Monday, 31 August 2020.
Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall has today announced that State Government agencies must now first consider buying goods and services from a small, medium or rural business for all direct procurements up to $250,000 as part of a plan to boost local businesses.
Mr Marshall said that the government’s Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) and Regional Procurement Policy would provide a boost to the region’s economy in the wake of droughts, devastating bushfires and now COVID-19.
“This new policy is good news for our region’s businesses and couldn’t come at a better time,” Mr Marshall said.
“It’s see even more of the government’s considerable annual spending stay in our region and support locals.
“The policy also provides a ‘Small Business Exemption’ to give local businesses an opportunity to cut through red tape and government processes.
“It allows government departments to buy directly from small businesses for any purchases up to $50,000 even if there is a mandated whole-of-government contract in place.
“I am pleased that this policy is a positive step forward for local small businesses, which have faced the challenges of drought, devastating bushfires and now the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It is great that state government departments will give first consideration to the excellent local tradies, businesses and shops across our region when it comes to procuring goods and services.
“There has never been a better time for government departments to look locally when it comes to spending procurement dollars.
“This will assist our local small businesses as they recover from all of the economic challenges of the last couple of years.
Mr Marshall said businesses could also access free independent business advice to build their capability to supply goods and services to government, through the NSW Government’s Business Connect program.
For more information on the SME and Regional Procurement Policy, visit www.buy.nsw.gov.au/policy-library/policies/sme-and-regional-procurement-policy
To access Business Connect specialist procurement support, visit www.business.nsw.gov.au/businessconnect