Supply2.gov.uk - Supplier Route to Government

The Society of Procurement Officers in Local Government (SOPO) engages in a range of activities to promote its strategic purchasing, contracting and supplies functions.

Representing over 2700 members, SOPO provides area networks and forums and produces guidance on best practice.

Its aim is to advise local authorities throughout England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland on all purchasing and supplies matters of national/general interest, and represent its members on other bodies to promote the society and its aims.

For further information please visit our web site at www.sopo.org.

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) is the largest campaigning pressure group promoting and protecting the interests of the self-employed and owners of small firms. Formed in 1974, it now has over 210,000 members across 33 regions and 230 branches. On the member benefits side, it offers assistance and support 24 hours a day, while its lobbying arm - led by the Westminster Press and Parliamentary office - applies pressure on MPs, Government and Whitehall, lobbies politicians in their constituencies and puts the FSB viewpoint over to the media.

For further information please visit our web site at www.fsb.org.uk

Business support organisation the Forum of Private Business (FPB) was established in 1977. It represents 25,000 UK-based private businesses, which together employ more than 600,000 people. The FPB is funded by its members, and offers a range of products and services aimed at saving them money. It also provides practical help with all aspects of running a smaller business, through a combination of helplines, email newsletters, practical business guides and a quarterly member publication. We also lobby on our members’ behalf for fair treatment by decision makers in the UK and in Europe.

For further information please visit out website at www.fpb.org

Chamber of Commerce East Lancashire (CCEL) is the only Chamber in the UK to have a dedicated supply chain division – ‘Chamber Supply Chain™’ (CSC). CSC has been in operation for over ten years, delivering procurement programmes to both the public and the private sectors. It specialises in working with public sector organisations in developing the potential of local provision and works with SMEs in developing their competencies to bid, quote and tender for public sector contracts. CCEL is the only Chamber in the UK to hold the accolade ‘Approved Study Centre’ from the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS), and is the host of the North Lancashire branch of CIPS.

For further information visit our website at www.chamberelancs.co.uk

New East Manchester Ltd is a partnership initiative between Manchester City Council, English Partnerships, the North West Development Agency and the communities of East Manchester. Its aim is to regenerate the areas of Ancoats, Beswick, Clayton, Gorton, Openshaw, Miles Platting and Newton Heath.

The Hull Business Forum is funded by Hull’s Local Strategic Partnership (ONE HULL) to provide detailed private sector input into Hull’s regeneration and economic development. Its unique relationship with the LSP has resulted in unprecedented business involvement with major local partnerships meaning that every business in Hull has the opportunity to express its views at a strategic level and contribute to the development of local policies. It is an example of best practice for LSP private sector engagement.

For further information please visit our web site at www.hullbusinessforum.com

The City of Edinburgh Council is responsible for providing a comprehensive range of services for it's residents, and in doing so is a large and diverse business with an annual spend of around £1 billion.

Edinburgh City region is a great location for businesses and The City of Edinburgh Council has a major role in ensuring investment and business growth continues to benefit its citizens.

For further information please visit our web site at www.edinburgh.gov.uk/internet

South Lanarkshire Council procures a wide spectrum of goods, services and works to support the delivery of key objectives. With an annual budget of £569 million, it is essential that the council identifies best value solutions through procurement exercises and complies with all the legal, environmental and ethical obligations involved in public procurement.

The council's Strategic Procurement Team takes a lead role in setting the direction, monitoring standards and promoting an effective procurement service. The council's e-procurement programme will transform the way it buys goods and services and trades with its suppliers.

For further information please visit our web site at www.southlanarkshire.gov.uk

West Sussex County Council deliver a wide range of services to West Sussex communities and buy a wide number and variety of goods, services, works and utilities. In total the Council spend around £400 million on bought-in goods and services, including highways, property, construction and social care, aiming to buy at the most effective level.

Southend-on-Sea Borough Council spends over £100 million each year on a wide range of products, services and works programmes. This represents some significant opportunities for a wide range of organisations across all sectors.

The Council are investing in the Corporate Procurement Unit to deliver Value for Money for the residents of the Borough. Effective procurement has a key role to play in regeneration of the town and although they are not permitted to favour local companies the Council is committed to ensuring equality of opportunity in being able to access its contracts.

For further information please visit our web site at www.southend.gov.uk

Bath and North East Somerset Council spends approximately £150 million a year procuring goods and services and a further £40 million on construction works and other capital projects.

The Corporate Procurement Team provides a strategic support role to these service areas and is focused on ensuring the Council’s Corporate Procurement Strategy is implemented effectively and in accordance with planned timescales.

The Corporate Procurement Team’s vision is: ´To ensure that the Council has the right knowledge and capacity to make informed procurement decisions that will provide the best services to the community.

For further information please visit our web site at www.bathnes.gov.uk/bathnes

Thurrock Council is a unitary local authority along the East Thames Corridor in the South East of England.  Thurrock borders with Greater London to the west, the River Thames to the south and the County of Essex to the north and east.

Being both on the river and right next to London, Thurrock is served with excellent communication links.  The M25 London Orbital Motorway, the high-speed rail links leading to the Channel Tunnel, the local railway line providing direct access to Central London, the Port of Tilbury and City of London airport make Thurrock an important and international centre. 

For further information please visit our web site at www.thurrock.gov.uk

Middlesbrough Council spends approximately £118 million a year procuring goods, services and works. The Council procures from large and small organisations covering both the private and voluntary sectors.

The Council procures through competitive tendering or via existing contracts and framework agreements tendered by public sector consortia such as the North East Purchasing Organisation (NEPO) or OGC (Office of Government Commerce) Buying Solutions. The Council’s Corporate Procurement Team provide procurement support to each of our service areas responsible for promoting and coordinating procurement best practice across the authority.

For further information please visit our web site at www.middlesbrough.gov.uk

Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council (SMBC) procures an extensive range of goods, services, works and capital projects to enable the efficient and cost-effective delivery of services and facilities to meet our customers’ needs.  This undertaking necessitates external annual expenditure of typically £2 million.

To manage this responsibility it is essential that we, in compliance with all public procurement legislation and obligations, identify best value solutions through working with suppliers and partners to offer the best services we can.

Our Corporate Procurement organisation provides support to each of our service areas and is responsible for promoting and coordinating procurement best practice across the authority.

To read more about SMBC: http://www.solihull.gov.uk/about/aboutcouncil.htm

To contact the Corporate Procurement organisation: http://www.solihull.gov.uk/tenders/rulesforcontracts.htm

Chorley Borough Council spends approximately £14 million (revenue and capital) each year within the private sector, providing commercial opportunities to organisations both large and small, and also those in the voluntary sector. The Council's Corporate Procurement Team provide procurement support to each of our service areas and is responsible for promoting and coordinating procurement best practice across the authority.

For further information on our procurement approach and opportunities

For further information please visit our web site at www.chorley.gov.uk/procurement

The London Borough of Sutton has a procurement spend on works, supplies and services in excess of ã150m/annum. The Council procures from businesses both large and small and voluntary sector organisations. The Council procures through competitive tender or via existing contracts and framework agreements tendered by other public sector organisations, or consortia such as the LCSG (London Contracts and Supplies Group) or OGC (Office of Government Commerce) Buying Solutions.

For further information please visit our web site at www.sutton.gov.uk/business/tendersandpurchasing.

St. Helens Council spends a considerable amount on the procurement of supplies, works and services, providing companies of all sizes with a wide range of business opportunities.
The Council has a statutory duty to ensure that the procurement of supplies, works and services represents the most cost-effective solution and that the best possible value for money has been achieved.

St. Helens Council aims to deliver high-quality services that best meet the current and future needs of local people and believes that services should be delivered by the organisation best able to meet these requirements.

For further information please visit our web site at www.sthelens.gov.uk

Barking and Dagenham is an outer London Borough to the east of the City on the north bank of the River Thames and within the M25 London Orbital Motorway.

The borough purchases services, supplies and works from many companies that range in value from a few pounds to many thousands of pounds. Key priorities for achieving the 2020 Vision for Barking and Dagenham include; increasing prosperity for all by encouraging the development of a well-educated and skilled workforce, increasing access to jobs, supporting existing businesses to grow and attracting new investment and opportunities.

For further information please visit our web site at www.barking-dagenham.gov.uk.

North East Lincolnshire Council spends £112 million a year on goods and services. How well we procure those goods and services has a critical impact on our performance and success.

The Council's approach to procurement is in keeping with the Community Strategy and its Corporate Plan, both customer–focused and driven by improving value for money. The Corporate Procurement Strategy sets the framework by which the Council will ensure that procurement across the Council delivers excellent value for money.

North East Lincolnshire Council's Corporate Procurement Strategy takes into account the national agenda as set out in the National Procurement Strategy. This is an ambitious strategy, which sets high standards for the Council and requires commitment to, and action and buy–in from, members, staff and suppliers so that North East Lincolnshire Council's citizens receive high-quality, cost-effective services.

For further information please visit our web site at www.nelincs.gov.uk

A single region-wide body, representing the interests of all the major business groupings - professional organisations and trade associations - the West Midlands Business Council (WMBC) operates at a strategic level - regionally, nationally and internationally to ensure business needs are taken on board - and acted on.

When it comes to the regional agenda – whether in the West Midlands conurbation, Warwickshire, Staffordshire, Shropshire, Worcestershire and Herefordshire - there is no shortage of issues that businesses want addressed – from the traffic jams to the skills gaps.

For further information please visit our web site at www.wmbusinesscouncil.org.uk/about.html

Watford Borough Council lets a large amount of contracts in many different categories using a number of different suppliers. Advertising and managing these contracts appropriately helps make sure the Council's rate payers receive value for money for services provided by the Council. The Contract Manager manages the contracts in accordance with best practice guidelines to ensure that we achieve maximum value and thus maximise service delivery.

For further information please visit our web site at www.watford.gov.uk

The University of the West of England (UWE) spends approximately £50 million a year on obtaining a wide range of supplies, works and services.

The purchasing team at UWE ensures that this £50 million budget is spent in accordance with the Public Contracts Regulations and that the University obtains value for money. The University is keen to work with SME’s.

For further information please visit our web site at www.uwe.ac.uk/finance/purchasing/welcome.

The University of Hull (UOH) spends over £50 million a year purchasing a wide range of supplies, works and services.

UOH ensures that this £50 million budget is spent in accordance with the Public Contracts Regulations and that the University obtains value for money. The University is keen to work with SME's.

For further information please visit our web site at www.hull.ac.uk/purchasing/SupplierAccess/SupplierInfo.htm.

The Hillingdon Hospital Trust is the main provider of acute health care to over 300,000 residents within the London Borough of Hillingdon. We aim to provide the best possible care, cure and comfort to the local community with the development of our culture and values to support the clinical excellence of our multicultural workforce.

For further information please visit our web site at www.thh.nhs.uk.

Somer Housing Group comprises Somer Community Housing Trust in Bath, Redland Housing Association based in Bristol, Bath Self Help Housing Association and Lantern Homes, making it the largest social landlord in the South West. The Group's newly centralised procurement function and strong involvement with the Westworks Consortium highlight the significance it attaches to value for money across the organisation.

The procurement function seeks to provide leading-edge procurement solutions across negotiable categories of expenditure in a professional, efficient and effective manner that supports the Group-wide business needs.

For further information please visit our web site at www.somerhousinggroup.co.uk.

The British Marine Federation (BMF) is the trade association for the leisure marine industry. It has over 1500 members drawn from both the seagoing and inland sectors of the marine industry covering the leisure boat, hire fleet, commercial workboat and superyacht categories and supporting services. There are 31 Region and Group Associations to represent specialist interests within the industry.

BMF services include assistance to members to operate and grow their own businesses effectively, such as technical information, training courses, legal advice and a dedicated International Business Development Department.  In addition, information is provided on a range of environmental, economic and political issues and members' views are represented to government and to regulators.

The BMF, through its subsidiary National Boat Shows, also runs the two leading boating exhibitions: the London Boat Show and the PSP Southampton Boat Show.

For further information please visit our web site at www.mod.uk/defenceinternet/home

The purpose of Devon Tenders is to support the procurement process for Devon Procurement Partnership. The site provides a range of procurement information. This includes guides to supplying the Authorities and links to a system allowing the advertising of tender opportunities and electronic tendering.

For further information please visit our web site at www.devon.gov.uk

The Asian Business Federation is a not-for-profit organisation established in 2000, by a panel of the UK's leading entrepreneurs. It is now the UK's largest Asian trade organisation representing, supporting and connecting thousands of members from across the UK.

For further information please visit our web site at www.abfed.co.uk

British Furniture Manufacturers (BFM) has been representing the interests of the furniture industry for more than 50 years. It has a broad-based membership covering domestic, contract, office and kitchen manufacturers as well as suppliers to the industry and retailers.

Our mission statement: "To represent the membership, safeguarding the interests and promoting the standards and competitiveness, both nationally and internationally, in conjunction with the provision of services which have an impact on members' businesses."

For further information please visit our web site at www.bfm.org.uk

The BPMA has been representing the promotional merchandise industry for over 40 years, ensuring high standards are kept among members and raising the profile of this vibrant sector.

Committed to high standards with such a fast growing industry, buyers must be confident that they are dealing with a reputable supplier and that the product or service they receive will be of the high quality they expect. The BPMA upholds a strict code of conduct that members must adhere to, and provides access to professional training and development resources to ensure members can continually improve their knowledge and expertise within the industry.

Our one-stop, online sourcing portal only features BPMA members in the search results, so buyers can be reassured they will receive the highest quality of service from whichever company they choose.

For further information please visit our web site at www.bpma.co.uk.

The British Centre Association (bca) specialises in providing support and guidance to owners and operators of centres, whilst setting industry standards and encouraging a network of excellence. In 2007, in line with the increasing status of the Association in the industry, the bca revised its code of conduct and best practice to further underpin the value and meaning of bca membership. Adherence to the Code by all members demonstrates a clear commitment to professional and ethical conduct and will help distinguish member centres from those operators which do not adhere to the same high standards.

The bca also provides an invaluable advice and location finder service for those seeking flexible workspace. The Association's web site www.bca.uk.com enables a free and impartial service which allows users to check out which business centre facilities are available in any town in the UK. It also allows for sophisticated searches for specific business functions such as meeting rooms, videoconferencing or conferencing facilities.

For further information please visit our web site at www.bca.uk.com

The Manufacturing Technologies Association (MTA) is the leading UK trade association, representing companies which manufacture and import products or offer services to the machine tool, equipment and manufacturing technologies industry. Its commitment is to promoting UK engineering excellence globally, helping MTA member companies to improve their trade and competitiveness.

For further information please visit our web site at www.mta.org.uk.

The British Engineering Manufacturers' Association (BEMA) was founded in 1936 to benefit member companies with mutual help and assistance. Since then the Association has grown considerably and is now a company limited by guarantee but still maintaining the same ethos of common co-operation.

The BEMA are the largest engineering trade association in the South West of England with members operating as far north as Worcestershire and south to Cornwall, west into South Wales and as far east as Surrey.

Their mission statement is “By encouraging trade between our members, promoting their interests to the wider engineering/manufacturing community, and through our hands-on approach in the provision of dedicated advice and training, we aim to strengthen our members' long-term prospects in the increasingly competitive global marketplace.

For further information please visit our web site at www.bema.co.uk

The British Footwear Association (BFA) is the representative body of UK suppliers of footwear.

Britain is home to some of the world's leading footwear brands and the most innovative directional designers. The industry has a £2.3 billion annual turnover at ex-factory prices and exports over 90% of its production around the world.

BFA benefits its members through a range of services including marketing, networking, joint purchasing arrangements and advice on issues ranging from exporting, importing and design rights to labelling rules and ethical trading codes.

BFA offer representation at key overseas trade fairs and access to UK grants for overseas shows.

For further information please visit our web site at britfoot.keepnet.net

DASA is the UK National Trade Association of independent domestic appliance service organisations. Our aim is to improve service quality. More information is available on our website

For further information please visit our web site at britfoot.keepnet.net

The Chemical Business Association (CBA) is the central source of business knowledge on the UK’s chemical supply chain and offers the latest information and briefings on key industry issues – changes in legislation and chemical regulations, REACH, Responsible Care, networking and access to full time technical expertise.

CBA members provide services across the industry including manufacturing, blending, formulating, just-in-time deliveries, marketing and technical support.

Our member companies distribute more than 2.5 million tonnes of chemicals each year and are a vital interface with many thousands of the UK’s downstream chemical users.

For further information please visit our web site at www.chemical.org.uk/home.asp

The UK I.T Association (UKita) has over 250 members and represents ICT SME’s. UKita aims to gain more business for companies, helping to raise their profiles and offer support and excellent networking throughout the association. UKita works in close collaboration with Universities and organisations in the ICT and relating business industries.

It is UKita’s aim to progress business growth, development and influence, while improving the quality of IT suppliers in the UK.

For further information please visit our web site at www.ukita.co.uk

The British Fluid Power Association (BFPA) represents manufacturers and distributors of hydraulic and pneumatic products in the UK.

BFPA was formed in 1959, formerly known as AHEM, to promote the technical, trade and commercial interests of British Manufacturers and Suppliers of Hydraulic and Pneumatic equipment.

The Association is a very active member of CETOP - the European Oil-Hydraulic and Pneumatic Committee. For further information please visit our web site at www.bfpa.co.uk

The Fire and Rescue Suppliers Association (FIRESA) is the UK trade association for suppliers to the Fire and Rescue Services, representing the concerted industry voice across a spectrum of legislative, regulatory and standards issues affecting its members.

FIRESA already influences and participates in the decisions which affect the industry and its practitioners, forging a co- operative environment which benefits its members, their customers and ultimately the public.

For further information please visit our web site at www.firesa.org.uk

The Association of British Healthcare Industries (ABHI) is the voice of the UK Medical Technology Industry and has a membership which comprises of manufacturers of medical devices, equipment and consumables, as well as service companies, distributors, professional groups (such as architects and lawyers), and other suppliers to the medical community. As the largest healthcare trade association in the UK, the ABHI is best placed to represent the industry's interests on critical issues affecting the UK market to key audiences.

For further information please visit our web site at www.abhi.org.uk

The British Woodworking Federation (BWF) is the leading representative body for the woodworking and joinery manufacturing industry in the UK. The BWF currently has over 500 members drawn from manufacturers, distributors and installers of timber doors, windows, conservatories, staircases, all forms of architectural joinery including shopfitting, timber frame buildings and engineered timber components, as well as suppliers to the industry. The total turnover of the BWF’s membership in 2006 was approximately £560 million.

For further information please visit our web site at www.bwf.org.uk

The Master Locksmith Association (MLA), a not-for-profit trade association, was established to set and promote standards of conduct, practice and materials within locksmithing. MLA member companies, who undergo strict vetting (including Criminal Records Bureau checks and regular assessments) and employ qualified locksmiths, can provide you with peace of mind regarding the security of your home.

For further information please visit our web site at www.locksmiths.co.uk