To ask the Minister of Finance and Personnel what advice and support is available to third sector organisations who are seeking to bid for public service contracts.

There are a number of initiatives to provide advice and support to organisations in Northern Ireland and there is a particular focus on assisting SEEs when bidding for public service contracts.

CPD has published procurement guidance note 01/11 Public Procurement: A Guide for Social Economy Enterprises. This note aims to increase their knowledge and understanding of public sector procurement and in so doing, help them to develop their capability to compete successfully for public sector contracts. It also highlights the benefits of forming a consortium or sub-contracting within the supply chain.

CPD also attends regular ‘Meet the Buyer’ events enabling organisations to meet with public sector buyers, gaining insight into the public procurement process.