By Paul Dicken
05 June 2009
A lack of transparent evaluation and feedback in procurement is one of several barriers preventing small and medium-sized enterprises in Wales from winning public sector contracts, research has found.
A report commissioned by the Welsh Assembly Government also found that complexity in the procurement process and difficulty in completing pre-qualification questionnaires for tenders were also factors.
The University of Glamorgan and research team Tenderwise, based at Bangor University and Trinity University College, Carmarthen, looked at pre-qualification material from 25 public sector organisations and canvassed the views of SMEs.
The report, Barriers to procurement opportunity, published on May 27, said Ireland had given powers to the auditor general to investigate procurement practices, raising the profile of transparency and compliance.
‘This is one route that should be considered and while not a recommendation, it is a useful indication of the level at which the issues might need to be addressed,’ the report said.
Recommendations included producing standard pre-qualification documentation, and that the Assembly Government look at eliminating ‘approved lists’ of suppliers in the public sector. An ombudsman should also be established to resolve complaints.
Finance and Public Service Delivery Minister Andrew Davies said the report would make an ‘important contribution to tackling barriers to procurement’ and that the recommendations applied to the whole public sector in Wales.
