Doing business with government: guide for SMEs
This page provides support for small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) on bidding for government contracts.
The government wants to buy from small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) every time they are the best value for money. We have changed the way we buy goods and services to help more SMEs to bid for our contracts.
The government has made changes to help SMEs bid for public sector contracts. These include:
- requiring the entire public sector supply chain to be paid within 30 days
- buying in a simpler and quicker way eg abolishing pre-qualification questionnaires for low value public sector contracts
- requiring the public sector to publish its contracts on Contracts Finder
Find out more about the government’s procurement reforms and see Lord Young’s report on small firms 2010 to 2015.
Read more about government buying from SMEs.
Contact the Crown Commercial Service (CCS) for any specific questions on doing business with government. Telephone the servicedesk on 0345 010 3503 or email supplier@crowncommercial.gov.uk.
Tips for SMEs bidding for government contracts
Build below the threshold
The quickest way to build up a government customer base is to start with low value procurements. To start with, aim for opportunities under £100,000 where government has abolished Pre-Qualification Questionnaires (PQQs). Building up your base this way is a great foundation for competing for bigger sales in the future.
Be part of the conversation
If the first time you spot the opportunity, it’s already formally gone to the market, you are behind the game. Pre-market engagement is your opportunity to shape the formal tender:
- sign up for email alerts on Contracts Finder
- monitor PINs and register your interest in future procurements
- attend information days and public sector ‘product surgeries’
- register with the eSourcing tool for future opportunities
Play to your strengths
Recent studies of public sector procurers show that they see SMEs as flexible, quicker to react and able to offer better prices. Use the pre-market engagement to show this by reacting quickly to questions, offering options and evidence of where you’ve responded to change in the past. Recognise that you are likely to be cheaper than bigger players and show evidence that you offer value for money.
Look good in the exam
Understand that no matter how good you are you will not win unless you make your strengths clear on paper too. Think of it as an exam - answer the question, don’t elaborate and think about getting advice if it’s your first time. The public sector is making the process simpler but remember that it will rightly be held accountable for the procurement decisions it makes, in a way the private sector is not. Take the exam seriously.
Evidence matters
Cite evidence in your bid. If you say your system will show or do something, prove it: include a screen shot of how it works or other tangible evidence.
Find out more about how to become a Crown Commercial Service supplier and look for contract opportunities on Contracts Finder.
Public Procurement Review Service
Public Procurement Review Service service allows government suppliers and potential government suppliers to raise concerns anonymously about unfair public sector procurement practice. The government can then investigate and resolve these concerns. It also conducts spot checks on government buyers.
Use the service by completing the public procurement review service case request form
Updates to this page
Published 18 February 2013Last updated 25 October 2023 + show all updates
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Updated the contact details for the public procurement review service
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The Mystery Shopper Service has been rebranded the Public Procurement Review Service and the name has been updated to reflect this change
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Updated with information on recent reforms.
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New Mystery Shopper contact details
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Added information on proactive spot-checks on procurement.
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New section added - taking a pro-active approach. Includes details of Mystery Shopper scheme extension.
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Added video: Stephen Allott's top tips for SMEs.
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First published.