subject: Public Contract Opportunities For Uk Based Small Enterprises [print this page] In the UK, the government and the public bodies have shown an inclination towards a wider approach in procurement. In the recent years, the procurement laws have also proven to be friendly towards small and medium enterprises. This has resulted in opening of tendering opportunities for small enterprises in the country.
Gone are the days when small business owners thought of public contracts to be out of their league. The favourability of landing a public tender does not lie on the size of the enterprise; rather it is their capacity to deliver what is expected in the tender. Small and medium enterprises are chosen by public bodies for ensuring the best value for money and not on the basis of their turnover.
Another factor that works for the benefit of smaller companies is their flexibility. Large corporations are bound to follow a certain protocol during operations, whereas, small enterprises offer ample flexibility. Small enterprises take the free and open approach and are willing to work closely with clients. This ensures that they have a better and clearer understanding of what the public body wants. So, if you are a small enterprise owner, you too can make a winning bid by ensuring that your tender is prepared professionally, highlighting your capabilities, your previous success stories and encapsulating what you can do better than anybody else. While making a bid, be sure to keep your replies are:
* Timely.
* Compliant.
* Detailed.
* Follow the Notice list order.
* Any additional information is indexed.
* Your company's accreditation is included prominently.
* Your quality and training system is highlighted well.
If you are still unsure about why would a public body award a contract to a small enterprise, then you should understand that in the recent years there has been a definite shift in the approach of local authorities. They have been noted to take an all inclusive approach towards the tendering process. Factors like market warming and enabling the suppliers (irrespective of their size) are now affecting the choices made by the local public authorities.
As a small enterprise owner, you can achieve success in public procurement by understanding the legislative frameworks that bind the government bodies, and also comprehending the criteria against which the authority officials will evaluate your tender response. Another thing you must ensure is to be up to scratch when it comes to the environmental, health and other related requirements of the policy. In other words, you have to be aware of as well as prepared for the every aspect of procurement legislation, so that you take up the best practices while executing the contract.
To be on top of things, you need to have an effective communication channel with the authorities. To grab government contracts, you can register on the national and regional level portals run by the Regional Development Authorities (RDA's). Another strategy could be to get into consortium to bid for larger tenders.
EU procurement laws are also aimed at making the tendering process more transparent. A minimum mandatory standstill period of ten clear days has to be ensured by the local public authorities. This period must take place prior to notifying unsuccessful bidders and the contract tenure begins. All these laws and changes in the local bodies procurement process indicate that the time is right for your small enterprise to make the winning bid!
