massey of finditinsandwell, who has long been encouraging Sandwell SMEs to collaborate on larger tenders, is delighted. "We have been working hard to change the culture within Sandwell Council so it is easier for smaller businesses to make consortia bids. This is a sign that our efforts have been paying off - and I hope to hear many more stories like this in the coming months."
This is not the first time Oscott has achieved success through finditinsandwell:
* In March 2009, Oscott carried out a house and garden clearance for Smethwick builders WK Cox - and left such a good impression that the working relationship is likely to continue.
* In April 2009, the company was hired by Jan Britton, Head of Highways and Environment at Sandwell Council, to work on land around Thimblemill Brook.
Congratulations to Oscott, Hill Top and Klick - it's great to know that collaborations can and do work for Sandwell businesses. Are you thinking of producing a consortia bid for a public-sector contract? We'd love to hear from you: email stephen_massey@sandwell.gov.uk and let us know your plans.