The process of bidding for government construction contracts is to be simplified, it was announced today.

Twenty five measures aimed at improving public sector procurement were unveiled by Stormont Finance Minister Sammy Wilson.

The actions were set out in the Construction Industry Forum for Northern Ireland (CIFNI) Procurement Task Group Report, which was prepared in partnership with the local construction industry.

“These recommendations will bring a number of tangible benefits to the construction industry as they will contribute to the delivery of record levels of Government infrastructure investment,” said Mr Wilson.

“This year, for example, the Executive plans to deliver £1.7 billion of gross capital investment alone.

“I welcome the report's focus on how the visibility of Government construction procurement opportunities will be enhanced to facilitate workload planning by all sectors of the industry; how opportunities for enterprises of all sizes to benefit from public sector contracts will be maximised; and how the cost and timescale of the pre-qualification process will be reduced, as will the bidding costs of all parties.”

Mr Wilson said the measures had a particular focus on small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs).

“Government recognises the importance of SMEs to the local economy and encourages them to bid for Government contracts in their own right as single entities, as members of consortia, or to look for opportunities within the supply chains of successful tenderers,” he said.

The minister detailed the plans during a visit to the new Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI) building in the Titanic Quarter.

\[Stephen McAllister\]Also in attendance was Culture, Arts and Sports Minister Nelson McCausland, who was on his first visit to the new PRONI site.

The ministers were joined at the launch by Colin McCarthy, who led the construction industry representation during the development of the report.

“All sectors in the construction industry, contractors, professionals and suppliers, firms and individuals, have been affected by the economic downturn,” he said.

“The construction industry group acknowledges the commitment and positive approach of the Government construction clients represented at the task group.

“Producing a report is one thing - but delivering its recommendations will be the real test.

“The construction industry group, for its part, is fully committed to working with the central procurement directorate of DFP and others to ensure its full and effective implementation.”