Useful sources of information

Introductory guides

• WCVA’s factsheet - 7.7 Procurement and Public Service Delivery – download now.
• Introductory Pack on Funding and Finance - designed for small and medium-sized voluntary and community organisations and particularly, for the funding advisors who work with them. It is a new resource from NCVO’s Sustainable Funding Project, commissioned by the Finance Hub. There is a specific guide to Procurement and Contracting which is available to download or as a hard copy. Email psdnetwork@ncvo-vol.org.uk or call Sarah Davidson on 020 7520 3162.
• Before Signing On The Dotted Line – all you need to know about procuring public sector contracts – NCVO’s guide to enable small and medium sized organisations to navigate the complex rules, procedures and practices that constitute the public sector procurement process.
• Think smart – think voluntary sector! produced by the Home Office and Office of Government Commerce is a good practice guide aimed at the public sector but contains useful information for third sector organisations.
• www.ncvo-vol.org.uk – for information on the reform of public services and the role of the voluntary and community sector.
• www.nacva.org.uk – for a range of news sheets and other information on commissioning/procurement issues.
• www.ourpartnership.org.uk – promotes best practice for individuals and organisations working in partnerships between the voluntary and public sectors.
• Public procurement: a toolkit for social enterprises
  This toolkit has been written to give social enterprises across the UK access to the best possible information and advice on how to win government or public sector business.
• Shared Aspirations: the role of the voluntary and community sector in improving the funding relationship with government. Mubeen Bhutta: NCVO. Download the full report: PDF version 314Kb

Legal issues

• CC37 Charities and Contracts produced by the Charity Commission sets out the consideration for charities when entering into a contract. It is available to download from www.charitycommission.gov.uk
• Queries on the tax implications of contracting should be directed to HM Revenue & Customs www.hmrc.gov.uk
• The Voluntary Sector Legal Handbook by Sandy Adirondack & James Sinclair Taylor is published by the Directory of Social Change and is an easy-to-use volume providing the definitive guide to the law as it affects charities, community groups and other voluntary organisations. Call 08450 777707, or see the Directory of Social Change website.
• Model clauses for contracts and guidance on dispute resolution arising from contracting are available from the Centre for Dispute Resolution's (CEDR) Charities unit – call 0207 536 6000.
• European Union Procurement Rules: further guidance can be obtained from your local Euro Information Centre (EIC). Details on the EIC website.

Technical guides

• ACEVO and New Philanthropy Capital’s Full Cost Recovery: A guide and toolkit on cost allocation provides a template to assist organisations understand and calculate their full costs.

Government

• Making the Connections - Delivering Better Services in Wales (October 2004) [.pdf 258k] Discusses the potential to transform the delivery of public services in Wales by involving the third sector.
• Beyond Boundaries - Review of Local Service Delivery (Beecham Review) The 2005 review as part of the Welsh Assembly Government’s action plan for implementing its Making the Connections strategy for improving public service delivery in Wales.
• Procurement and the third sector: Guidance for the public sector in Wales
• "Opening Doors: the Charter for SME Friendly Procurement" The charter for SME friendly procurement produced through Value Wales is currently being re-drafted to address the needs of the third sector.
• www.cat.csip.org.uk/commissioningebook - good practice to assist commissioners of public services.
• www.hm-treasury.gov.uk – The Role of the Voluntary & Community Sector in Service Delivery.
• Tendering for government contracts: a guide for small businesses (579KB) The publication advises small businesses on finding and bidding for public sector work.