Increasingly, procurement and commissioning officers are getting bids from single or consortia of social enterprises. These enterprises are in business to provide for customers whilst also meeting their organisation's social or environmental aims. But what and who are these social enterprises? Are they reliable and can they deal with your economies of scale? Do their bids come up to the mark? What opportunities do they offer to deliver quality, good value products or services?
These questions and more were tackled by representatives of the Scottish government, procurement officers and social enterprises at the first ever conference and trade fair held jointly with Renfrewshire, East Renfrewshire and Inverclyde social economy partnerships. Fifty people attended and twelve social enterprises contributed to the market place and catering. The aim was to kick start an increase in trade between the public sector and social enterprises. |
