FSB endorses Supply2.gov.uk service
23 January 2007
Leading business organisation the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has said that local authorities should be obliged to use the lower-value contracts portal Supply2.gov.uk in order to aid better government buying.
BiP Solutions is the service provider for Supply2.gov.uk, which is owned by the Department of Trade and Industry’s Small Business Service. The service allows public sector organisations to publicise their lower-value contracts at no cost, and businesses can view such contracts in the area of their choice free of charge.
The FSB, which has over 200,000 members, endorsed Supply2.gov.uk as part of a recent call to all levels of government on behalf of small businesses to remember that smarter buying will also save money for the taxpayer.
The organisation claims that applying measures such as the use of Supply2.gov.uk to advertise contracts will help small firms compete and provide buyers with wider competition for their contracts.
Clive Davenport, FSB Trade and Industry Chairman, said: "The FSB has been calling for a web portal for public sector contracts, including lower-value contracts (typically under £100,000), for some time. Supply2.gov.uk should produce healthy competition, better value for money and a fairer deal for businesses that do not have the time and resources to cope with expensive and complicated tendering processes. We therefore welcome the introduction of this initiative and we encourage local authorities and small businesses to get fully behind it."
Since it launched in June 2006, Supply2.gov.uk has become a valuable business tool for thousands of buyers and suppliers. Over 26,000 contracts have been advertised on the portal, while the number of registered suppliers is now in excess of 35,000.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
About BiP Solutions Ltd:
* established in 1984, with 150 staff based in Glasgow
* one of Europe’s leading providers of public sector contracts information
* publisher of Government Opportunities magazine
* service provider of the Supply2.gov.uk lower-value contracts portal
* service provider of the MoD’s Defence Contracts Bulletin
* also provides procurement consultancy, training and events
More information on BiP Solutions Ltd can be found at www.bipsolutions.com
For more information or interview requests, contact Rhona-Mairead Sweeting on 0141 270 7343 / 07719 646014 or rhona.sweeting@bipsolutions.com
