Supply goods and services to NatureScot

Public sector procurement principles

The Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 provides a national legislative framework for sustainable public procurement that supports Scotland’s economic growth through improved procurement practice.

The main principles flowing from the Treaty and Act include:

• transparency – contract procedures must be transparent and contract opportunities should generally be publicised
• equal treatment and non-discrimination – potential suppliers must be treated equally
• proportionality – procurement procedures and decisions must be proportionate
• mutual recognition – giving equal validity to qualifications and standards from other Member States (EU), where appropriate

Procurers in NatureScot must apply the key principles of public procurement. These require the delivery of value for money, appropriate quality and service to meet business needs, and appropriate governance.

Our aim is to always acquire goods, services and works through effective competition. This includes publishing the contract opportunity on the Public Contracts Scotland website.

NatureScot awards contracts on the basis of the ‘most economically advantageous tender’. This lets purchasers both:

• balance the quality of the goods, services or works against price
• frame the statement of requirements to focus on the outcome, rather than a specific solution – this encourages innovation

Small and medium-sized enterprises can access free training and support on the tender process. Find out how on the Supplier Development Programme website.

Opportunities and requirements

Contract opportunities may arise in areas such as:

• research, survey and monitoring – e.g. habitat survey, marine monitoring
• buildings maintenance, construction works and facilities management
• promotions, marketing and publications
• environmental education and interpretation
• consultancy services – e.g. IT, supplies and services

Suppliers who register an interest in any new contract opportunity valued at £50,000 or more that we advertise on Public Contracts Scotland must fill in the Single Procurement Document.

Suppliers of goods, services or works to NatureScot must satisfy and agree to our mandatory:

• general terms and conditions
• health and safety requirements – including insurance
• generic sustainability criteria – to help us meet our environmental management policy aims and support the delivery of the Sustainable Procurement Duty

Contact

Procurement Team
Helpdesk: 01463 725 097
Email: [email protected]

Find out more

Procurement Strategy
Conditions of Contract for the Provision of Services
Conditions of Contract for the Supply of Goods (and any related services)
Commissioned Reports - Instructions for authors and template