In designing contracts to deliver opportunities for SMEs, social enterprises or supported businesses, early market engagement is important to identify the capacity of the market to deliver these.
This also makes sure that potential bidders know as early as possible that this will form part of the contract requirements. Below is an example of wording that can be used for this purpose.
‘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].’
Where a contract is being reserved notification of this will be given in the contract notice. For contracts subject to the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015, information about reserved contracts is completed in section III.1.5 of the contract notice.
Information on lots is provided in section II.1.6 of the contract notice. A contracting authority must explain the decision not to sub-divide procurements subject to The Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015 into lots.
Where a contract includes community benefit requirements, this should be indicated in the call for competition (whether this is a conventional contract notice. In any instance, the invitation to tender may further explain why the requirement is part of the contracting authority’s purposes, policies and activities.
