Facilities managers working in the public sector could soon find it easier to place work with smaller businesses.
Adrian Pendle, managing director of Intersafe, says this is good news for facilities and estates managers, who will be able to work with more flexible and nimble contractors.
Plans have been announced by the Cabinet Office minister Chloe Smith proposing an SME-friendly ‘single market’ for public procurement. If the proposals go ahead, the way public contracts are advertised, bid for and paid will be simplified and standardised.
Adrian Pendle, who has led industry discussion on the subject of small vs large contractors in facilities management, welcomed the move.
He said: “Facilities managers are switching onto the benefits of working with smaller contractors over larger ones. Not only are smaller contractors often less expensive but they are more driven to provide a quality service and flexible in meeting clients’ needs.”
Adrian added: “Sometimes facilities and estates managers think that smaller contractors aren’t capable of carrying out big tasks, but in fact Intersafe is a prime example of this being a myth. We are an SME providing PAT testing, periodic inspection and other essential electrical testing services to some of the biggest companies and public sector organisations in the UK, including Cineworld, The Ministry of Defence and countless local authorities, schools, colleges and universities.”
Chloe Smith’s proposals include suggestions to ban burdensome pre-qualification questionnaire for low value public sector contracts, and introducing a single, standardised requirement for high value contracts. They also moot introducing a requirement for all public sector contracts over £10,000 to be accessible on the same site.
She has also written to MPs, asking them to approach their local authorities to make sure they are doing everything possible to support SMEs and ask them to publish their contract opportunities on the Government’s Contracts Finder website.
Read Adrian Pendle’s full piece on small vs large contractors on Facilities Management Journal’s website or call Intersafe on 02380 236200 to find out more about electrical testing services for the public sector.
