Running Groups > Nottingham CVS Change Management Service

Procurement & Commissioning to the Voluntary Sector Managing the risks and maximising the potential

Terry Metcalfe, Head of Corporate Procurement

Procurement Drivers & Process

Gershon Efficiency Savings
CSR07 - 3% Cashable Savings
Sustainability
Economic Development
Strategic Direction
Make or Buy
Specification Development
Tender Process

The Benefits of using the Voluntary Sector

Channelling public spending into deprived communities
Empowering local people to take part in their economy/civic society
Delivering effective public services
Supporting people to develop skills for employment
Delivering efficiency savings

Barriers to Entry

Finding Contract Opportunities
Finance
Accreditation
Paperwork
E-Procurement
Competition
Scale of work or contracts

Identifying Gaps in the Market

Including social and local economic benefits into tender evaluation criteria
Mapping of spend
Build up database of Voluntary Sector organisations
'Source' websites and others
Providing assistance and guidance

Mitigating the Risk

Financial Regulations
Can a Voluntary Sector Organisation provide the financial data required within a tender
Long term future of the organisation
Providing additional resource required to develop skills, knowledge and experience
Policies on Health & Safety, Equalities & Diversity and Training and Development
Quality Standards ISO 9000 etc

Case Study 1
- Home Care Nottingham
- Contract for £100k following a rigorous tender exercise (started with an Open Contract)
- Supported in its development by our Economic Development Unit
- Recruit mainly from within the NG7 area which has high levels of depravation
- They are now one of our largest providers of homecare
Not Just Home Care

Other areas where we currently use Social Enterprises

Construction:

NECTA
City Wide Construction - Code of Practice
Home Security

Services

Furniture
Clothing
H&S Items

Incorporating social impact and community participation into contracts

Not just about Value for Money
But Voluntary Sector Organisations must deliver financial data and evaluations (and savings)
Identifying and delivering social benefits
Tenders and contracts - evaluation and contractual requirements
Participation from both sides

Conclusions

There are benefits for both organisations and the community
Understanding of the process and the drivers
Identify where a Voluntary Sector Organisation can fit into the supply chain
Buy-in from commissioners and Procurement
Identify and mitigate the risks
Achieving Value for Money
Making a difference in the local community

What Next?

The City Council will arrange an Open Day / Meet the Buyer event specifically for the Voluntary Sector
Tender process will be adapted to include evaluation criteria aimed at making it easier for Voluntary Sector / SME's / BME's to win business
E-Tendering - process easier / cheaper

Contact:

Terry Metcalfe - Head of Procurement
Jonathan Gore - Community Cohesion
Nottingham City Council