The work that we have been doing with BID:SOLUTIONS is focused on reducing running costs by concentrating on the commodities that are common across most businesses (Energy, Waste, Transport, Couriers, Pest Control, Testing etc), and establishing great deals with robust service levels and controls.

Recently we have been working with a couple of local authorities to ascertain if this work can benefit them and assist them in making their savings objectives.

We are please to say that the work we have done can achieve some quick wins for these authorities.

If you are a local authority you simply compare our share-service and framework rates against the current council rates. If your rates are favourable, then you have assurance you have done all you can, if, and more likely our rates our lower than yours then you have a few options open to you:

* Use our deals (if spend is under EU thresholds)

* Use of rates as a benchmark and go back and speak to your supply base

* Carry out a procurement exercise (If spend is over EU threshold and requires an OJEU tender process and savings justify the work)

Obviously the first two options are faviourable as they require limited work will return a very quick win.

In times of such drastic budget cutting, we are pleased that the work we have done for private sector businesses can benefit the public sector in this way.