scope:

FOREWORD

The Government believes 'that a competitive market is the quickest and surest route to achieve greater output, more jobs and lower inflation. Within such a market small firms, with their flexibility and adaptability, can make a major contribution. We have over the past few years introduced measures to assist small firms to develop a firmer base in the industrial sector. The Department of Employment takes the lead in seeking purchasing policies specifically helpful to small firms, and the Department of Trade and Industry takes a similar interest on behalf of firms both large and small in the industry as a whole. The Ministry of Defence has however also played a very active role in encouraging small businesses to seek opportunities in the defence sector. We recognize that the very size of the defence field can make it appear a difficult market to' enter and compete in successfully. In 1983 we produced a booklet "Selling To The MOD" to provide the sort of information that small firms needed. The booklet, which described the Ministry's purchasing organisation and methods and provided lists of contacts, was warmly received and resulted in firms who had not previously supplied to the defence sector offering their services to meet our requirements. We believe this additional competition has had an extremely beneficial effect in defence procurement. Taking into account suggestions and comments from small firms, and those who represent them, we have now produced this revised and expanded edition of the booklet. It introduces fresh material and contact points to cover areas which experience has shown are of particular relevance to smaller suppliers, and reflects the organisational changes which have occurred in the Ministry in the interim. It is our aim to provide, wherever we can, opportunities for small firms which will result in achieving better value for money in defence procurement. However at the end of the day the onus must be on small firms to prove their worth in supplying goods and services of the right quality at the right price and at the right time. I trust that small firms who may hitherto have hesitated to seek business in the defence field will be encouraged to explore with those responsible for procurement our present and future requirements. The contribution this would make to improving our country's defences, the efficiency and health of their own business and our industrial base would indeed be valuable

It is our aim to provide, wherever we can, opportunities for small firms which will result in achieving better value for money in defence procurement. However at the end of the day the onus must be on small firms to prove their worth in supplying goods and services of the right quality at the right price and at the right time. I trust that small firms who may hitherto have hesitated to seek business in the defence field will be encouraged to explore with those responsible for procurement our present and future requirements. The contribution this would make to improving our country's defences, the efficiency and health of their own business and our industrial base would indeed be valuable.