Industry News

GPS:  The Government Procurement Service Furniture Category is currently developing Invitation to Tender documentation for the forthcoming renewal of a furniture framework agreement  They invite suppliers & customers to download their draft specifications and complete the feedback form with any recommendations, by Wednesday 11April 2012.

Press release & links

MoD:  The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) is aiming to give a boost to businesses of all sizes by encouraging them to get involved in supply chains for future build, repair & maintenance contracts for the  UK's Defence estate. 

Its Next Generation Estate Contracts (NGEC) team is procuring contracts for the South West, South East and Central areas.  DIO is calling on businesses of all sizes, who feel they can make a contribution to the supply chain for these works, to get involved.

Press release & links

ScotGov:  First Minister Alex Salmond recently launched the industry-led energy skills academy - Nigg Skills Academy (NSA) - established with over £900,000 public funding, to deliver training for thousands of workers across key sectors including oil & gas and renewables.

Press release & links ~ Nigg Skills Academy

MoD:  Overseas-based suppliers are being encouraged by Peter Luff, the Minister for Defence Equipment, Support & Technology, to invest in the 's defence & security sector. 

A new Industrial Engagement Policy (DSIEP) has been launched following the publication of the 'National Security Through Technology' White Paper on 1 February 2012.

Press release & links

CO:  Minister for the Cabinet Office, Francis Maude, has made a statement on the award of Public Services Network Connectivity Framework Agreements.   

He said: 
“The Public Services Network is a fundamental building block of our ICT Strategy, and today’s announcement of suppliers to the framework is a huge step forward in providing the infrastructure to deliver services to citizens more efficiently and cheaply”. 
Press release & links

DH:  The government has announced £4m of funding for businesses to develop cutting-edge ideas to address some of the biggest health problems of our time.  The Department of Health has opened 2 new competitions with up to £2m of funding each to develop technological & innovative solutions that can:

*Change people’s behaviour in order to reduce the impact of obesity & alcohol related diseases 
(Deadline 1 June 2012)

* Improve the number of patients taking their medication as prescribed

(Deadline 18 May 2012)

The competitions will be run through the Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) process and are open to all organisations not just those in the health sector.  Businesses can find out more about the competitions by attending a briefing session, which will be held in London on 12 April 2012 
Press release ~ SBRI competitions (scroll down)

MoD:  Cutting-edge defence science & technology is being showcased by the Ministry of Defence's Centre for Defence Enterprise (CDE).   Revolutionary gadgets & gizmos, developed by SMEs & funded by CDE grants, are on display this week at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills in London .

Press release & links

WAG:  Business Minister Edwina Hart has announced that the new £40m Wales SME Investment Fund, which is designed to create up to 4,000 jobs, is now open for applications 

The new 4-year Fund will be managed by Finance Wales.  It will ensure more SMEs, including those who sell their goods & services to consumers rather than businesses, become eligible for repayable commercial investment from Finance Wales.

Press release ~ Wales SME Investment Fund

CO:  The Cabinet Office has announced that they have signed a new deal with Oracle that will deliver in excess of £75m in savings by 2015.  The key aspects of the deal include:

* A single discount

* Licence sharing

* Bulk buying

* Shared services savings

Oracle will also establish a Centre of Excellence where government’s investment in its Oracle estate will be maximised by leveraging expert resources.  This will be aligned to the Government’s IT Strategy, ensuring the delivery of this important programme across government.

Press release & links

FSA:  The Food Standards Agency in Scotland is inviting tenders to carry out secondary analysis, for 2011 and 2012, of dietary data that was collected in the UK Living Costs and Food Survey.

Press release & links

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