Why CIC's need to compete now for Public Sector Contracts

[Mark Trotter]

February 2012 realised a landmark opportunity for CIC's the Public Services Act 2012 recieved Royal Ascent.

This provides clear direction for Public Sector bodies on how to make a community value count in the procurement and service contract decision making processes.

 

Charitable Businesses have enjoyed many privileges over the years through the community benefit structure of commissioned services however this was lost under the last administration in the way they interpreted the direction from the EU and WTO.

 

The balance has been shifted in favour of local community benefit. CIC's have past the test for registration and now have the mandate to describe why their local activities have greater value - price and quality are measured with community benefit, environment and enterprise offering the opportunity to differenciate the final scores of applications.

 

This post comes hot off the back of winning a large project contract for a local small business, what is clear, if there had been a CIC in the frame local to that community winning would have been more difficult, investment ploughed into the local economy, education and skills.

 

This is a market place designed for CIC's so read the 2012 guidance and look at local opportunities or meet some buyerswho will offer insights on how they interpret the Act.