The Scottish Government

Public sector spending on goods and services across Scotland amounts to around £8 billion per year. Procurement guidelines govern the purchasing of these goods and services in areas such as health and education services, IT and telecoms, and local government.

The Scottish Procurement Directorate (SPD), headed by Alastair Merrill, is responsible for developing and advising on procurement policy for the public sector in Scotland. We also ensure that procurement processes within the Scottish Government are effective and efficient by ensuring that staff are aware of their responsibilities and authority, and have the necessary information and tools.

Our Goal

To facilitate efficient, effective, fair, lawful and sustainable delivery of commercial practices across the Scottish public sector, delivering value for money and supporting better public services and Scotland's economic development.

Objectives

• To better collaborate at every level across public bodies in Scotland through the development of improved structures and effective working relationships
• To ensure that Best Value for money outcomes are met through a culture of continuous improvement and a framework of performance management
• To support better and more consistent practices across public bodies in Scotland, making best possible use of available resources and supporting economic development
• To create effective policy and regulation, accessible remedies for suppliers, ease of interpretation and clear guidance promoting propriety, regularity and transparency in commercial decision making
• To ensure a more competitive environment through improving access to contract opportunities, streamlining processes and encouraging innovation
• To ensure that delivery and commercial outcomes recognise whole life costs and are more sustainable
• To adopt a common, innovative and advanced e-commerce platform across public bodies in Scotland