Government publishes a ‘Selling To Government Guide’

The government has published a ‘Selling To Government Guide’ which will give small and medium-sized enterprises essential information on how to bid for and win government contracts.

This government is intent on giving smaller businesses better access to the £50 billion worth of public contracts, which can include anything from supplying hospital equipment to providing public sector pensions, which are tendered each year.

In support of Small Business Saturday, the guide includes advice on where business owners can look online for government contract opportunities and also includes tips on how SMEs can make sure they are showcasing their strengths during the bidding process. This will be backed up by online webinar sessions for small businesses.

The guide also gives guidance on how businesses can secure work through supply chains by working with larger companies to help deliver things such as long-running IT or catering projects.

It also goes a step further, advising how the government considers Social Value when choosing suppliers.

Cabinet Office Minister Lord Agnew said: “In the most recent figures, SMEs won more than £15billion in government contracts. But we want it to be easier for them to work with government and this guide, published in support of Small Business Saturday, will help small businesses navigate what can be a complex world of public procurement. That’s why we’re also bringing in sweeping procurement rules changes, to make it easier and more flexible for SMEs to win government work.”