SMEs add innovation to win more Government contracts

UK Small to Medium sized Enterprises (SMEs) need to become more savvy and grasp the ‘dos and don’ts’ to win security and defence business if they are to take advantage of the Government’s recent commitment to award more contracts to small and medium sized companies, claims Cambridge Wireless, the leading not-for-profit wireless industry forum. But the Cambridge Wireless Security and Defence Special Interest Group also wants to see the Government really deliver on its pledge to engage with more SMEs in order to harness the rich seam of UK innovation and leading edge technologies.

“If the Government is serious in its intention of awarding more business to SMEs, then these companies need to learn quickly and become more familiar with the routes to winning contracts,” said Nicholas Hill of Plextek, and Security and Defence SIG Champion at Cambridge Wireless. “But the Government also needs to recognise the benefits of gaining access to, and fuelling the further development, of UK technology innovation in order to stay one step ahead and stimulate growth in the industry – particularly in strong sectors such as wireless and communications.”

The Government outlined its intent to support UK SME involvement in the security and defence markets - in terms of access, knowledge and contracts – in the white paper, ‘National Security through Technology’ (Cmd 8278), published in February 2012 . The paper stresses the importance of open procurement, preservation of technology advantage and reliance upon innovation by small to medium enterprises and encourages Prime or Tier 1 contractors to involve more SMEs in their responses to the market.

The challenges and opportunities for SMEs will be the focus of the forthcoming Security and Defence SIG event, ‘SMEs at the Heart of Future Defence Innovation?’ taking place in on 11 April in London. The event will bring together several key Government representatives from the Home Office and MOD along with successful SME suppliers including Cosworth and Plextek, to discuss the key issues and provide practical advice. Views will also be provided by the Cyber Security Knowledge Transfer Network and a former senior police representative, now with Accenture.

“This event will be of benefit to anyone who wants to see how the defence and security sector can make more use of innovation in wireless communications,” said Guy Kenyon of Kenyon Consulting, and Security and Defence SIG Champion at Cambridge Wireless. “It will be a chance to meet and talk with people who control different parts of the supply chain from UK Government to prime contractors and small-to-medium sized enterprises”

‘SMEs at the Heart of Future Defence Innovation?’ will be taking place at Accenture’s Old Bailey offices in London on 11 April 2013. For more information or to register for this event, please visit the Cambridge Wireless website: www.cambridgewireless.co.uk/events