selling to
government
Information Centre Guide
July 2004
INTRODUCTION
The public sector in the UK employs a quarter of the UK workforce and accounts for 40% of
the UK’s GDP. Central civil government spending is some £13 billion annually and £25
billion is spent by local government on supplies, services and public works, which has been
expanding over recent years. Whilst large companies supply to the public sector, there are
great opportunities for small and medium sized businesses. The range of goods and services
purchased is huge, from frozen meals to uniforms, transport services to janitorial supplies.
Public sector authorities are prompt payers in line with agreed contract terms and invoices are
normally paid within 30 days.
The aim of this guide is to encourage small and medium sized businesses to consider the
opportunities that selling to the public sector could bring their businesses
It gives the key contact points for procurement in public sector bodies and the public sectors
have been arranged in the following broad groups:
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Local government authorities
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Education system
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Police
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Departments and agencies of the central civil government
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The Ministry of Defence
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Devolved government bodies:
The National Assembly for Wales
The Northern Ireland Assembly
The Scottish Executive
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The National Health Service (NHS) and its local trusts
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Additional sources of information are also given:
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Sources of information on public sector contracts
and other useful sources of information.
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Compiled by Jim Padget
Information Centre
London Chamber of Commerce and Industry
July 2004
© London Chamber of Commerce and Industry,
33 Queen Street, London EC4R 1AP
2004
1
LOCAL AUTHORITIES
Local government authorities buy a very wide range of goods and services. Methods of
purchasing can vary, but there are several basic approaches:
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Authorities where there is a central purchasing department.
Authorities where each unit purchases for its own needs.
Authorities where the unit that purchases the most acts for others.
Consortia of authorities for joint purchasing.
A list of local authorities is contained in the Municipal Yearbook published by Hemming
Information Services. A copy of this directory is available for consultation by members of the
London Chamber in the Chamber’s Information Centre.
The following websites contain lists of local authorities:
Website:
www.oultwood.com/localgov/england.htm
Website:
www.direct.gov.uk
The website of Brent Council also contains a useful list of local authorities:
Website:
www.brent.gov.uk
Click on Sitemap. Then on Government (Local). Then on All UK Local Authorities.
Improvement Development Agency: IDeA:marketplace
IDeA: marketplace is an e-procurement portal set up to enable local authorities to
purchase their requirements electronically.
Website:
www.idea.gov.uk/marketplace
EDUCATION SYSTEM
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HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS
Universities, Colleges and higher institutions of learning and research spend over £4 billion
annually.
The Procurement Strategy Implementation Group (Proc-HE)
Proc-HE is the body responsible for the implementation the procurement strategy for higher
education.
Proc-HE, 11 Southpark Terrace (top floor), University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8LG. Tel:
0141 330 3151.
The website of Proc-HE contains a Purchasing Directory which lists purchasing officers at
individual universities and colleges and also purchasing consortia.
Website:
www.proc-he.ac.uk
Purchases: Universities/colleges purchase a vast range of goods and services including:
office supplies, furniture, stationery, books, periodicals, catering supplies and services, IT,
telecommunications, building materials, maintenance services, laboratory supplies, chemicals,
biochemicals, gases, energy, vehicles, transport, legal and insurance services, health and
safety equipment, janitorial services, capital projects and equipment.
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SCHOOLS
Schools purchase a huge range of goods and services, from books to transport services, meals
to sports equipment. Most expenditure on schools flows through local authorities. For sources
of lists of these, please see the previous section on Local Authorities.
© London Chamber of Commerce and Industry,
33 Queen Street, London EC4R 1AP
2004
2
POLICE
Police Forces
Police forces in the UK purchase a very wide range of goods, equipment and services and
each police force has a procurement/contracts section.
The Police and Constabulary Almanac 2004 contains a list of Police Forces with details of
procurement/contracts managers. A copy of this publication is available for consultation by
members of the London Chamber in the Information Centre.
The following website contains a list of Police Forces in the UK:
Website:
www.police.uk
Metropolitan Police Service
The Metropolitan Police Service, covering the London area, spends some £584 million on
goods, services and buildings. Companies interested in contracting with the Metropolitan
Police Service should contact:
The Deputy Directors of Procurement, Metropolitan Police Service, Cobalt Square, 1 South
Lambeth Road, London SW8 1SU.
DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES OF CENTRAL CIVIL GOVERNMENT
The following are procurement contact points for many major government departments and
agencies:
The British Library
Contracts Manager, Contracts and Purchasing Unit, The British Library, Boston Spa,
Wetherby, Yorkshire LS23 7BQ. Tel: 01937 546413. Email: cpu-contracts@bl.uk
Purchases: stationery, office furniture and equipment, computer hardware and software.
Cabinet Office
Procurement Policy Unit, Cabinet Office, 1st Floor, 35 Great Smith Street, London SW1P
3BQ. Tel: 020 7276 6102.
Email: hazel.lee@cabinet-office.x.qsi.gov.uk
Purchases: IT equipment, office furniture, stationery equipment, maintenance and building
works.
Central Office of Information (COI Communications)
Provides publicity to government departments and agencies.
Head of Procurement Policy, COI Communications, Hercules Road, London SE1 7DU.
Tel: 020 7261 8302. Email: tony.clark@coi.gov.uk
Purchases: Goods and services used in publicity, such as advertising, publications, printing,
translations, photography, journalism, film, TV and radio productions, exhibitions, public
relations.
Council for the Central Laboratory of the Research Council (CCLRC)
Supports Research Council funded scientific and technology projects.
Head of Procurement, Purchasing Group, CCLRC, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Chilton,
Didcot, Oxfordshire 0X11 0QX. Tel: 01235 445515. Fax: 01235 445794.
Email: p.a.carter@rl.ac.uk
Purchases: IT equipment, software, office equipment and stationery, scientific/electrical
equipment, lasers, optics, chemicals, gases, engineering plant and equipment, maintenance
services, printing, consultancies.
© London Chamber of Commerce and Industry,
33 Queen Street, London EC4R 1AP
2004
3
Court Service
The Court Service is responsible for running of civil and criminal courts in England and
Wales (but not Magistrates Courts).
Procurement Unit , The Court Service, 2nd Floor, Southside, 105 Victoria Street, London
SW1E 6QT. Tel: 020 7210 1882. Fax: 020 7210 2183
Purchases: Stationery, office furniture and equipment, IT equipment.
Website:
www.courtservice.gov.uk
Crown Prosecution Service (CPS)
Is responsible for the conduct of criminal proceedings instituted by the police in England and
Wales. Enquiries in writing to:
Procurement and Commercial Services, Crown Prosecution Service, 50 Ludgate Hill, London
EC4M 7EX.
Purchases: Office machinery, equipment and stationery, telecommunications equipment and
services, building facilities services and training/consultancy services.
Customs and Excise
Commerce Division, Her Majesty’s Customs and Excise, Ralli Quays, 3 Stanley Street,
Salford M60 9LA. Tel: 0161 827 0267. Fax: 0161 827 0270.
Purchases: Office supplies, equipment and services, sampling equipment, marine fittings,
repair and maintenance services for vehicles and vessels.
A booklet Selling to HM Customs and Excise is published.
Website:
www.hmce.gov.uk
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
Suppliers wishing to supply the Department should initially write to:
Procurement Team, Department for Culture, Media and Sport, Personnel and Central
Services Division, 2-4 Cockspur Street, London SW1Y 5DH.
Purchases: Goods and services purchased are limited to the relatively small needs of the core
department.
Department for Education and Skills (DfES)
Procurement in the DfES is handled by a number of specialist teams and contact details for
these can be found on the website given below.
Purchases: IT, office equipment and supplies, building maintenance.
Website:
www.dfes.gov.uk/procurement/
Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA)
Spends approximately £400 million per year on goods and services.
Procurement and Contracts Division, DEFRA, Room 821, 19-29 Woburn Place, London
WC1H 0LU. Tel: 020 7273 8918. Email: pat.walters@defra.gsi.gov.uk or
alan.wallace@defra.gsi.gov.uk
Purchases: Facilities and building services, consultancy, office equipment/machinery, IT
equipment, agricultural equipment, animal foodstuffs, veterinary products, protective clothing
,telecommunications, laboratory equipment.
Website:
www.defra.gov.uk
Department for International Development
Administers British aid overseas and promotes sustainable development and reduction of
poverty overseas.
Purchases: Goods and services for the benefit of developing countries (but not military
equipment, tobacco or luxury goods).
Details of procurement can be found on the Department’s website:
Website:
www.dfid.gov.uk
© London Chamber of Commerce and Industry,
33 Queen Street, London EC4R 1AP
2004
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Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)
Purchases: A range of goods and services.
Information on selling to the DTI and its’ Executive Agencies together with contact points are
given on the following DTI website:
Website:
http://www2.dti.gov.uk/about_dti_procurement.html
Department for Transport (DfT)
Procurement and Estates Division, Procurement Policy and Strategy Team, Department for
Transport, D Floor, Ashdown House, Sedlescombe Road North, St Leonards-on-Sea TN37
7GA. Tel: 020 7944 8484
Purchases: Range of products, services and contracts.
The following website gives information on selling to the DfT and its Executive Agencies:
Website:
http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_about/documents/page/dft_about_503
211-01.hcsp
Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
Commercial Policy and Procurement Division, Department for Work and Pensions, Level 1,
Mayfield Court, Sheffield S1 4EP. Email: Lindsay.Watson@dwp.gsi.gov.uk
Purchases: Various general goods and services.
The following website gives information on selling to the DWP:
Website:
http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_about/documents/page/dft_about_503
211-01.hcsp
Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) An Executive Agency of the Department
for Transport.
Purchases: Consultancy, courier services, vehicle excise discs, printing, office equipment and
stationery, cleaning and waste management services.
The following website gives information on selling to the DVLA:
Website:
http://www.dvla.gov.uk/contracts/Contracts_and_tenders.htm
Export Credits Guarantee Department (ECGD) A small government department with
offices in London and Cardiff.
Director of Purchasing, ECGD, P O Box 2200, 2 Exchange Tower, Harbour Exchange
Square, London E14 9GS. Tel: 020 7512 7171. Fax: 020 7512 7056.
Purchases: IT and office equipment, stationery, catering, cleaning services, printing.
Website:
www.ecgd.gov.uk
Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO)
Purchasing Directorate, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Room 1/116, OAB, London
SW1A 2AF. Tel: 020 7008 0931. Fax: 020 7008 0926.
Purchases: Range of products and services.
Government Car and Despatch Agency (GCDA)
The Chief Executive, GCDA, 46 Ponton Road, London SW8 5AX.
Tel: 020 7217 3839.
Fax: 020 7217 3840. Email: info@gcda.gsi.gov.uk
Purchases: Vehicles, vehicle maintenance equipment, office furniture/equipment, IT
/telecom equipment, cleaning and canteen services, security and building maintenance.
Website:
www.gcda.gov.uk
© London Chamber of Commerce and Industry,
33 Queen Street, London EC4R 1AP
2004
5
Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
Business Services Division, Health and Safety Executive, Room 502, St Hugh’s House, Trinity
Road, Bootle, Merseyside L20 3QY. Tel: 0151-951 4081. Fax: 0151 951 4291.
Purchases: Office furniture, equipment and stationery, relevant scientific equipment.
Home Office
The Home Office has produce a booklet for potential new suppliers called A Suppliers Guide
which can be obtained from:
The Home Office, 7th Floor, Horseferry House, Dean Ryles Street, London SW1P 2AW.
Tel: 020 7217 8120. Fax: 020 7217 8098.
Purchases: IT systems, office equipment, scientific and laboratory equipment, construction,
maintenance and consultancy services.
HM Prison Service is run by the Home Office. Advice on procurement in the Prison Service
can be obtained from the Procurement Group Helpdesk, telephone: 01536 274565
Inland Revenue
Purchases: IT equipment, office equipment furniture and stationery, printing, consultancy,
vehicle hire. The following website gives information on selling to the Inland Revenue:
Website:
www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/selling/proc1.htm
Land Registry
The Land Registry is a government Executive Agency that records details of all land
transactions in England and Wales.
Purchases: General procurement:
Senior Purchasing Manager, Purchasing and Supply Unit, Land Registry, Lincoln’s Inn
Field, London WC2A 3PH. Tel: 020 7917 5955. Fax: 020 7917 5915.
Email gill.copple@landreg.gsi.gov.uk
Purchases: Information Technology:
IT Procurement Manager, Land Registry Information Systems Directorate, Drakes Hill
Court, Burrington Way, Plymouth PL5 3LP. Tel: 01752 635600.
Emai: ian.francis@landreg.gsi.gov.uk
National Archives
The National Archives for England and Wales keeps and administers public records.
Purchasing Manager, The National Archives, Kew, Surrey TW9 4DU. Tel: 020 8392 5244.
Email: pat.walters@nationalarchives.gov.uk
Purchases: Office equipment/furniture/stationery, specialised reprographic and conservation
equipment, computer hardware/software, maintenance/cleaning/catering/printing/consultancy.
National Savings and Investments
An Executive Agency of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, it has a small headquarters and
marketing operation in London.
Partnerships and Operations Directorate, National Savings and Investments, 5th Floor, “A”
Wing, Charles House, 375 Kensington High Street, London W14 8SD.Tel: 020 7348 9501.
Fax: 020 7348 9687.
Purchases: Office stationery, market research services.
Office for National Statistics (ONS)
Produce a publication Selling to the ONS available from:
Procurement Policy Manager, Procurement Unit, Office for National Statistics, Government
Buildings, Cardiff Road, Newport, Gwent NP9 1XG. Tel: 01633 813257. Fax: 01633 813358
Purchases: IT supplies, software, office stationery and services, printing, consultancy.
Website:
www.statistics.gov.uk
© London Chamber of Commerce and Industry,
33 Queen Street, London EC4R 1AP
2004
6
Office of Water Services (OFWAT)
Facilities Manager, Office of Water Services, Centre City Tower, 7 Hill Street, Birmingham
B5 4UA. Tel: 0121 625 1347. Email: john.thompson@ofwat.gsi.gov.uk
Purchases: Office equipment, furniture and stationery, IT and office various services.
Ordnance Survey
Is responsible for the official mapping of Great Britain.
Procurement and Supplies, Ordnance Survey, Romsey Road, Southampton SO16 4GU. Tel:
023 8079 2018. Email: ProcurementHelpdesk@ordsvy.gov.uk
Purchases: Office and IT equipment and items for the production of maps.
Passport Service
Procurement Unit, United Kingdom Passport Service, 5th Floor, Globe House, 89 Eccleston
Square, London SW1V 1PN. Companies interested in supplying should write to the foregoing
address.
Purchases: IT equipment, office equipment and supplies, stationery, printing and specialist
security printing.
Prisons
See under Home Office
Research Councils’ Procurement Organisation
Research Councils cover a wide variety of scientific fields.
Research Councils’ Procurement Organisation, Polaris House, North Star Avenue, Swindon
SN2 1EU. Tel: 01793 411788. Email: pab@nerc.ac.uk
Purchases: Scientific equipment, laboratory supplies, office and computing equipment,
various office services.
Website:
www.rcpo.research-councils.ac.uk/
Royal Mint
The Royal Mint requires a particularly high standard of work from contractors.
The Purchasing Manager, The Royal Mint, Llantrisant, Pontyclun, Mid Glamorgan CF72
8YT. Tel: 01443 623031. Email: nigel.thomas@royalmint.gov.uk
Purchases: Machinery/tools, precious/base metals, scientific equipment, chemicals.
Rural Payments Agency
Is responsible for the administration in the UK of the Common Agricultural Police (CAP).
Rural Payments Agency, Contracts and Purchasing, P O Box 69, Reading RG1 3YD. Tel:
0118 958 3626.
Purchases: Goods and services relating to the storage/processing of butter, cereals, milk
powder, and beef. Office equipment, furniture and stationery, IT equipment, printing.
Small Business Service (SBS)
Provides services to promote the start and growth small businesses.
Procurement Officer, Small Business Service, Bay 723, Kingsgate House, 66-74 Victoria
Street, London SW1E 6SW. Tel: 020 7215 4436. Fax: 020 7215 8003.
Purchases: Various office equipment and services.
Treasury
HM Treasury has a central purchasing unit for all departments.
Procurement Unit for Treasury, HM Treasury, 4th Floor, Allington Towers, 19 Allington
Street, London SW1E 5EB. Tel: 020 7270 1304. Fax: 020 7270 1305.
Purchases: Stationery, cleaning services, consultancy, travel, electricity.
Website:
www.hm-treasury.gov.uk
© London Chamber of Commerce and Industry,
33 Queen Street, London EC4R 1AP
2004
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MINISTRY OF DEFENCE (MoD)
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The MoD spends approximately £15 billion each year on goods and services.
The MoD is the UK’s largest single customer.
The MoD purchases from some 32,000 suppliers.
The MoD buys from large and multi-national companies, but it also purchases from
small and medium sized enterprises.
The MoD has 1,800 buyers purchasing a huge range of high quality goods and
services used by the various branches of the armed services.
The Ministry of Defence produces a booklet “Selling to the MoD”, which provides details of
contact points within the MoD and how to go about contacting major defence suppliers who
may have sub-contracting opportunities.
Enquirers should initially contact the MoD’s Freephone Helpline: 0800 282324.
The following website gives details of selling to the MoD:
Website:
www.contracts.mod.uk
For further information and guidance the following are contact points:
Defence Suppliers Service, Ministry of Defence, Maple 2B#2233, Abbey Wood, Bristol BS34
8JH. Tel: 0117 91 32844. Fax: 0117 91 32934. Freephone: 0800 282324
E-mail: csg-help-desk@dpa.mod.uk
Defence Estates, CB/DE Commercial Policy, Directorate of Contracts, Defence Estates,
Blakemore Drive, Sutton Coldfield B75 7RL. Tel: 0121 311 2164 or 0121 311 2027
DEVOLVED GOVERNMENT BODIES
National Assembly for Wales
Procurement Unit, National Assembly for Wales, Cathays Park, Cardiff CF10 3NQ.
Tel: 02920 823885. Fax: 02920 825638.
Purchases: A wide range of goods and services.
Details of selling to the Welsh Assembly can be found on:
Website:
www.winningourbusiness.wales.gov.uk
Northern Ireland Procurement Service
The Head of Operations, Procurement Service, Central Procurement Directorate,
Department of Finance and Personnel, RosePark House, Upper Newtownards Road, Belfast
BT4 3NR. Tel: 028 9052 6560. Fax: 028 9052 6440.
Purchases: Range of products and services.
Website:
www.gpa-ni.gov.uk
Scottish Procurement Directorate
Scottish Procurement Directorate, Governor’s House, Regent Road, Edinburgh EH1 3DE.
Tel: 0131 244 3747. Email: ScottishProcurementDirectorate@Scotland.gsi.gov.uk
Purchases: Range of products and services.
Website:
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Government/SPD
© London Chamber of Commerce and Industry,
33 Queen Street, London EC4R 1AP
2004
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THE NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE (NHS)
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The NHS spent over £11 billion in 2003.
The NHS is made up of 258 Hospital Trusts.
Each NHS hospital trust has its own budget.
The NHS purchases a vast range of goods – everything required in the running of a
hospital and a health service.
Trusts can buy goods and services directly from suppliers.
Goods are also bought for NHS Logistics and stored in its network of warehouses.
NHS Logistics then sells the goods to NHS organisations having broken bulk
deliveries from suppliers into the quantities required.
The NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency is an Executive Agency of the Department of
Health.
NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency, Premier House, 60 Caversham Road, Reading RG1
7EB. The Helpdesk telephone number is: 0118 980 8841.
Website:
www.pasa.nhs.uk
The NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency produce a booklet “Selling to the NHS – A Guide
for Suppliers” and this can be downloaded from the following website:
Website:
www.pasa.nhs.uk/suppliers/selling/
SOURCES OF INFORMATION ON PUBLIC SECTOR CONTRACTS AND
OTHER USEFUL SOURCES OF INFORMATION
The Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU)
All public procurement contracts in the EU countries (including, of course, the UK) which are
worth more than EU stipulated limits, must be published in the daily supplement to the OJEU.
There are exceptions, but, as a general rule, tenders for goods and services worth more than
£100,000 and tenders for building/engineering works worth more than £4,000,000 must
appear in the OJEU.
Many companies use a tender alert service tailored to their individual requirements, such as
that offered by the London Chamber.
The Euro Info Centre (EIC) at London Chamber offers a tender monitoring service, which
monitors all public sector contracts (including UK), above the EU threshold of £100,000, on a
daily basis, alerting companies to those which are specifically relevant to them. For further
information email: Europe@londonchamber.co.uk
Copies of the OJEU on CD-Rom are available by subscription or purchase from:
Official Journal of the European Union, Subscription orders, The Stationery Office, P O Box
29, Duke Street, Norwich NR3 1GN.
Tel: 0870 600 5522. Fax: 0870 600 5533.
Tenders Electronic Daily (TED), the on-line version of the OJEU, can be accessed free of
charge.
Website:
http://ted.publications.eu.int/official/
© London Chamber of Commerce and Industry,
33 Queen Street, London EC4R 1AP
2004
9
London Chamber of Commerce and Industry
The London Chamber is the voice of London business and provides an extensive range of
business support activities and services to help new or existing businesses to flourish.
Although it is a membership organisation, a number of services can be used by non-members
on a charged basis. The Information Centre and the European Information Centre (EIC) are
equipped to provide information or advice for members or as a charged service to nonmembers on many business issues including funding and EU grants. To discuss membership
of the London Chamber Email: membership@londonchamber.co.uk
The Information team at the London Chamber subscribes to the following publications, which
are particularly relevant:
Municipal Yearbook 2004 published by Hemmings Information Services (lists details of local
authorities throughout the United Kingdom).
Contrax Weekly published by BiP Solutions (lists public contracts and tenders in the UK for
goods, services and building works).
Police and Constabulary Almanac published by R Hazell & Co (lists details of police forces
throughout the UK).
Supply Management a periodical published (25 issues per year) by The Chartered Institute of
Purchasing and Supply (contains articles and features of interest to those involved in
purchasing and supply).
The above publications are available for consultation by London Chamber members in
London Chamber’s Information Centre.
London Chamber of Commerce and Industry, 33 Queen Street, London EC4R 1AP.
Tel: 020 7248 4444. Fax: 020 7489 0391. Email:info@londonchamber.co.uk
Website:
www.londonchamber.co.uk
Business Link
The national website of Business Link has useful information on selling to government:
Website:
www.businesslink.gov.uk
Office of Government Commerce (OGC)
The OGC works with government and suppliers to improve procurement.
OGC, Rosebery Court, St Andrew’s Business Park, Norwich, Norfolk NR7 0HS. Tel: 0845
000 4999. Email: ServiceDesk@ogc.gsi.gov.uk
Website:
www.ogc.gov.uk
Supplying to Government Website
The following website, produced by the Office of Government Commerce and Business Link,
gives information and advice on selling to government:
Website:
www.supplyinggovernment.gov.uk
Websites of companies who supply information on government/public contracts
BiP Solutions:
Website:
www.bipsolutions.com
Tenders Direct:
Website:
www.tendersdirect.co.uk
Xtender:
Website:
www.xtender.com
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Disclaimer
Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the data published in this Guide is accurate, the London Chamber of
Commerce and Industry cannot accept responsibility for any errors, omissions or their consequences
© London Chamber of Commerce and Industry,
33 Queen Street, London EC4R 1AP
2004
10