Friday, June 12, 2009
How to get your share of £175 billion public sector contracts
What business would turn up its nose at a slice of a £175 billion pie? According to Business Link research almost 50% of SMEs in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
The public sector spends around £175 billion in contracts each year, yet 47% of firms in Hampshire and Isle of Wight surveyed by Business Link are ‘not interested in bidding for public sector contracts’. In the last few days, business organisations have called for the Government to adopt the recommendations of the All Party Parliamentary Small Business Group to help small and medium-sized firms (SMEs) to win more government contracts. Business Link in the South East has surveyed both public sector procurers and SME business owners to find out what the barriers are.
The research found that
50% of SMEs in Hampshire and Isle of Wight have never supplied goods or services to the public sector
However SMEs in Hampshire and Isle of Wight that expressed interest in working with the public sector, 77% would consider seeking support.
Business Link is offering plenty of help – including free workshops on successful bid writing and tendering throughout Hampshire and Isle of Wight in July.
FREE event: ‘How to win public sector contracts’ 4pm-8pm
Monday 6 July Southampton Novotel
Tuesday 7 July Basingstoke Country Hotel, nr Hook
Tuesday 14 July Lakeside, Isle of Wight
Wednesday 15 July Portsmouth Marriott Hotel
To book your place call Business Link 0845 600 9 006
Deborah Wyatt, Business Link says, ‘There has never been a better time for SMEs to bid for these contracts, especially with political pressure for public services to reduce environmental impacts and promote social inclusion.’
She adds: ‘SMEs account for 99.7% of South East businesses and are major contributors to the economy. Bidding for these contracts is not only potentially beneficial for them but also improves competition and ensures the public sector gets value for money and a wider choice of providers. However, there are issues that need to be addressed.
‘SMEs want simpler, less time-consuming and jargon-free tender documents, together with longer deadlines for submission.’
Meanwhile, procurers stress that SMEs must ensure they fully understand what the contracting company requires and ask questions if necessary. They must also complete all parts of the bid – and be aware that the contract isn’t usually awarded on price alone; experience is equally important.
Business Link recommends that SMEs register on www.supply2.gov.uk which has over 3,000 new contracts added each month.
Business Link has also produced a 24 page Guide to ‘Winning New Business’ which has a substantial section on public sector contracting. For a free copy please call 0845 600 9 006 or go to www.businessquestionsanswered.co.uk/newbusiness.
There is also a very useful site offering SMEs information and guidance on selling products and services to government, please visit: www.businesslink.gov.uk/southeast/publicprocurement
In addition there is a South East Business Portal which is designed to allow the sharing of information about existing contracts (Contract Store) and forthcoming tendering opportunities across the 74 councils and 9 fire & rescue services of the South East region https://www.businessportal.southeastiep.gov.uk/
|
