The Crown Commercial Service launches an updated SME action plan featuring early networking, transparency initiatives, and improved digital access to empower small businesses in securing public sector contracts.
The Crown Commercial Service (CCS) has announced an updated Small and Medium-sized Enterprise (SME) action plan aimed at reducing barriers and making it easier for SMEs to bid for public sector contracts. The plan, set for implementation over the next 12 to 18 m...
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onths, outlines seven key actions designed to enhance SME engagement and increase their share of government procurement opportunities.
Central to the plan is the promotion of early networking opportunities through regional “Meet the Buyer” events, enabling SMEs to connect with CCS, public sector buyers, and other SMEs. This early engagement is intended to boost SMEs’ understanding of available opportunities and the guidance that CCS offers. In addition, CCS will continue to publish supplier-specific articles offering expert advice tailored to the SME community’s feedback, providing practical support throughout the contracting process.
Transparency is another cornerstone of the strategy, with CCS committing to publishing recorded overviews of upcoming commercial agreements expected to be tendered within six months. This initiative aims to help SMEs better anticipate and prepare their bidding pipelines. Furthermore, CCS will produce clear guidance to assist SMEs in navigating contract terms and conditions during tendering, enabling them to optimise their bidding time effectively.
The plan also underscores the importance of digital accessibility, with CCS pledging to increase signposting to the Central Digital Platform (CDP) via GOV.UK, ensuring SMEs can find and use this vital tool more easily. Additionally, CCS intends to provide public sector buyers with up-to-date, comprehensive spend data. This data will clarify available SMEs under live CCS agreements and help buyers track their spending targets with SMEs, thereby supporting greater SME participation.
Internally, CCS will improve procurement processes to consistently consider SME needs throughout the commercial agreement lifecycle, ensuring that SME goals and benefits are clearly recognised and supported.
Richard Denney, Commercial Operations Director and Senior Sponsor for SMEs at CCS, emphasised that SMEs have long been vital to commercial agreements, recognising their value in supply chains and wider economic contributions. Speaking to Wired Gov, he highlighted how the updated plan aims to show SMEs how they can collaborate effectively with CCS, find opportunities, and overcome bidding barriers, while helping government customers deliver greater value through their commercial activities.
This initiative aligns with broader government efforts to increase SME participation in public procurement, which is seen as key to fostering economic growth and innovation. Other government departments such as the Cabinet Office, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) have similarly published action plans to strengthen SME inclusion in their supply chains. These plans often share common goals such as improving contract visibility, simplifying procurement processes, and bolstering SME confidence to engage with government contracts.
Beyond individual departments, there is a growing government-wide focus on ensuring that public procurement not only supports economic growth but also promotes social value. For example, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is working to enhance understanding of Voluntary, Community, and Social Enterprise organisations to increase their participation in procurement, reflecting the government’s commitment to social impact alongside economic objectives.
Overall, the CCS SME action plan represents a comprehensive and timely effort to empower smaller businesses, helping them navigate public sector procurement complexities and expand their footprint within government contracting. Through its multifaceted approach—combining early engagement, clear guidance, transparency, data-driven buyer support, and process improvements—the plan aims to create a more inclusive and accessible environment for SMEs, which remains a vital driver of the UK economy.
Source: Noah Wire Services
