Policy Context and Legal Framework

The Supplier eProcurement Training Desk is a strategic project that was implemented, through a strong cooperation with the institutional representatives of the Italian suppliers, in order to overcome the initial difficulties (cultural, organizational, technical...) shown by the SMEs in the use of ICT tools. The desired effect was to increase the participation of the SMEs in Consip’s public procurement activities, especially in the use of the Mepa, a tool that allows SMEs to make greater business, at a local and regional level, with the public administration market, for expenses below the EU threshold. More specifically, the project has contributed, since the beginning, to involve suppliers’ associations in the creation and the awareness on the emarketplace, in order to put in place a network able to locally support SMEs.

When the supply market is mostly populated by SMEs, like in Italy and Europe, constant interaction and communication with this target becomes a necessity rather than a goal.

The relationship between a micro enterprise and a national central purchasing body (like Consip) may not be so simple. So several actions were undertaken such as the creation of a specific business tool suitable to SME (the Mepa), the development of greater communication and interaction with the suppliers’ institutional representatives also through the participation to joint working groups, and the supply of free training and education to SMEs through the setting up of the training desks.

This kind of action is perfectly in line with the European Small Business Act that invites all member states contracting authorities to “Think Small First” as the new way of thinking! That means acting and ruling according to the principle that in doing so the needs and main features of SMEs should be taken into the due consideration.