FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions This is the page where we’ll post your questions. Here are a few of the most general ones. Are all contracts below EU rules advertised? The answer is NO! About 33% are never advertised, about 33% sometimes and about 33% always. This means that you need to focus on which organisations are your key prospects and contact them to find out how and where they advertise their contracts. Make sure you are registered as a supplier with as many procurement websites as possible (e.g. www.nepoportal.org ) Isn’t most business awarded to companies already known to procurement officers? It’ s logical that incumbent suppliers have an edge. However where’s their weakness that you can exploit and provide a better solution. Sometimes being incumbent breeds complacency so sharpen your bid with the right ‘value for money’ content and you can overcome these perceptions. Will I be able to find out why I didn’t get a contract? Yes – it is mandatory under EU rules that you get feed-back within 2 weeks of your written request. However most procurement officers are delighted to give you a feed-back meeting. Usually they will explain the key reasons why you did not win. They’ll not give you details of competitor’s prices etc but will comment on your approach, presentation, pricing etc. Whilst feed-back is your right, please remember that procurement officers are human beings and so don’t get aggressive or abusive. Seek their help and you’re on your way to being a winner. I can’t provide three years of past accounts. Am I excluded? Local authorities especially now accept that SMEs cannot always provide past trading results. They know that many SMEs fall within the exemption of audited accounts under the Companies Act 1985. Many now focus on asking for a cash flow projection to answer their key question. Are you financially strong enough to cover the lifetime of the contract is their desire? Work out how you will demonstrate this. I’ve got less than 5 employees, why do I need a Health & Safety Policy? You don’t is the answer! But make sure you point out this is the reason and not your desire to avert Health & Safety requirements. Show your track records. See the H&S guides on the Downloads page Is there a central source to access Government Contracts below the EU threshold? At this moment NO! However Business Link and the SBS are developing a central database. Register free as a supplier by visiting www.supplyinggovernment.gov.uk Sometimes insurance levels seems to be too high and so unaffordable Procurement officers are being trained to evaluate true risks in a contract and so set appropriate levels of insurance. Suppliers will be asked to demonstrate they have the required levels of insurance prior to contract commencement NOT at the time of bidding. This means insurance may only need to be purchased if your bid is successful.