Dodds welcomes conference on government procurement

Finance Minister, Nigel Dodds, congratulated the Construction Employers Federation (CEF) on its plans for today’s conference on ‘Government Construction Procurement - Visibility of Opportunity’.

Speaking in advance of the conference the Minister said: “CEF is an important industry partner, playing a key role in the Construction Industry Group’s engagement with Government to develop the Construction Industry Forum (CIFNI) - Procurement Task Group Report.

“The report represents a landmark in government construction procurement in Northern Ireland and I would encourage all key representatives of the construction industry to attend the conference and hear how government and industry will take forward the procurement of construction projects in the future.”

Mr Dodds continued: “Delegates will be able to hear directly from senior staff in Central Procurement Directorate how the important measures agreed with the Construction Industry Group and included within the Task Group Report will be implemented. Of particular interest, to many smaller firms, will be those actions specifically aimed at providing opportunities for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs).

Delegates will hear how CIFNI working groups will review the minimum levels of financial standing required by those tendering to ensure that they are proportionate to the contract size, examine tender arrangements to allow SMEs to join together to bid for larger projects and accept relevant experience in lieu of specific experience of a particular market sector.

The Minister concluded: “I understand just how important it is, given the current economic climate, that the construction industry is kept fully informed of government’s procurement plans.

“Other measures within the report, including the development of a standard Pre-Qualification Questionnaire, will reduce the cost of bidding and of evaluating tenders and will be of direct benefit to companies at a time when costs must be controlled. This is a very real example of how the devolved administration is delivering practical assistance to local industry.”

Notes to Editors:

1. The Conference, to be held in Stormont Hotel, Belfast is supported by the Central Procurement Directorate (CPD) and the Strategic Investment Board (SIB).
2. A Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ) is the initial document completed by tenderers in response to a procurement opportunity. The information contained within the PQQ will be evaluated by Government Construction Clients to select the best suppliers to be shortlisted and invited to tender for the contract.
3. Media enquiries to DFP Communications Office on 028 9052 7278 or 028 9052 27375. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.