Public and Private Sectors Collaborate to Improve Procurement

Public-private partnerships are becoming increasingly common, especially in sectors such as infrastructure and healthcare. Tenders and the procurement process, however, are typically not a collaborative effort. Scotland is changing that as the country prepares to host two major sports events in 2014.

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Glasgow Business Portal

Glasgow City Council and the 2014 Commonwealth Games Organising Company have spent over £2 billion preparing for the upcoming games. In addition to infrastructure improvements and venue construction funded by the Games committee and City Council, several private sector projects are also underway, including hotels, restaurants, and other amenities to satisfy out-of-town spectators. Glasgow City Council launched the Commonwealth Games Business Portal to handle these tenders.

Based on the city’s e-tendering framework, the Commonwealth Games Business Portal announced both public and private contracts for the games. Now known as the Glasgow Business Portal, the city will keep the website active, continuing to post public and private sector procurement projects for interested suppliers. Businesses that complete a free company profile are eligible to bid on posted projects and receive email alerts for contracts that fit their services.

Ryder Cup Procurement Portal

Gleneagles is hosting the 2014 Ryder Cup tournament, an event that will employ an estimated 5,000 people. Public Contracts Scotland (PCS) is hosting procurement contracts for the event through the PCS online portal. The Scottish government is working with Scottish Enterprise to get the right goods and services for the anticipated event. 2014 Ryder Cup match director Edward Kitson says, “The direct contracts we will offer and the associated benefits through the supply chain will provide a boost to businesses across the country.”

60,000 businesses are already registered with the PCS website, providing a good choice of vendors to take part in the bidding process, but the Scottish government and Scottish Enterprise are encouraging new businesses to register as well. Vendors who specialize in catering, security, waste management, transport, and merchandise will see the most opportunities. “This event gives Scottish companies the chance to demonstrate they can perform at a truly global level,” says Jillian Moffat with Scottish Enterprise.

Scotland is taking PPPs to new levels and seeing success with collaborative procurement processes. Established public portals are the ideal source for quality procurement options and can boost private sector business growth with little added cost to the local government. [/show_to]