Dstl exceeds spend target with Small and Medium Enterprises

Dstl, the science inside UK defence and security, has exceeded its 2019/20 procurement spend target with Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

In 2019 Dstl highlighted its commitment to working with a wide range of innovative SMEs. The UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) has set an ambitious target that 25% of its procurement spend will go to SMEs by 2022 . Dstl is delighted to announce a substantial increase in spend with SMEs in the past Financial Year (FY) 2019-20, from £72.6m to £86.1m, meaning that over 27% of its external spend on science and technology (S&T) went to SMEs, either directly or via a prime supplier.

Dstl is still actively recruiting SMEs to join its supply chain, which grew by 17% last FY, and will soon be launching its SME action plan to make it easier for SMEs to work with it.

Rob Solly, Executive Sponsor of Dstl’s SME Searchlight said: “I’m delighted that SMEs are playing a larger role in our supply chain, bringing added agility and innovation to Dstl’s research. SME Searchlight is committed to continue this growth and we look forward to meeting new potential suppliers at Venturefest South in October.”