Supplier FAQ

If you have a question or want to raise an issue not covered below, you can do so by contacting servicedesk@cabinet-office.gsi.gov.uk

Q1) I’ve registered my interest; what do I need to do next to make sure I see all the opportunities?

A) As long as you’ve answered the basic questions (on contact details, sector and organisation size) we’ve asked, you will be emailed notifications of opportunities and how to apply for them as and when they arise. We’ll also use Contracts Finder to advertise these opportunities. By being on our supplier list you’ll also get information about future supplier engagement activities and be kept updated on the Programme.

Q2) When I answer the questions about the size and services provided by my company, will that restrict me to only seeing opportunities that fit those categories?

A) No, we send out all opportunities to all parties so you decide if you feel you can provide the services outlined or not. We use this information to help us ensure we are engaging with a large variety of suppliers

Q3) Previous contract advertisements have indicated you do not believe they are suitable to be delivered by Voluntary, Community and Social enterprises. Why has this been the case and are you open to reconsidering?

A) This was an oversight on our part. We expect the vast majority of opportunities will be suitable for the VCSE sector and will ensure this is correctly indicated in the future. Please let us know if you consider we have flagged suitability incorrectly for future opportunities by contacting servicedesk@cabinet-office.gsi.gov.uk

Q4) For previous contract opportunities you have used a number of methods to reduce the number of applicants you consider. Can you confirm how and why you reduced the number of applications and if you will be doing so again in the future?

A) With low value opportunities we are balancing the need for proportionality in the resource put into competing the opportunity (for both suppliers and procurers) with the need to support an open and thriving market.

We have tried a number of routes to doing this and will be reviewing the options in April/May with suppliers to ensure that, if we continue to reduce participant numbers in some way, we are using the best method. If you’d like to be involved in this review please make sure you are on our registered list of suppliers by contacting servicedesk@cabinet-office.gsi.gov.uk

Until this review has been carried out, all new MSP opportunities (excluding any which are procured via GPS or other pan-government frameworks) will be available to all suppliers that wish to participate (so any who express an interest will receive an ITT).

Q5) How often are opportunities going to arise?

A) New opportunities will arise on approximately a monthly basis. The scale and size of these opportunities is dependent on the individual referrals coming to us so cannot be predicted in advance. We will give the market as much notice as we can of our pipeline of opportunities, through both Contracts Finder and the registered supplier list.

Q6) How can we apply for opportunities when they arise?

A) How we make any contract opportunities available depends on the complexity, value and urgency of the requirement.

We are striving to make opportunities as open as possible and make extensive use of Contracts Finder (www.contractsfinder.businesslink.gov.uk), where information on how to apply for opportunities is also published.