How to Win Projects in the Public Sector, ft. Be First London

Public-sector work can look opaque from the outside, especially for smaller practices trying to understand procurement, fees, quality scoring and how to avoid wasting time on the wrong bids. Stephen Drew speaks with Jacob Willson and Amandeep Kalra from Be First about winning public-sector projects, building design teams, judging quality and making architecture useful for communities in Barking and Dagenham. The conversation covers: How Be First uses architecture, urban design, landscape and sustainability expertise What public-sector clients look for when procuring design teams How quality, fees and due diligence shape tender decisions How smaller practices can approach public-sector opportunities Why vision, communication and social value matter in public work Read the episode on Architecture Social: How to Win Projects in the Public Sector Watch on YouTube: Be First London on Public-Sector Projects ____ Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Be First and Barking and Dagenham 05:00 Design studio work, masterplans and client advice 10:00 The breadth of public-sector design work 15:00 Procurement, due diligence and choosing practices 20:00 Quality scoring versus price in tenders 25:00 How small practices can access public-sector work 30:00 Fees, budgets and professional services 35:00 Specialist capability and in-house expertise 40:00 Vision, stakeholders and design leadership 45:00 Public-sector and private-practice career routes 50:00 Communicating ideas clearly 55:00 Apprenticeships, education and future talent ____ Architecture Social Find more architecture career advice, practice insight and live roles at Architecture Social. Explore more conversations on the Architecture Social Podcast, browse free resources at Architecture Social Resources, or join the community at Architecture Social Club. ____ Affiliate learning partner We have partnered with ArchAdemia, an online learning platform built by architects, for architects. If you join through our link or use code ARCHSOCIAL10, Architecture Social may earn a commission. Use code ARCHSOCIAL10 for a discount on the annual membership.