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MOD – LOWERING THE BARRIERS FOR SMES
Source: BiP,
31 MAY 2007
With an annual procurement spend of £18 billion, the
Ministry of Defence (MoD) is not just UK industry’s
single biggest customer, but also one of its most influential
and important buyers.
Now, assisted by BiP Solutions, the MoD is further enhancing
its reputation as a forward-thinking organisation by lowering
the thresholds at which its contract opportunities are advertised,
and making them available through MoD Defence Contracts Bulletin
(MoD DCB) and the national lower-value contracts portal Supply2.gov.uk
– both of which are provided by BiP.
From 30 June 2007 MoD buyers will be required to advertise
all ‘non-warlike’ requirements with a value of
over £40,000, and will also have the option to advertise
requirements valued as low as £20,000. The MoD has requirements
for virtually every product and service imaginable, so this
step is a huge boost for businesses, and particularly small
and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Philip Margerison, Head of the MoD’s Defence Suppliers
Service, said:
“The lowering of contract thresholds is good news
for all businesses that currently supply to, or are looking
to supply to, the MoD and also for buying teams within the
MoD. By increasing the visibility of the diverse range of
products and services required by the MoD, there is greater
opportunity for all sectors to get involved in the defence
supply chain. As a result, MoD acquisition teams will benefit
from increased diversity and innovation from suppliers.”
The MoD uses BiP’s Project e-notice service to create,
manage and transmit its contract opportunities efficiently
and compliantly. By using Project to create its lower-value
contract opportunities, the MoD ensures that these also appear
on the Supply2.gov.uk service; so ensuring compliance with
national and European Commission best practice guidance in
this area.
Now it is even easier for your organisation to join the
MoD in embracing the SME community. BiP is currently offering
a free Project licence to buyers not already using the service,
and a free additional licence to existing users.
To find out more about this offer, contact the Public
Sector Solutions Team on:
0845 270 7090, visit: www.delta.ets.com, or email: psst@bipsolutions.com
For more information on MoD DCB and Supply2.gov.uk, visit:
www.contracts.mod.uk
and: www.supply2.gov.uk respectively.
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