History
Business Information Publications (BiP) was formed by Ron and Les Burges in 1984 to produce the first comprehensive journal of public sector contracts in the UK – Contrax Weekly.
The company changed its name to BiP Solutions in 2004, to better reflect the range of procurement services it provided.
By publishing all UK public sector contracts together, BiP helped the public sector to reach a wider range of potential suppliers than ever before, while the private sector benefited from direct access to all public sector contracts published in the UK.
Over 25 years, BiP has earned a reputation for delivering innovative solutions to both its public and private sector clients. The company’s unrivalled knowledge and expertise within the public procurement sector has seen it become the provider of choice to public authorities in the UK and overseas.
Key dates
Today, BiP Solutions employs more than 220 people at its Glasgow HQ, all of whom are focused on the creation, delivery or support of services and products designed to satisfy the needs of its many thousands of customers, buyers and suppliers alike.
Independent research shows that BiP’s Tracker service contains up to 291% more UK and Irish contract information than the Official Journal of the European Union.
BiP launches the first national procurement exhibition, Procurex National, held at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham. Procurex National built upon the success of Procurex Scotland, and attracted over 3000 delegates.
BiP continues to develop its overseas consultancy business with consultancy projects for the governments of Kosovo, Macedonia and Montenegro.
The company also completes the acquisition of Tenders Ireland, so strengthening its presence in the Irish market.
Procurex Scotland confirms its status as the leading event of its type.
BiP moves to its new premises – Medius – situated in the heart of Glasgow’s Digital Media Quarter, and celebrates its 25th anniversary of trading.
BiP launches the Supply National SME Engagement Programme, aimed at encouraging small businesses to tender for and win public sector contracts.
BiP is awarded the first stage of a major consultancy review of the Macedonian Public Procurement Bureau by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The company also commences a contract to develop, host and maintain the CompeteFor portal for London 2012 contract opportunities in partnership with service provider Serco plc, and also to provide buyer engagement services for the CompeteFor portal.
BiP launches the Procurex Scotland event, the first public and private sector conference and exhibition of its kind. Procurex Scotland also sees the launch of the Government Opportunities (GO) magazine Excellence in Public Procurements Awards for Scotland, which build upon the success of the national GO Awards.
The company publishes its two millionth contract since it was formed, and also achieves the information security standard ISO 27001.
BiP is announced as the AXA Small to Medium Business of the Year in the National Business Awards for Scotland.
BiP also delivers the eTenders portal on behalf of UAE Armed Forces General HQ, and procurement consultancy services to the Kenyan Ministry of Education.
BiP is awarded a five-year contract by the Small Business Service (then part of the Department of Trade and Industry, now the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills) to create, manage and commercially exploit a UK Government internet-based lower-value public sector contract opportunities service. The Supply2.gov.uk portal was successfully launched in July 2006 and there were more than 200,000 registered users at May 2010.
BiP’s supplier accreditation service, Select Accredit, is launched to service the growing demand for the pre-qualification of suppliers. Select Accredit is endorsed by the Society of Procurement Officers in Local Government (SOPO).
2006 sees the introduction of the Contrax online and email alert contract notification service, building on the longstanding success of Contrax Weekly magazine.
In 2005, an expert Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) service is launched to provide mediation for all aspects of contract-related disputes. The service is provided in association with the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.
In 2004, the Procurement Advice and Support Service (PASS) consultancy service is launched to provide one-to-one support for customers with specific procurement issues. The company's online supplier information database service, Select, was adopted by the National Health Service under the title of NHS-sid in 2003.
In 2002, MOD Defence Contracts Bulletin (MOD DCB), published under licence by the UK MOD, is launched. The print publication is followed by an online service, www.contracts.mod.uk.
The National GO Awards are launched. Now in their ninth year, the GO Awards have become the most coveted of their type.
BiP launches its first electronic tendering service in 1998 – Project. Further eTendering product launches follow, including the expansion of Project into a comprehensive eSourcing system – Delta-ets, and BiP’s flagship business intelligence service – Tracker.
In 1993, BiP is awarded its first third-party contract; to publish the Cabinet Office procurement magazine now known as Government Opportunities (GO). Other high-profile contracts follow from the Ministry of Defence and the National Health Service, and the company becomes a key marketing associate for such public sector bodies as the Health Care Supply Association, Central Buying Consortium (CBC) and Society of Procurement Officers in Local Government (SOPO).
The company holds its first seminar in 1992, on the subject of the impact of EU legislation on public sector contracts. Subsequently, it has hosted and managed events for major organisations such as the Ministry of Defence, Office of Government Commerce, Inland Revenue and Scottish Government. In 2010, the company will be responsible for more than 200 events, including Procurex National and the third annual Procurex Scotland event.
As the company grows throughout the 1980s and 1990s, its expertise in the procurement marketplace became increasingly recognised by central government.
BiP Solutions (formerly Business Information Publications) is founded by Ron and Les Burges in 1984 to produce the first comprehensive journal of public sector contracts information in the UK – Contrax Weekly.
For news of developments at BiP Solutions, please click here.
