With the UK Government currently announcing big changes in public procurement comes a warning that many smaller businesses will lose out on the opportunity if they fail to step-up their professionalism.
David Cameron recently announced the coalition government is to make it easier and more accessible for small businesses to bid for and win a share of the annual £200 billion public sector spend.
“The easing of the procurement process is good news but the opposite of that is there will be far more suppliers submitting bids”, says BizVision’s small business procurement coach, Malcolm Gallagher, “This means a vital need for small and medium sized enterprises (SME’s) to know how to compete and to be more professional, “ he added.
Mr Gallagher went on to say that the proposal to eliminate Pre Qualification Questionnaire, the PQQ, the stumbling block to many SMEs, will mean many more firms will be submitting bids for Government contracts, giving buyers much more choice and creating a competitive challenge for suppliers.
Government has also announced the introduction of “Contract Finder”, a new online portal to help SMEs access central government contracts and encourage sub-contracting. It is currently in Phase 1 with contracts becoming “live” early April.
“To succeed SMEs now need to start to be more professional in their approach to winning contracts which is why, to complement Contract Finder, we have now launched ContractWinner.co.uk,” continued Mr Gallagher, “For the first time suppliers will be able, at a low cost, to access an interactive online support hub with proven learning that will improve their bid-writing skills and be able to have free access to our expert online Virtual Coach service”
Mr Gallagher went on to say he believed SMEs need to realise the genuine intentions of Government, both central and local, to open contract opportunities for smaller businesses but there will be an increased need for those firms to improve their compliance policies and develop their professionalism as a supplier.
ContractWinner is an online membership “hub” but SMEs can download a selection of complimentary resources and Malcolm Gallagher’s free “Top 10 Bid Writing Tips” at www.contractwinner.co.uk
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Editors Note:
For comment please contact Malcolm Gallagher Tel 01670 518080 or mobile 0784 341 3305 Or e-mail mg@bizvision.co.uk
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