Small businesses will have greater opportunities to provide their goods and services to the NSW Government with the 2020-21 Budget delivering $5 million to establish a tendering support service, which will create local jobs and support the economic recovery of NSW.
Minister for Finance and Small Business Damien Tudehope said the NSW Small Business Commission would deliver a four-year program to support small and local businesses to submit tenders and negotiate Government contracts.
“The NSW Government spends more than $40 billion each year on the procurement of goods, services and construction, with nearly half of that amount going to small and medium businesses,” Mr Tudehope said.
“However, many small businesses are not aware of the opportunities that exist or are unfamiliar with the NSW Government tendering processes. They will benefit from additional guidance and support.
“Small businesses make up 97.5 per cent of businesses in NSW and by generating more work for local and small businesses through existing Government spending, we will support jobs, families and local communities.”
Mr Tudehope said the program would also support smaller, regional suppliers to tender for and access government contracts.
“The new program aligns with the NSW Government Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) and Regional Procurement Policy, which requires Government agencies to first consider buying goods and services from an SME for all direct procurements up to $250,000.
“The policy’s Small Business Exemption allows Government departments to buy directly from small businesses for any purchases up to $50,000 even if there is a mandated whole-of-government contract in place.”
NSW Small Business Commissioner Chris Lamont said the Small Business Commission would develop targeted information and support to assist small business put their best proposals forward.
“For some small and medium enterprises it’s hard to know where to start, this measure will provide practical support and assistance,” Mr Lamont said.
Businesses can also access independent business advice to build their capability to supply goods and services to government, through the NSW Government’s Business Connect program. On top of the Government’s announcement in April of $9.8 million to continue Business Connect funding for 2020-21, the program will be extended for a further three years, representing a total $39.3 million, four-year commitment.
Businesses can register and search for existing opportunities to supply to the NSW Government at: https://suppliers.buy.nsw.gov.au/
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