Collaborative Procurment & Types of Contract

Collaborative Procurement

West Lothian Council is committed to collaborative procurement and works closely with Scotland Excel, (the Local Authority Centre of Procurement Expertise) and Procurement Scotland, (the National Centre of Procurement Expertise) to deliver collaborative contracts that offer best value to the council.

By collaborating with other public sector organisations, the council is able to benefit from reduced tendering costs and procurement efficiencies in processes and time.  The Centres of Procurement Expertise award both traditional contracts and framework contracts which the council is able to use. 

Contracts and frameworks are classified into four categories, (A, B, C1 or C).

Category A – Procurement Scotland is responsible for this category of contracts.  Examples include stationery, utilities and photocopiers. 

Category B – Scotland Excel is responsible for this category of contracts.  Examples invclude primary & secondary educational materials, food and trade tools. 

Other Centres of Procurement Expertise have responsibility for their own sector.  For example, Higher and Further Education (APUC) and the NHS (NHS National Procurement).

Category C1 – This category of contracts cover commodities that are not covered by either category A or B, but where it is appropriate to collaborate on a local/regional basis. Examples of contracts include litter & dog waste bins and vehicle tyres.

Category C – Contracts tendered locally by West Lothian Council.  Examples of contracts include cash in transit and social work requisites.

Procurement Scotland, Scotland Excel & West Lothian Council advertise contract opportunities on Public Contracts Scotland.

Types of Contract

West Lothian Council award both single supplier framework agreements and multi supplier framework agreements.  The council also utilise collaborative framework agreements let by Procurement Scotland, Scotland Excel and other public sector bodies where it is legitimate to do so.

What is a Framework Agreement?

A “framework agreement is an agreement between one or more contracting authorities (buyers) and one or more economic operators (sellers), the purpose of which is to establish the terms governing contracts” in particular with regard to price and where appropriate, quantity envisaged.

Frameworks allow the council to obtain value for money where we have repetitive/frequent requirements and allow us to engage with a manageable number of suppliers for the duration of the framework.

These frameworks are set up using a competitive tendering process and additional suppliers are unable join the framework through the duration of the contract.  Detailed guidance on Framework Agreements can be obtained from the Scottish Government.

Single Point of Enquiry & Supplier Development Programme

The Single Point of Enquiry

The Single Point of Enquiry (SPoE) has been set up to provide suppliers to the public sector or publicly funded bodies with an impartial point of contact where they can ask for advice or raise concerns about public procurement practices in Scotland.

SPoE aims :

• provide businesses with advice on procurement legislation, processes and practices
• seek resolution of procurement disputes 
• help improve the consistency of public procurement processes applied by public and publicly funded bodies in Scotland
• help businesses become more competitive

Its vision is to encourage and establish best practice in procurement within the Scottish public sector and publicly funded bodies by working with suppliers, the business community and procurers to address issues of concern.

It aims to operate with impartiality, fairness and objectivity and promote a culture of openness and transparency in relation to procurement practice.

Supplier Development Programme

If you are unsure about how to bid for, and win contract opportunities, then the Supplier Development Programme may be able to help.

The main priority of the Supplier Development Programme is to build awareness and provide information, education and training on public procurement and contract opportunities.