Doing business with the Board

This section provides you with information about how the Board buys goods and services.

Introduction 

The Board is committed to the concept of best value procurement and continuous improvement. All purchasing activities will be carried out in a professional and ethical manner, incorporating transparency, fairness and accountability. The Board will actively encourage Small and Medium sized Enterprises (SME) to do business with us and is committed to the development and promotion of equality of opportunity for all. In addition, issues of sustainability and corporate social responsibility will be considered and incorporated within the procurement process wherever appropriate. 

The Board's Procurement Strategy are conducted in accordance with all relevant law, regulation and guidance, including:

• the Scottish Public Finance Manual
• Scottish Procurement & Commercial Directorate’s (SPCD) Policy Handbook
• SPCD Procurement Journey
• SPCD Guidance including Policy Notes
• European Directives, obilgations and principles
• the McLelland Report
• Scots law of contract
• the Board’s Financial Memorandum
• Equalities legislation and best practice
• Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002
• the Board’s Code of Conduct

Competition

Our policy is to award contracts through a competitive process. Contracts with a value above £10k will be advertised using the Public Contracts Scotland portal. The PCS ‘QuickQuote’ facility will also be used for lower value contracts where appropriate. The following thresholds will apply in determining which competitive process is used.

The following thresholds apply in determining the appropriate means of competition:

**Simplified in this context means that the usual criteria in relation to items such as audited accounts and the level of indemnity insurance are less onerous than for contracts greater than £50k.

Contract opportunities & award notices

Our current contract opportunities and award notices can be found on the Public Contracts Scotland website at http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/

Sustainable procurement

The Board is committed to sustainable procurement. This is where the procurement process is focussed on achieving value for money on a whole life basis and generating benefits not only for the Board, but also for society, the economy and the environment. Issues of sustainability and corporate social responsibility will be considered and incorporated in the procurement process wherever appropriate.

Terms & conditions of contract

• Terms & Conditions of contract for Purchase of Goods – copy available on request
  
• Terms & Conditions of contract for Services – copy available on request
  
• Terms & Conditions of contract for Consultancy Services – copy available on request
  
• Terms & Conditions of contract for Goods and related Services – copy available on request