Navigating public sector procurement with Smas Worksafe

Public sector procurement can be daunting for many businesses – especially SMEs. In the UK, it’s estimated that about a quarter of all construction work is public sector work. This means there’s a big market that companies and contractors may be missing out on if they don’t have the right certification available to work in that sector.  

We’re here today to take you through how you can get your business ready for public sector contracts so you can unlock bigger, better opportunities. 

What’s the difference between the public and private sector?

Private sector contracts involve completing work for any private client/organisation i.e. not belonging to the government, but an independent company. They take on the financial risk of the project. 

Public sector contracts involve completing work for any public authority such as the government, schools and universities, housing associations, hospitals etc. The funding for these projects is partially or fully government funded.  

The compliance challenges

Because of the level of financial and physical risk in construction projects, buyers will look for several key features: 

• Competency: Does your business have a track record of excellence? Do you have other projects you can show off to highlight your value? 
• Health & Safety: Are your contractors safe on site? Do they take unnecessary risks that endanger both themselves and the general public? Do they operate machinery safely and responsibly? Does their organisation have suitable arrangements in place to cover all aspects of work undertaken? 
• Sustainability: Do you manage your materials and wastage? Do you try to limit waste wherever possible and use quality materials and good work practices that will last longer?  
• Certification: Has your organisation been assessed, approved and certified by a recognised assessment scheme? 

A good track record and clear proof of your ability will make you far more attractive to buyers – but there are still some legal requirements to meet when tendering in the public sector, too.

Legal requirements for public sector work

Before you can tender in the public sector, there are several important laws and legislations to familiarise yourself with: 

• Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012: Contractors must consider the wider impact of their work (environmental, social, economic impacts) – more than just the cost of the project. 
• Procurement Act 2023: PA23 helps smaller businesses access public sector work. Contracting authorities must publish their KPIs for public contracts worth more than £5 million, meaning suppliers of all size can meet the specific requirements if they’re capable, rather than automatically deferring to larger contracting enterprises.    
• Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015: The CDM 2015 regulations sets out comprehensive rules for everyone involved in any and all construction projects, from contractors to clients, duty holders to designers.  
• PPN 03/24 and the Common Assessment Standard: Public Procurement Notice (March 2024) replaced PPN 03/23 and introduced the Common Assessment Standard as the favoured certification for public sector contracts and work worth over £5 million.  

When a public sector buyer goes to market, contracting opportunities will be posted on the government’s contract finder or Find a Tender service, depending on the size of the project.

Boosting opportunities with certification

So, now that we know what you need to keep in mind when it comes to tendering, let’s take a look at your certification options.  

The benefits of certification

Health & Safety certification is a great way to show that you are a trusted and reliable contractor. It proves you’ve been assessed to rigorous standards and have come out the other side. What’s more, since you need to update your certification yearly, you’ll be constantly evolving your workplace practices, reviewing your risk assessments, and making sure every part of your business is working to the highest possible standards. 

It’s a mark of credibility that adds confidence to those you’re working with. What’s more, certification also helps to streamline the tendering process. Schemes like SSIP were introduced not only to help set a standard benchmark for Health & Safety certification, but also to help contractors avoid repeatedly filling out pre-qualification questionnaires. Their certificate would act as a badge of proof. 

The difference between CAS and SSIP certification

The two main Health & Safety certification types you’re likely to see in the construction industry are Safety Schemes in Procurement (SSIP) and the Common Assessment Standard (CAS).