SME recruitment firms have been urged to scrutinise public sector contracts carefully and consult their peers before bidding for work, according to Liz Longman, UK director of independent recruiters’ network The Employment Agencies Movement (TEAM).

Longman’s comments follow the government announcement this week at a small business summit at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) that it is to make £236bn worth of public contracts more accessible to small firms.

Longman says: “Scrutinise what information the bid is actually look for, is there any area that requires support from another member discuss this beforehand before bidding, can you financially support the supply?  

“Ensure all questions are fully answered and in detail.  Members are able to openly discuss bids at regional and sector meetings and seek advice from other members and specialist suppliers, ie bid writing, factoring.  The members’ website supports quick and easy access to other members and suppliers.”