The Contract culture: procurement and tendering

Public Sector Bodies, including Local Authorities and Primary Care Trusts, are moving away from giving grant aid to voluntary organisations. These grants are being replaced by contracts to deliver specific services. The implications for VCS organisations include:

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  Less grants available for new, innovative or pilot projects
  
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  Tender contracts are more prescriptive with less opportunities for innovation
  
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  Increased competition for contracts between VCS organisations as well as competition with the private sector
  
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  VCS organisations could lose existing contracts if they are put out to tender
  
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  Local VCOs may lose out to large national VCOs with more knowledge and experience of tendering