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opening up the procurement market

Whether the kind of contract your company would like to secure is to supply bedding plants and shrubs to a council or for the transportation of human remains from hospital to the mortuary you will find it at www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk.

The Scottish public sector spends an estimated £8 billion each year on goods and services and is continually looking for ways to make these opportunities easier and to ensure value for money for every public pound spent.

As part of that process a single mechanism giving suppliers access to contract opportunities across the entire Scottish public sector, no matter their size, has been created.

At a recent Scottish Government National Public Procurement Conference Finance Secretary John Swinney stressed that in the current economic climate it is vital that public spending supports the economy and the launch of the portal signalled a major step change in the way the public and private sectors will do business in future – in particular by reducing red tape and removing barriers which prevent them working together.

Linda Davidson, of Public Contracts Scotland, who spoke at a recent lunch and learn session organised by the Chamber told Business Bulletin that all public sector organisations in Scotland are gradually turning to the portal to advertise small and large contract opportunities in Scotland.

“There are roughly 186 contracting authorities in Scotland,” she said. “There are also lots of other organisations like social landlords and housing associations which will also use this website.

“The Scottish Government is encouraging all public sector organisations across all the sectors - the NHS, local authorities, colleges and universities, police, fire and rescue services - to advertise all their opportunities using the national advertising portal.

“It was launched in 2008 and many central procurement teams within the public sector are using it and rolling it out to departmental level.

“They didn’t all start at the same so more and more organisations are now rolling it out.

“The aspiration is that every public sector contract over £50,000 will be advertised on the national advertising portal for Scotland.

“I hate the phrase one-stop shop but this is the one place where all roads point rather than having to look at a variety of places.

“These can be any contracts for goods, services and works activities. There will also be a link to the Commonwealth games opportunities. Public Contracts Scotland should be the first stop for any SME wanting to do business in Scotland.”

www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk