Help Centre > Buyer Support > Create Opportunities

Create Opportunities

Before creating an opportunity, you’ll have to decide which notice is best for you and your needs. You’ll see that we’ve made things easier by explaining each opportunity type individually – just follow these steps to get started and then hover your mouse over each option for more information.

Log in to Cimple
Navigate to your dashboard by clicking 'Buyers' along the top-navigation bar and then click on 'Buyer dashboard'
Click the box in the middle of the left-hand sidebar labelled ‘Create opportunity’
Select which notice you’d like to publish. Remember, you can hover your mouse over each option to learn more and decide which notice best suits your needs

In the tabs below, you'll find guidance on the different kinds of notices that you can choose from, and how to publish an opportunity.

Plus, if you'd like guidance on which notice to begin, scroll to the bottom of this page for a quick breakdown.

Here’s a tip – if you’re confused, stuck, or can’t decide on technical questions or social value themes, look out for our AI Suggestion box. Using the ever-impressive power of AI and opportunity data, we’re able to suggest personalised recommendations to help you choose technical questions and social value themes to include within your opportunities. Give it a try, and let us know what you think.

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Flexible opportunity

This is a new procurement journey which allows potential suppliers to express interest (EOI) in the opportunity first, leaving the buyer to assess each applicant and select one for the opportunity. The chosen supplier will be awarded the job at the end of the EOI.

Select ‘Flexible opportunity’ and click ‘Start opportunity creation’
Fill in the fields of the competition details
Request the selection questionnaire from suppliers
Add any technical questions you’d like to include
Decide on a commercial response/template
Add social value assessment (this is optional)
Review your opportunity
And finally, click ‘Publish’

Open opportunity

This opportunity is usually for high-value contracts and open for all suppliers to view and bid on, meaning you’ll have plenty of choice as the buyer.

Select ‘Open opportunity’ and click ‘Start opportunity creation’
Fill in your competition details
Request the selection questionnaire from suppliers
Add your technical questions
Decide on a commercial response/template
Add your social value assessment (this is optional)
Review your open opportunity
And lastly, click ‘Publish’

Mini-competition

Created using a framework or a DPS to utilise a pre-approved shortlist of suppliers. This is generally a quicker way of finding the right supplier for your needs.

Choose the framework/DPS you want to use
Click ‘Use Framework’ or’ DPS’
Add your competition details
See the shortlist of suppliers
Then, add technical questions
Commercial response/template
Social value assessment (optional)
Review and make sure you’re happy
Click ‘Publish’

Quick-quote

A shorter, faster process for lower-value competitions that can be run both on or off a framework. For this opportunity, a minimum of three suppliers need to be selected for the running before the notice can be published, and only those suppliers on the Cimple platform will be able to provide a quote.

Choose to use a framework (or not)
Select ‘Quick quote’
Add your competition details
Select the suppliers for the opportunity (min. 3)
Review your form
Click ‘Publish’

Direct award

A quick, simple process for lower-value contracts. For this opportunity, only one supplier is invited (and permitted) to provide the buyer with their quote.

Choose to use a framework (or not)
Select’ Direct Award’
Add opportunity details
Select the supplier for the opportunity (max. 1)
Review
Click ‘Publish’

Early engagement

An opportunity to ask for feedback from suppliers on early procurement ideas.

Select Early Engagement
Start Opportunity creation
Add competition details
Click ‘Publish’
Confirm ‘Publish’ in pop-up modal

Future opportunity

This is a short notice to provide information to potential suppliers on procurements which are likely to be published in the future.

Select ‘Future opportunity’
Start putting together your opportunity
Add your competition details
When you’re done, click ‘Publish’
Confirm ‘Publish’ in pop-up modal, and you’re done

Notice Type

Early Notices

Low value purchases

Using a framework or DPS

Above threshold (non framework/DPS)

Mini competition

Yes

Flexible opportunities

Yes

Quick quotes

Yes

Open opportunities

Yes

Direct awards

Yes

Early engagement

Yes

Future opportunities

Yes

Next Step: Head to your Cimple dashboard to manage your tenders.

Need help? Feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions.