Small businesses get free cccess to public sector contracts

A free trial has been launched this month to provide small and medium-sized businesses with access to thousands of public sector contract opportunities.

Until 31 July the supply2 website will allow new registrants to gain free access to public sector contracts valued under £100,000 for the UK. The free trial is part of the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform's Enterprise Strategy, which outlined new measures to increase the amount of government business that is won by small firms.

The trial is available to businesses registering for the first time, and will provide access to contracts throughout the UK rather than in a nominated local area. Once the free trial is over, the registrant will revert to the free local area access as specified at registration, unless they select to maintain access at the national level or upgrade to an alternative level. New registrants after 31 July 2008 will only benefit from the free local location.

Further information about the Enterprise Strategy is available online at:

www.berr.gov.uk/bbf/enterprise-smes/enterprise-framework/index.html