Government tender puts ‘hurdles in the way of SMEs’
Phil Fraser, MD of LGM, which procures and delivers communication services for publicly owned clients, has commented on the Government framework tender for marketing, valued at up to £520m.
The tender, which has five lots, looks to involve four agencies for two of the lots’ six agencies for another two, and eight for the final lot.
Fraser, who has worked with Manchester City Council and the Welsh Government, told The Drum: “I think that this tender puts a number of hurdles in the way for SMEs and regional suppliers. Having written and marked procurement exercises for government I know the amount of effort required to fill in the forms, especially if you are not used to the format and the language. I also find the small numbers of suppliers being chosen for each of the ‘Lots’ surprising.
“So it will be interesting to see if those selected include what the Cabinet Office have called ‘innovative suppliers and entrepreneurs – whatever their size’ and also if the government's localism agenda will be reflected in the final list.”