The relevance and economic implications of public procurement - which represents 12% of GDP and one-third of government expenditures in the OECD area - make it a powerful tool for improving public service delivery. At the same time, governments are increasingly using their purchasing power to pursue strategic objectives in different policy areas such as sustainability, innovation or providing support to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Making it easier for SMEs to access public procurement opportunities improves the general economic environment, promotes inclusive growth and supports principles such as equal treatment, open access and effective competition. This report takes stock of the approaches adopted in 37 OECD and non-OECD countries to help SMEs perform better in public procurement markets, including removing barriers to their participation. The report also describes the main features of a public procurement system that benefits both the public sector and SMEs.

The OECD Principles for Integrity in Public Procurement are a ground-breaking instrument that promotes good governance in the entire procurement cycle, from needs assessment to contract management.

March, September, and December issues include index digests, and June issue includes cumulative tables and index digest.

Government law attorney Steven J. Koprince teaches you to concentrate on the crucial but complex Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and other rules required for keeping contracts alive and avoiding penalties. Each year, the federal government awards billions of dollars in small-business contracts. The Small-Business Guide to Government Contracts puts a wealth of specialized legal counsel at readers’ fingertips, answering the most important compliance questions like: Is a small business really small? Who is eligible for HUBZone, 8(a), SDVO, or WOSB programs? What salaries and benefits must be offered? What ethical requirements must be followed? When does affiliation become a liability? Small-business contracts are both the lifeblood of hundreds of thousands of companies and a quagmire of red tape. No one can afford to be lax with the rules or too harried to heed them. The Small-Business Guide to Government Contracts empowers contractors to avoid missteps, meet their compliance obligations--and keep the pipeline flowing.

The public sector spends nearly £125 billion, or ten per cent of GDP, each year purchasing goods and services in the UK economy. The manufacturing sectors most heavily involved in selling to Government include food, paper and printing, pharmaceuticals, construction products, aerospace and environmental technology. Following on from two previous Committee reports which have examined issues of concern to the UK manufacturing industry (relating to skills shortages in UK manufacturing industries (HCP 493-I, session 2006-07, ISBN 9780215033970) and government support for exporters (HCP 557, session 2006-07, ISBN 9780215034380)), this report focuses on whether the rules and practices relating to procurement of goods and services by public authorities hinder or help UK manufacturers in obtaining public contracts. The report argues that the Office of Government Commerce (OGC) should have powers to enforce the implementation of best practice guidance on procurement policy, and recommends that OGC guidance on the use of public procurement to further social policy and equality aims does not go far enough and should be reviewed. It also highlights the need for better trained and higher quality procurement officials throughout the public service, supported by floating teams of experts in particular procurement areas.