Free access to Government contracts for small businesses

For the next two months, the www.supply2.gov.uk website is allowing new registrants to gain free access to public sector contracts valued under £100,000 for the UK and Northern Ireland.

The free trial is part of the Department for Business’ Enterprise Strategy which was released in March, which outlined new measures to increase the amount of government business that is won by small firms.

Small businesses who register can benefit from:

• Daily email notification of Government contract opportunities relevant to your business
• Promotion of your company to the public sector market
• Online contract search facility
• Resources to assist you when tendering
• Market intelligence

To register for the 3-month free national upgrade trial and for further information please visit www.supply2.gov.uk before 31 July 2008.

Business Minister Shriti Vadera said:

“Small and medium sized businesses need our support to expand. Many smaller businesses are more innovative, have lower costs and present better value for taxpayers than larger firms.

“Introducing Britain’s small firms to Government procurement contracts online will provide opportunities to grow that they would not have otherwise found. Encouraging more small businesses to register for opportunities will mean buyers benefit from increased competition and access to a wider range of suppliers.”