Public procurement process consultation published

Anna Scott

Smaller businesses may find it easier to bid for and win work across the public sector, following the publication of the government’s consultation paper Making public sector procurement more accessible to SMEs.

Small and medium-sized agencies that want to do business with the public sector can expect all organisations to follow a single set of principles when buying goods and services, under the proposed new rules.

The way public contracts are advertised, bid and paid for across the public sector will be simplified and standardised, as part of the proposals.

“Ambitious small and medium-sized UK businesses are increasingly showing how they can contribute to our economic recovery… but historically SMEs have been shut out of government business,” said Cabinet Office minister Chloe Smith.

“In the past bidding for public sector contracts was time-consuming, expensive and overly bureaucratic.”

The consultation recommends introducing a requirement for all public sector contracts over £10,000 to be accessible on the same site, and banning pre-qualification questionnaires for low value public sector contracts.

In response to the consultation, the Association of Professional Staffing Companies said it would be working with members to set the main focus and collate evidence-based content for a response.

“The procurement supply chain has matured exponentially in the last decade,” said head of external relations, Samantha Hurley. “Historically, buying professionals and recruiters have not worked together as closely as they could. Approximately 86% of APSCo members are SMEs, and for many these public sector contracts are currently, or could be, a valuable source of revenue.”

The consultation closes on 17 October 2013.