Public Contracts Scotland
Key message
Public Contracts Scotland provides suppliers with free easy access to all essential information on public sector business opportunities, creating a competitive market environment which will generate a better deal for the taxpayer. All public bodies are expected to use Public Contracts Scotland.
What do procurement teams need to do?
Procurement Managers should read the implementation checklist and decide who should be nominated as the Controller for your organisation. It is preferable to have at least 2 Controllers to cover for absences. The Controller will set access permissions and complete the Buyer Profile - organisation details; contact details; and description (we recommend that the description area includes your advertising thresholds). You should then ask all procurers within your organisation to register on the Public Contracts Scotland portal, whereupon the Controller will set access rights.
You must also communicate with your suppliers and inform them that your organisation is now placing all their contract notices on the portal - the Portal Team can assist by targeting your suppliers by email on your behalf with an agreed joint communication or, if you prefer, you can email your suppliers directly.
When considering the threshold for contracts appearing on the portal, remember that a key aspect of the initiative is to increase the advertisement of sub-OJEU- threshold contracting opportunities. Also, a link between the portal and the Hub is being built and once that is in place all completed Contract Award notices on the portal will automatically populate your organisation's contract register on the Hub.
Further guidance:
Give-aways for events
- Suppliers Flyer - Public Contracts Scotland Team
- Pens - Public Contracts Scotland Team
- Tendering for Public Contracts - hard copy booklet available from Scottish Procurement Directorate
What do Suppliers Need to do?
Suppliers can browse available contracts on Public Contracts Scotland but are required to register to receive free email alerts by adding categories to their own profile. Contract information is automatically sent, by email, to interested suppliers. Suppliers will find Tendering for Public Contracts a useful guide