Dodds encourages local firms to avail of procurement opportunities

Finance Minister, Nigel Dodds, has highlighted the number of opportunities that exist for locally based Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) to bid for Government contracts.

The Minister also encouraged local firms to register their interest in tendering for Government work, which they can do free of charge.

Speaking about the breadth of opportunities that existed, the Minister said: “This year the Executive will be putting £2.2billion worth of procurement spend out for tender. This figure has grown by £600million in the last five years.

“Much of this spend is focused on major construction projects, however a significant proportion of it is aimed at procuring supplies and services for the public sector.

“SMEs are ideally placed to avail of these opportunities and, indeed, traditionally secure the lion’s share of this work.

“Nevertheless, I am keen to encourage more local firms to avail of the opportunities that exist.

“At present, for example, my Department have 37 contracts out to tender, for work ranging from the supply of computers for the civil service through to acquiring mobile machinery for infrastructure works.

“The combined value of this work is £6.5million, forms one small part of the wider public sector procurement spend at present, and provides an ideal opportunity for local firms to avail of this record level of Government spend.

“I would encourage local SMEs to sign up and register their details with the Central Procurement Directorate to ensure they can take advantage of the opportunities on offer.”

Details of all these offerings and all up-coming opportunities are available at the Central Procurement Directorate e-sourcing portal at www.e-sourcingni.bravosolution.com or visit www.dfpni.gov.uk for links to all Centres of Procurement Expertise.

All those interested in seeking to tender for government opportunities can register their details on the site at no cost.

Notes to Editors:

Media enquiries only to DFP Communications Office on 028 9052 7644 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.