The Strategic Procurement Office (OCE) is a new service promoted by Barcelona City Council and Barcelona Activa to facilitate access to public procurement for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), self-employed professionals, and organisations within the social and solidarity economy. It also provides support to companies awarded public contracts and to organisations interested in incorporating social and environmental criteria into their procurement processes. 

The service offers guidance and training to help companies and organisations participate in public tenders with greater confidence and stronger guarantees. It also supports organisations in adopting responsible procurement practices by connecting them with suppliers from the social and solidarity economy and assisting them in developing sustainable purchasing plans. 

In addition, the Office provides support in complying with the social clauses included in public contracts, such as the hiring of people facing particular barriers to employment, the promotion of inclusive recruitment practices, and subcontracting with social economy enterprises. 

At Barcelona Activa, we have participated in the design and development of this new service together with the Strategic Procurement Directorate of Barcelona City Council. This initiative builds on Barcelona Activa’s track record in the field of strategic procurement, which began in 2018 with the Social Clauses Service, an initiative that supports companies and public administrations in incorporating social criteria into procurement processes. 

The creation of the OCE aims to promote a more strategic and sustainable approach to public procurement, facilitating access to public tenders for companies and organisations while contributing to a positive social, environmental and economic impact across the city.