Participation of MSEs in public purchases is a substitute for difficulties as a result of lack of consumers

The demands of Brazilian entrepreneurship, especially when it comes to small businesses that represent 99% of all companies in the country, deserve to be highlighted in the government programs of candidates for the presidency of the Republic in these elections. Despite the resumption of economic activities, micro and small companies, including individual microentrepreneurs (MEI), have not yet recovered their pre-pandemic billing level. Data from Sebrae, in a survey carried out with Fundação Getúlio Vargas (FGV) last May, indicate that entrepreneurs still face difficulties, mainly due to increased costs and lack of customers. In this scenario, public purchases present themselves as a market potential to supply the needs of MSEs.

The participation of small businesses in public purchases is already a reality and has shown an upward trend in recent years. According to the Federal Government Procurement Panel, of the 452,500 suppliers registered in the Compras.gov.br system (in 2021), 67.7% are SMEs, 297,200 in all. The largest share is of micro-enterprises (42%), followed by small companies (19%) and individual micro-entrepreneurs (4.7%).

“There is no doubt that the government, at the federal, state and municipal levels, is the biggest buyer in the country and that is why experts defend a greater participation of small businesses in public purchases. It is necessary to expand the incentives for small businesses in government purchases that are guaranteed in Complementary Law 123/2006, known as the Statute of MPEs”, emphasizes the president of Sebrae Nacional, Carlos Melles.

Sebrae also advocates that the next occupant of the Planalto improve the Compras.Gov.br program by making advance payments available for micro and small companies. “From the contract, it would be interesting to have an anticipation of this value. Already in the state and municipal governments, from the effort. It would be an anticipation of the invoice and not the contract”, suggests the manager of Public Policies at Sebrae Nacional, Silas Santiago.

opportunities

Data from the Ministry of Economy indicate that there are almost R$ 12 billion guaranteed for micro and small companies in public purchases, at the federal, state and municipal levels, including other bodies and entities outside the Executive Power. This value is due to the provision in the legislation in which small businesses, including MEI and small farmers must have differentiated treatment in the bidding processes, such as exclusivity in purchases of up to R$ 80 thousand. In contracts above this value, MSEs still have the benefit of a reserved quota of up to 25% for the exclusive participation of small companies, the advantage in the tie-breaking criterion of the best proposal, in addition to the possibility of subcontracting and local purchase.

Data extracted from the Purchasing Panel of the Ministry of Economy, on June 1st, indicate that in the period from 2018 to 2021, of the R$ 493.9 billion of approved purchases, R$ 129.4 billion went to micro and small companies. companies.

Sebrae in the Elections

At a time when the spotlight of the media and the eyes of Brazilian voters are focused on the public policy proposals made by the candidates, at the state and federal levels, Sebrae launched the campaign “Who supports small businesses, supports Brazil” aimed at to emphasize to the population the importance of micro and small enterprises for the country’s economy and society. At the same time, the institution formulated a document that brings together a set of proposals for 10 topics considered more strategic for MSEs, including the expansion of incentives for participation in public purchases. This is the fifth article in the series published by Agência Sebrae de Notícias on the suggestions made by the institution.

Check out below some actions suggested to candidates for the position of President of the Republics to encourage the participation of small businesses in government purchases:

Differentiated treatment – Include, in the government’s development program, compliance with the differentiated treatment for small businesses, provided for in Chapter V of Complementary Law No. 123/2006, in public purchases and in the planning of acquisitions by public bodies.

Local and regional purchase – Define the application of local and regional purchase criteria as a rule to allow the hiring priorities provided for in § 3 of article 48 of Complementary Law No. 123/2006.

AnticipateGov – Strengthen the federal government’s prepayment of receivables program, which allows Federal Public Administration suppliers to use contracts signed as collateral to obtain up to 70% of the receivable balance as credit in accredited financial institutions.

Updating the exclusive contracting limit – Expand the limits of exclusive contracting of MSE from R$ 80 thousand per items to the amount provided for in item I of article 75 of Law No. 14,133/2021 (new Bidding Law) to guarantee annual readjustments.

family farming – Expand family farming purchasing policies, such as the National School Feeding Program (PNAE) and the Food Acquisition Program (PAA).

startups – Encourage and expand the hiring of startups, stimulating innovation and the creation of new solutions for the public sector. Click here to see the complete document with Sebrae’s proposals for the 2022 Elections agenda.

About Sebrae 50+50

In 2022, Sebrae celebrates 50 years of existence, with activities around the theme “Creating the future is making history”. Called the Sebrae 50+50 Project, the initiative emphasizes the institution’s three pillars of action: promoting an entrepreneurial culture, improving business management and developing a healthy and innovative business environment for small businesses in Brazil. Past, present and future are in focus, showing the evolution from the foundation in 1972 to the present day, with a look also at the new challenges that will come for entrepreneurship in the country.