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<p>The House of Commons procurement policies operate within the parameters set out
by the UK Public Contracts Regulations 2015.</p><p>The House has a Sustainable Purchasing
Policy which, amongst other things, requires contracts that are particularly suitable
for SMEs to be highlighted as so being, contracts to be divided into lots and processes
to be as simple and proportionate as possible to encourage SMEs to participate in
our competitions. Further, the policy requires contracts that are suitable for Social
Enterprises to be identified at an early stage and that market engaged to ensure their
participation.</p><p>More generally, the House supports British industry and agriculture
by:</p><ul><li>Purchasing our goods and services in a way that maximises the ability
of SMEs, Social Enterprises and organisations with less bargaining power to win our
contracts;</li><li>Conducting open and competitive tender processes that are accessible
to all British suppliers whether small, medium or large;</li><li>Advertising our contracts
on the UK Government procurement website Contracts Finder and the House’s own electronic
procurement portal to ensure that there is maximum visibility of our contractual opportunities;</li><li>Writing
specifications of requirements that take into account domestic social, economic and
environmental requirements.</li></ul>
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