Questionnaire for public procurers and those representing contracting authorities

You have told us that you are a public procurer. We are interested in hearing your views on the role that Small and Medium Sized enterprises can play in public procurement. In particular, we are interested in the following, including any specific examples you are able to provide. Please use the following spaces to give us your views and suggestions.

What is a Small and Medium Sized enterprise?

The Glover Review will use the EU definition, based on Recommendation 2003/361/EC:

Medium-sized:
Employees: < 250
Turnover: maximum EUR 50 million
Total Balance Sheet: maximum EUR 43 million

Small:
Employees: < 50
Turnover: maximum: maximum EUR 10 million
Total Balance Sheet: maximum EUR 10 million

Micro:
Employees: < 10
Turnover: maximum EUR 2 million
Total Balance Sheet: maximum EUR 2 million

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There are fields that require attention before the form can be submitted.

What do you think are the advantages of engaging SMEs in the supply chain (citing any personal experience if applicable)? (required, max 3000 characters)

Please enter a value (Maximum 3000 characters).

What do you think are the disadvantages of engaging SMEs in the supply chain (citing any personal experience if applicable)? (required, max 3000 characters)

Please enter a value (Maximum 3000 characters).

Please tell us what are you doing to enable SME participation in your procurement, both as prime contractors and as sub-contractors: (required, max 3000 characters)

Issues you may wish to consider when responding:

Do you have procurement pages on your website? How do you communicate the availability of contracts falling below the EU threshold? When seeking tenders what is the minimum period they are advertised for?
Do you use www.supply2.gov.uk, www.contstructionline.co.uk , or www.competefor.com? Do you use e-procurement?
How do you determine the size, duration or geographic scope of contract opportunities?
Do you use supplier lists or framework agreements? How frequently are these refreshed?
Do you use OGC standard contract terms and Pre Qualification Questionnaires? If not, why not?
Do you require businesses to exceed statutory requirements - e.g. in areas such as health and safety, employment law, environmental or other matters? If so please explain why.

Please enter a value (Maximum 3000 characters).

Please tell us about any action that you have taken to diversify your supplier base, and manage any potential risks in doing so: (required, max 3000 characters)

Issues you may wish to consider when responding:

What do you do to mitigate the risk of supplier failure?
How do you ensure risk management measures are proportionate to the size of the contract or risk?
What is your approach when assessing value for money in terms of balancing cost against the possibility that the supplier might fail?
Do you find it easy to access advice or best practice on public procurement matters? Do you refer to OGCs Policy and Standards Framework?
Have staff in your procurement team undertaken training on the public procurement process?

Please enter a value (Maximum 3000 characters).

Please tell us about any improvements you think Government could make to enable SME participation in public procurement: (required, max 3000 characters)

Please enter a value (Maximum 3000 characters).

The committee is collecting evidence of the feasibility of a target proportion of public procurement being secured by SMEs. Please tell us any views you have on this: (required, max 3000 characters)

Please enter a value (Maximum 3000 characters).

Please define your organisation as one of the following: (required)

Please make a selection.

What is your role within your organisation? (required)

Please make a selection.

What is the procurement budget for your work area? (required)

Please make a selection.

What is the procurement budget for your organisation (if known)? (required)

Please make a selection.

If you would be happy to be contacted further in connection with this project, please provide your contact details in the box below:

(Maximum 3000 characters)

There following fields require attention before the form can be submitted:

What do you think are the advantages of engaging SMEs in the supply chain (citing any personal experience if applicable)?
What do you think are the disadvantages of engaging SMEs in the supply chain (citing any personal experience if applicable)?
Please tell us what are you doing to enable SME participation in your procurement, both as prime contractors and as sub-contractors.
Please tell us about any action that you have taken to diversify your supplier base, and manage any potential risks in doing so.
Please tell us about any improvements you think Government could make to enable SME participation in public procurement.
The committee is collecting evidence of the feasibility of a target proportion of public procurement being secured by SMEs. If you think small firms in your sector do not get a sufficient share of contract opportunities please let us have your views on any barriers as you see them or suggested measures the Government might take to address this?
Please define your organisation as one of the following.
What is your role within your organisation?
What is the procurement budget for your work area?
What is the procurement budget for your organisation (if known)?
If you would be happy to be contacted further in connection with this project, please provide your contact details in the box below.
Would you like your response kept confidential?

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Questionnaire for public procurers and those representing contracting authorities

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There following fields require attention before the form can be submitted: