Small businesses urged to bid for Government contracts

Small firms are being urged to take advantage of public sector contracts, by signing up to the Supply2.gov.uk website.

The portal provides information on thousands of lower-value Government contracts which are open to small businesses. Around 3,000 new opportunities are advertised each month, and contracts are typically worth less than £100,000.

Advertisers include local Government, health, education and housing authorities, the emergency services and the Olympic Delivery Authority.

Over 123,000 companies have signed up to the site, which has recently been refreshed to make it more user-friendly. The service includes advice on accessing contracts, together with a daily email alert notifying business owners of relevant opportunities.

Lord Mandelson, Secretary of State, said, 'Every year the Government spends many billions of pounds on public sector contracts. It is vital that we actively help small and medium sized companies take advantage of these business opportunities. In the current economic climate this is more important than ever'.

'SMEs often have smaller overheads, local knowledge and great flexibility. Often they can offer the public sector better value for money than big business.'