Transport Scotland’s Procurement Policy and Procedures

Introduction

The following policies are embedded into existing procurement processes in Transport Scotland and are intended to assist decision making, management and administrative functions. Monitoring, review, and reporting of the effectiveness of a policy is a key part of ensuring continuous improvement.

National Policies

Transport Scotland staff involved in procurement are required to take account of the following national policies, legislation, and tools:

  • Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 and the associated Statutory Guidance
  • The Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015
  • The Procurement (Scotland) Regulations 2016
  • General Data Protection Regulations 2018
  • relevant environmental and health and safety legislation, such as the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015
  • Published Statutory Guidance to support the implementation of the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014
  • The Equality Act 2010 (Specific Duties) (Scotland) Regulations 2012 and subsequent duties under the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015
  • Scottish Government Construction Policy Notes (CPNs), published by the Scottish Government Construction Procurement Policy Unit
  • Scottish Procurement Policy Notes (SPPNs), published by the Scottish Procurement and Property Directorate
  • Scottish Government’s Procurement Journey
  • The Climate Change (Duties of Public Bodies: Reporting Requirements) (Scotland) Order 2015
  • Scottish Government’s Client Guide to Construction Projects
  • Scottish Government’s National Strategy for Economic Transformation
  • Scottish Government’s Gifts and Hospitality standard of conduct guidance
  • Scottish Government’s National Performance Framework
  • Scottish Government’s Public Procurement Strategy
  • Scottish Public Finance Manual
  • the sustainable procurement duty tools developed by Scottish Government to assist public sector bodies to identify and address how they can optimise economic, social, and environmental outcomes of procurement activity

Local Policies and Procedures

In addition, Transport Scotland staff are required to take account of local policies and procedures when undertaking any procurement activity, including:

  • the prompt payment of invoices for works, goods, and services in line with the Scottish Government’s 10-day payment policy
  • the requirement for appropriate staff to have a suitable level of Delegated Purchasing Authority
  • Transport Scotland’s Investment Decision Making procedures
  • Transport Scotland’s Framework Document
  • Transport Scotland’s requirement that procurement activity is underpinned by an approved Procurement Strategy
  • Transport Scotland’s Fraud Policy and Response Plan
  • Scottish Government’s Risk Management Guidance

Compliance with Requirements of Section 15(5) of the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 and Statutory Guidance

Section 15(5) of the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 and the published Statutory Guidance, sets out what should be included in Transport Scotland’s Procurement Strategy. Transport Scotland’s compliance with these requirements is shown in Annex A.