NEW WEBSITE BRIDGES THE GAP BETWEEN GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT AND HELPING DISABLED PEOPLE IN TO WORK

A new website, sponsored by Jobcentre Plus, and spearheaded by the Department of Work and Pensions, Remploy, GMB, the Office of Government and Commerce, and the British Association of Supported Employment will bridge the gap between Government procurers and disabled people.

This new service, developed according to the Public Sector and Utilities Directive, will allow procurement officials in central and local government as well as other public sector bodies better access to supported factories and businesses (where over 50% of the workforce have a disability). Under the new Public Sector Procurement Directive, contracting authorities may reserve and place public procurement contracts for supported factories and businesses. These businesses will be able to register online and provide details of the type of products and services they offer.

There are over three million disabled people of working age in the United Kingdom with some form of disability. Disabled people play an important part in the UK economy, and this project is another step in utilising this skilled group of people to build successful businesses.

The project relates to Regulation 7 of the new Public Contract Regulation and Regulation 10 of the Utilities Contract Regulation. These regulations allow the EU member states to reserve contracts with supported factories and businesses. Public sector buyers will have access to these businesses via the website and will be able to reserve and award contracts with them.

This is a massive boost for the profile of the supported businesses as this not only exposes them more freely to the public sector but allows the supported factories and businesses to interact with these bodies and win contracts.

Bob Warner, chief executive of Remploy commented on the new service:
"Disabled people play a significant role in the UK economy and this project is a step to ensuring that public sector bodies not only have access to supported factories and businesses but also have the impetus and freedom to reserve and place contracts with these factories and businesses."

A large number of supported businesses have already successfully competed for a range of contracts. Diverse products and services are provided by these organisations, ranging from specialist warfare suits and furniture to CCTV surveillance. The website - www.supportedbusiness.org.uk  - provides a comprehensive listing of these types of goods and services.


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