New Service for Advertising Tender Opportunities
Public Contracts Scotland
Suppliers should register with Public Contracts Scotland in order to view new Highland Council contract opportunities that will be published after 1 October 2008. Please use the following link to register:
www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk
Current Highland Council tender opportunities can be viewed by clicking HERE
Contract opportunities that will be available in 2010-11 are listed in the Highland Council Buyer Profile 2010-11 in the Current Documents section on the right of the screen.
Background
One of the key deliverables within the Reform Agenda of Public Procurement in Scotland was the establishment of a free, easy to use National Scottish Contracts Advertising Portal. This internet based portal has now been developed and is called ‘Public Contracts Scotland’. This on-line facility will allow all public sector organisations in Scotland to advertise both Official Journal of European Union (OJEU) level and sub-threshold contract opportunities and contract awards. In addition, the creation of the national portal and its associated use will enable suppliers to gain access to essential contract opportunities in Scotland worth an estimated £8bn.
One of the principal objectives of the portal is to encourage high quality, cost competitive suppliers to bid for publicly funded contracts from across Scotland, and as a result, business opportunities which might until now have been invisible to Highland businesses will become readily available. The existence of the portal will also allow improved business relationships between the public and private sector, and offer greater transparency to the business community. This is consistent with the Highland Council corporate plan key objective of supporting local businesses and encouraging enterprise and growth in the Highlands.
By using the portal, The Council can demonstrate adherence to EU legislation and Scottish Government regulations and support an open, transparent and accountable procurement process. The portal is a free service to both purchasers and suppliers and therefore the portal gives suppliers free access to contract opportunities in Scotland. All current and potential suppliers will be able to find details of contracts with Scottish Local Authorities, NHS Scotland, the Scottish Government, Agencies, Non-departmental Public Bodies (NDPB’s), Higher and Further Education and Emergency Services by simply browsing the available contracts. Suppliers can also register to receive free regular email alerts when new contract opportunities are loaded via the portal by a Contracting Authority, for example, The Highland Council.
The Highland Council is fully committed to procurement reform and the use of the Public Contracts Scotland portal. As from 1 October 2008 all opportunities should be advertised via Public Contracts Scotland as the previous service provider, www.publictender.co.uk , will no longer be available for advertisement of any new opportunities. All suppliers who have registered with publictender.co.uk will be notified of the change, by publictender.co.uk, and the requirement to register with Public Contracts Scotland.
The implementation of Public Contracts Scotland will be actively supported by Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Scottish Enterprise, Enterprise Europe and the Scottish Procurement Directorate. The service also has strong ministerial support.
So, suppliers should register with Public Contracts Scotland in order to be able to view contract opportunities and to be notified by email of any relevant contract opportunities published via this service.