SCOTLAND Excel has been shortlisted for a public sector award for its work to create opportunities for small businesses within its construction portfolio.
The centre of procurement expertise for local government is a finalist in the Scottish Public Service Awards 2023 Commercial Partnerships Category.
The shortlist recognises the organisation’s work to develop local supply chain opportunities when delivering two new frameworks: Building Construction Consultancy (BCC) and Property Maintenance and Refurbishment (PMR).
Julie Welsh, Scotland Excel chief executive, said, “We have a commitment to developing opportunities for small and micro suppliers across Scotland where possible. This is good for Scottish supply chains and it is important for our 32 member councils to have local choice when using our frameworks.
“When bringing these two new frameworks onto our construction portfolio, we were keen to make sure small and micro companies in Scotland were able to bid to deliver projects. After running engagement sessions with the supply base, we structured the contracts in a regional way that accommodated the scale of work packages that local businesses could bid to deliver.
“As a result of our successful approach, both frameworks have high percentages of SME and micro suppliers. I’m delighted that this work has been shortlisted for a Scottish Public Service Award, and I’d like to wish all other finalists the very best of luck.”
BCC has 62 Scottish SMEs on a 94-strong framework supplier list, while PMR has 53 Scottish SMEs on an overall supplier list of 88.
The awards will be announced on Wednesday 6 December in Edinburgh.