Government procurement policy ‘inhibits’ SME bidders

THE Small Firms Association (SFA) has used its annual conference to attack the Government’s procurement policy — saying it inhibits serious competition from SMEs when it comes to public tenders.

Addressing more than 250 delegates at yesterday’s conference in Dublin Castle, association chairman Ian Martin said that the new Government’s focus on saving money is actually working “completely at odds” with its enterprise support and job creation agenda.

“In its pursuit of the cheapest price, the Government is neglecting the fact that this will not deliver either the quality, cost-in-use savings, or service levels it desires; but will result in lost jobs here at home,” Mr Martin said.