As a minimum, the contracting authority should state:
‘The Contracting Authority has included obligations within the specification and contract conditions relating to further requirements to achieve community benefits which are relevant to the services to be delivered.’
‘The contract/framework agreement supports the Scottish Government's National Performance Framework, and the National Outcomes which articulate the Government's Purpose ‘To focus on creating a more successful country with opportunities for all of Scotland to flourish through increased wellbeing, and sustainable and inclusive economic growth’. This framework supports the following National Outcomes, and contractors are expected to support the authority’s aim to achieve these.' [Insert relevant National Outcomes].’
Below are some best practice examples:
‘A requirement of the contract will be that the contractor undertakes with the authority a series of community engagement events to ensure that progress of the contract is visible to the local community.’
Award criteria
Below are some examples of questions specific to communities requirements that contracting authorities may wish to include as award criteria:
‘Please describe how you will involve the users of your service to contribute to its design and delivery to find opportunities to enhance communities.’
‘What arrangements will you make to ensure that the local community are engaged with and informed of the service offered?’
‘How will you design your offer to enhance the local community through the provision of this service?’
‘A method statement is required describing an assessment of potential impacts of the proposed service on the local community. It must include all the risks and opportunities identified in the assessment, measures needed to minimise risks and options for improvements.’
‘Bidders are required to submit a method statement describing in a logical sequence exactly how the work will be carried out in a people-centric manner and without risks to the community, including detailing any consultation required.’
‘Bidders are required to provide a risk assessment for the services, including what resources will be allocated to manage the risks identified.’
‘The organisation specifically wishes to support the enhancement of local communities, please describe how you will contribute to this aim including reducing the risks within this contract.’
