Tendering for Government Contracts

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Subcontracting opportunities

Many of the highest-value government contracts are let to large companies. However, small companies can still play a part in these contracts, perhaps as subcontractors or by forming consortia. There is no single way of finding out about subcontracting opportunities, although OGC is encouraging large suppliers to government to make subcontracting opportunities available via their websites. Public-sector organisations may give you information about their main contractors or you might identify and contact a supplier who has won a major contract, for example through OJEU.

In recent years Public Private Partnership (PPP) and Private Finance Initiative (PFI) contracts have become more popular. Although it may not be appropriate for small and new businesses to take on these high-value and long-term contracts, there are many opportunities for subcontracting and consultancy work. Guidance on both PPP and PFI is available from the Office of Government Commerce and from HM Treasury in the PDF document PFI:Meeting the Investment Challenge.