SME generates 75% of its turnover through government contracts whilst also benefitting from the Prompt Payment Code.

Published 3 September 2018

Last updated 26 March 2019


Customers:

FCO Services, House of Commons, ESFA, DfE, NHWIS, DIO, Cabinet Office, NCA, MOD, NICE, Gangmasters, IPCC, National Criminal Intelligence Service

Supplier:

SmartSourcing Plc

Contract description

This is a commercial agreement that can be used by any Central Government and Wider Public Sector clients (including the NHS) to meet their temporary staffing needs for both ‘blue’ and ‘white’ collar workers at all levels of staff grade.

Contract delivery area:

UK Wide

Contract value for SME:

£15million

CCS Framework:

Non Medical Non Clinical – Lot 5 IT Professionals Supply

Supplier factfile

SME:

SmartSourcing Plc

Managing Director:

Judith Hall

Date company established:

January 2002

What the company does:

Specialist Recruitment Services throughout the UK. Our core areas of delivery are across: Permanent, Temporary and Interim resource in the fields of: Information Technology, Project Management, Business Change, Digital, Cyber Security and other related areas.

Company HQ:

Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire

Website:

www.smartsourcing.plc.uk

Annual turnover of company:

£28,000,000

Number of employees:

25

Type of SME:

Medium

Social media:

*Twitter: @SmartSourcingUK

*LinkedIn: SmartSourcing plc

*Facebook: @SmartSourcingUK

Supplier’s experience

In relation to the contract awarded, how did you find the procurement process?

When we undertook the procurement process in 2015 we found the tendering exercise for NMNC to be a refreshing change from other public sector bids previously undertaken. We found it very straightforward.

The procurement process was driven by compliance to framework requirements which played to our strengths. From an SME perspective this enabled us to complete a simple process with ease, within sensible timescales and without draining internal resources.

The exercise utilised an online portal for submission (Bravo Solutions) which we found to be a user friendly platform, allowing smooth engagement and submission of the required information.

Crown Commercial Service managed the whole process very efficiently and professionally.

What worked well and what could have been done better?

We felt the whole process worked well. As a SME, the simplified process helped us to reduce excessive staffing hours producing response documents.

What benefit does your company receive from supplying to the public sector?

SmartSourcing is highly experienced in supplying staffing resource to the Public Sector. By working with the Public Sector, our company has been able to grow with accompanying internal job creation – 75% of our turnover has been generated by our work with it. As a SME, we also benefit from the Public Sector’s commitment to prompt payment.

What was/is/will be the outcome of the contract for the client?

The Public Sector benefits from our low cost, high quality and dynamic approach. The NMNC framework allows us to engage with our clients directly and effectively.

How would you like to work with the public sector in the future?

We would welcome the opportunity for further SME engagement through simplified routes such as Dynamic Purchasing Systems and technology driven solutions for procurement or continued use of direct supply SME friendly frameworks.

Customer testimonial

Smartsourcing have enabled us to fill a variety temporary posts including Project Support Officers, Senior Delivery Managers and IT Service Managers. They are able to source candidates for roles across England and turn the requirements around quickly.

Victoria Spinner, Contracts Manager, Department for Education