The Scottish Procurement Directorate (SPD) is responsible for developing, advising and implementing procurement policy for the public sector in Scotland.
It facilitates efficient, effective, fair, lawful and sustainable delivery and commercial practices across the Scottish public sector, delivering value for money and supporting better public services and Scotland's economic development.
It has five strategic 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 tio 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
It also has a role to ensure that procurement processes within the Scottish Government are effective and efficient.