SINGLE POINT OF ENQUIRY An Advice and Enquiry

SINGLE POINT OF ENQUIRY An Advice and Enquiry service for suppliers to the Scottish public sector

Single Point of Enquiry Mc. Lelland Recommendation 12. 5 Suppliers need to have a single point of enquiry within Scotland to which they can address concerns and obtain clarification of decisions and procedure related to public procurement. There should be a designated point of appeal positioned within the Scottish Executive and authorised to address this need….

Single Point of Enquiry What is it not? • Not a formal remedy - Courts or EU • Not appeal or arbitration on disputes

Single Point of Enquiry What is it? • Advice • Issues • Confidential & Impartial • Focus on improvement Working with • Centres of Expertise • Procurement authorities

Single Point of Enquiry • • • Ministerial support (PPRB) Business Org support Procurement authorities support Centres of Expertise support Supplier support *

Single Point of Enquiry • Regular approaches for advice on process • 35 cases with SPo. E direct involvement • All public sectors – large/small suppliers

SPo. E cases arise from various sources • • Direct from Suppliers From Business Orgs Approaches to Ministers Legal firms

How does SPo. E operate? • • • Assess enquiry Buyer/supplier contact* Submit issues to SPo. E contact with Co. E/Buyer Broker resolution

Main issues raised • • • Approved supplier lists Contract award criteria and procedures Proportionality and complexity of tenders Communication and feedback Retendering supply profiles

Outcomes • • Communication/feedback established Process clarified Process modified Contract retendered

SPo. E report to be published on SPD website Further information: scotland. gov. uk/Toics/Government/Procurement How do I contact SPo. E ? spoeprocurement@scotland. gsi. gov. uk Remedies consultation http: //www. scotland. gov. uk/Publications/2009/06/030 95738/0