National Procurement Policy Statement – how can you align and improve your bids?
What does the NPPS mean for you?
If you are an SME looking to secure public sector contracts then this document can usefully guide reflection on what you can do to strengthen your service and product offers and future bid responses.
Even if you’ve already got ‘stock’ bid responses that you’ve used before – it’s worth reviewing these and seeking opportunities for alignment, as closely as possible, with the intentions set out in the Policy Statement.
The following aspects of the Policy Statement are worthy of particular consideration (even if you’re already familiar with them):
- minimising waste
- reducing greenhouse gas emissions
- use of green technologies
- addressing specific skills gaps
- facilitating access to training and other development opportunities
- recruit from economically inactive cohorts
- recruit from groups that struggle to access employment opportunities
There are clear themes here including around Social Value, Social Mobility and Net Zero.
What are you already doing on these areas? Could you do more? Having a more compelling story to tell in these areas can help you improve your bid success; you can reflect your updated story and offer in your next bid.
There’s also good news for SMEs and VCSEs in the statement including the intent for Contracting authorities to maximise procurement spend with SMEs and VCSEs. Give yourself the best chance of securing that future spend by reviewing your existing policies and approaches and seeing what more you can do.
If you need help with any of this or are in need of tender support services now then please drop us a line!
You can find the full National Procurement Policy Statement here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/67ab330e1a116437c7ed88da/E03274856_National_Procurement_Policy_Statement_Elay.pdf
