Contracts Finder is the official Government web site for information on public sector contract opportunities. Visit www.contractsfinder.businesslink.gov.uk for more information.
The Contracts Finder portal will have details on contracts worth over £10,000 from central government departments and their agencies. Local government bodies are also being encouraged to make their opportunities available on this service. You will be able to search for contracts by keywords relevant to your business, location and minimum/maximum values. You will also be able to register for email alerts and add your business details to the supplier directory.
Contracts Finder covers the whole of the UK but there are additional websites that have information on public sector contracts for individual countries;
For Northern Ireland: https://e-sourcingni.bravosolution.co.uk/web/login.shtml
For Scotland: www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk
For Wales: www.sell2wales.co.uk
Ministers have ordered government departments to cut the paperwork required to apply for public sector contracts and the Cabinet Office has removed the need for pre-qualification questionnaires (PQQs) on any contract below £100k. If a government department or quango does request a PQQ for jobs below £100k then SMEs can notify the Cabinet Office service desk. Unfortunately, they will not be able to offer practical help to companies trying to win work on a particular contract, but will make representations to the department concerned to change their practices, Tel: 0845 000 4999, Email: servicedesk@cabinet-office.gis.gov.uk.
We would like to know of any companies approaching the Cabinet Office, so if you do email them, please could you copy Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, into your email at brianberry@fmb.org.uk.
In Scotland contact the Single Point of Enquiry if you have concerns about a specific tender exercise. They will work with you and the buying organisation to try to resolve your concerns although they do not have formal powers to investigate suppliers' concerns or change decisions made by buying organisations. Telephone: 0141 242 5466 or email: SPOEprocurement@scotland.gsi.gov.uk.
