“Shut out”: Small businesses locked out of $81 billion government contracts urged to come forward
Small business operators who believe they have been locked out lucrative government contracts have been invited to share their views with a formal inquiry into the multi-billion dollar system.
The $80 billion question: New ASBFEO inquiry asks if small businesses are locked out of government contracts
The multi-billion dollar flow of taxpayer funds to small business contractors will come under investigation by the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO), as the federal government attempts to lock in its new small business procurement target.
Aussie tech SMEs say government procurement favours large multinational players
A survey of Australian SME technology companies of their experiences in selling to the government has laid bare a raft of entrenched obstacles local firms face in winning public sector business.
Government procurement inquiry aims to stop agencies cutting corners
The Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit will conduct an inquiry considering how to bring more transparency, efficiency, and value for money to government procurement.
Grants of up to $50,000 available to help WA small businesses win government contracts
Three new rounds of the $2 million Local Capability Fund (LCF) have been announced by the WA state government.
Albanese government plans to decrease reliance on external consultants for public sector contracts
Consulting and labour-hire firms are on notice that going forward there will be fewer contracts and less taxpayer money for them under an Anthony Albanese Labor government.
NSW to adopt digital signatures for SMEs supplying to government
The New South Wales government will adopt digital signatures across all contracts for its suppliers from July, in a bid to save businesses both time and resources.
Critics say UK trade deal could increase government reliance on overseas consultants
The Australia-UK free trade agreement is set to give consultancies in both countries access to more government work, unlocking contracts at sub-national levels such as work for state and territory governments.
Budget 2021: Government procurement for SMEs in focus
The government will spend $2.6 million over a four-year period to “support and strengthen” SME participation in Commonwealth procurement.
THINQ Learning
THINQ Learning offers government procurement training to SMEs, and during COVID-19, started offering up these workshops free of charge.
Federal government agencies to ‘directly engage’ with SMEs in shake-up to procurement rules
Under changes unveiled by Finance minister Simon Birmingham, federal government agencies will be allowed to ‘directly engage’ with SMEs on tendering contracts valued up to $200,000.
“Huge move”: Victorian government commits to paying SME suppliers within 10 days
The Victorian government has renewed its COVID-19 commitment to pay its small business suppliers within 10 days.
