Procurement is often seen as a source of "blockage", particularly during a recession, when it can seem to be too bureaucratic and unwieldly:

• To release public projects quickly to enable quick opportunities for employment
• To provide opportunities for local businesses to be employed and therefore local skills used
• To facilitate opportunities for smaller companies who lack resource to compete for local contracts.

Whereas there is not much that can be done with existing public contracts, there are considerable opportunities to improve new public contracts, whether in frameworks or individual.

WMCCE briefed a Public Procurement consultant in late 2009 to work towards:

• Simplifying / standardising procurement processes, working across the public sector (including local authorities and other public authorities)
• Dissemination of case studies / good practice from Authorities to Authorities
• Practical help to support to contractors applying on tendering opportunities
• Continuing to rigorously promote Olympics opportunities to regional firms
• Establish a collaborative group of SMEs to bid for Local Authority contracts
• Engage Local Authorities / RSLs in LEAN programmes with contractors
• Seek out "kick start" funding if available.

Procurement is a major subject under the Construction Action Plan (Public Sector Contracts).

Link to Economic Inclusion at Advantage West Midlands - here

Link to HCA Employer Services offer - here

Link to Business Link On-line training course "Winning the Contract".