APSCo targets government procurement consultation

The Association of Professional Staffing Companies (APSCo) has launched an SME Public Sector Procurement Working Party to provide evidence to the government’s procurement consultation.
Thu, 26 Sep 2013The Association of Professional Staffing Companies (APSCo) has launched an SME Public Sector Procurement Working Party to provide evidence to the government’s procurement consultation.

The consultation aims to make public sector procurement more accessible to SMEs.

Samantha Hurley, head of external relations at APSCo, who is running the project, told Recruiter: “The consultation was launched a week ago. I think a lot of the problem is that the requirements in the [government tender documents] Pre Purchasing Questionnaires are so clearly geared towards larger companies. Simplifying the issue could make a big difference.”

This government’s consultation runs until 17 October 2013 and sets out a number of principles that aim to simplify and standardise the advertising, bidding and payment of public contracts.

However, Affi Khan, managing director of healthcare recruiter RIG Locums, which deals with NHS procurement, told Recruiter they have not had many issues with the process.

“We believe the government is taking ample measures to open all public sector recruitment contracts to SMEs and in our opinion the procurement process is fair to all potential suppliers.”

Cross-continent MoU could boost environmental health profession amid recruitment struggles

An agreement has been signed, which could help boost recruitment of environmental health officers (EHOs) globally.

Contracts 8 May 2025

NEW TO THE MARKET: 5-9 MAY 2025

This week’s new launches include: Heidrick & Struggles, Matrix, ProdigyPB, Project Brains

New to Market 6 May 2025

Humly acquires London-based education recruiter

Digital education recruitment platform Humly has finalised the purchase of London-based supply agency Future Education.

Contracts 1 May 2025

NHS Trust plans to cut jobs and agency staff

The BBC reports today [30 April 2025] that the North-West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust is planning job cuts, as well as cutting its expenditure on bank and agency staff.

30 April 2025
Top