# Free accreditation service launches to help charities win public sector contracts

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2023/05/24/free-accreditation-service-launches-to-help-charities-win-public-sector-contracts/
- Published: 2023-05-24T10:01:52+01:00
- Author: Melanie May

**The free accreditation gives UK voluntary organisations, community groups and 
social enterprises, as well as SMEs, ‘Public Sector Supply Ready’ status, which 
aims to make it easier for them to win contracts. **

The [Public Sector Supply Ready accreditation](https://go4growth.co.uk/your-journey/pssr-accreditation)(
PSSR) has been developed by [Go4Growth](https://go4growth.co.uk/), and having it
will act as an industry indicator that an organisation has met the required standards
to take on a public sector contract.

Go4Growth has developed the accreditation to increase the quality and quantity of
SME applications in the public sector. It says that as the vast majority of the 
UK’s 6 million small businesses do not have any experience of working with organisations
in the public sector, many currently do not consider them potential customers.

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The accreditation is also expected to support public sector procurement staff by
helping them to easily identify suppliers that have invested in their knowledge 
of the procurement process and are ready to apply for opportunities.

To apply for PSSR status, the first step is to complete a Standard Selection Questionnaire
and then work through two stages that look at the basic building blocks any organisations
would need in order to credibly take part. The process allows the provider to evidence
that they have the necessary tools, knowledge and understanding of processes to 
work in the public sector.

If any organisations require further application assistance to achieve the status,
Go4Growth will also provide free guidance and training through events, tailored 
content, and general support.

Gillian Askew, Director at Go4Growth said:

> “Increasing work with SMEs and VCSEs in the public sector will not only help to
> grow the local economy, but also create job opportunities, whilst fulfilling the
> public sector’s commitment to supporting local enterprise. This new accreditation
> will provide the perfect platform for many SMEs and VCSEs to access the public
> sector market, and to get over any obstacles that may have previously stood in
> their way.
>  
> “Go4Growth’s core purpose is to help smaller organisations develop the skills 
> and confidence to grow their business and win public sector contracts. We hope
> that this new, free opportunity to gain supply ready status, will provide a gateway
> into doing exactly that.”

In addition to the PSSR accreditation service, Go4Growth has also launched a new
carbon net zero action plan, which is a free planning tool designed to help SMEs
reduce their carbon emissions and provide evidence in public sector bids.