SME in the Deep-freeze: Small and Medium sized Enterprises left out in the Cold

Every government has the obligation to take care spending public funds. For that reason regional, national and even international rules have been set in place. You're not allowed to exclude providers or suppliers nor to promote them without good cause. You are supposed not to gain from an assignment or order (read bribery). Unfair competitive advantages (specific product or brand requests) nor between company agreements (cartel) are allowed. The procurement must be transparent and all information must be publicly available. And anyone selected for providing the goods or services must be a respectful and trusted supplier. And, we're economic: spending should be minimal.

To EPD or is it me?

The sorry story of how a well meant government project in The Netherlands goes awry. Just this month a letter from the national government, ministry of Public Health, Well-being and Sport (Ministerie van VWS) came with the mail.