Public sector shared procurement service, STAR has revealed its 10 point plan to support the economic recovery in Greater Manchester.
As Government restrictions begin to be lifted, STAR plan to continue with and increase the support available to local communities, business communities and the VCSE sector.
STAR have been supporting its Partners and Clients since the beginning of lockdown to help local businesses through this unprecedented situation. The procurement service is launching our 10 point plan now to provide further assistance throughout the continuation of lockdown, and ahead into the ‘post-lockdown’ period.
Director of STAR, Lorraine Cox stated:
For the last few years we have implemented new approaches to support both our communities and local businesses/VCSEs through procurement, gaining us national and international recognition for our achievements. Given the current circumstances, we recognised the importance of revising and refreshing our approach to ensure that we do even more and continue to lead the way for procurement and shared services.
Our new 10 point plan includes further commitment to market engagement, new flexible and simplified procurement approaches, and the embedding of Covid-19 related Social Value throughout the procurement cycle. I am excited to announce our 10 point plan and look forward to working with all our stakeholders to ensure we deliver as much as possible.”
STAR Procurement’s 10 point plan for the future of the service is:
- Risk-based sourcing: Continuing with simplified quotes targeted at local businesses, SMEs and VCSEs
- Market engagement: Engaging through technology before procurement begins
- Communications: Providing useful information for suppliers via the STAR website and advertising tender opportunities via The Chest and social media
- ‘Meet the Buyer’: The annual event, with public sector buyers, workshops and seminars, has been postponed until November 2020. Registration via the STAR website.
- Flexible approach: New procurement approaches to allow for cost fluctuations and extended timescales
- Forward ‘pipeline’ planning: Continuing to advertise upcoming activity to provide opportunities and support stability for the market
- Social value in current contracts: Providing opportunities for existing suppliers to adopt new Covid-related social value measures
- Showcase suppliers: Showcase suppliers who have support the public sector with Covid-related requirements.
- Post-Covid requirements: Planning for what the public sector will need after restrictions are lifted, and how these can be sourced locally
STAR is a public sector shared procurement service, established in 2014. STAR has moved from a three to a six partner organisation and works collaboratively with its Councils, including Stockport Council, and Clinical Commissioning Groups, supports Greater Manchester Combined Authority and leads a large percentage of collaborative procurement across Greater Manchester Councils