MacRoberts to provide procurement seminars across the public sector in Scotland

MacRoberts has secured one of the first contracts under the new Central Government Legal Framework.

The deal will ensure that purchasers in public sector organisations across Scotland will be prepared for changes in procurement, introduced under theProcurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 and the new EU Procurement Directives.

MacRoberts will develop and deliver legal seminars to explain how the changes introduced in Scotland will affect their work and ensure they have the knowledge to work efficiently and effectively under the new guidelines.

As well as working with the Scottish government’s Scottish Procurement and Commercial Directorate to run these seminars, MacRoberts will advise on the improvements that can be made to their current e-learning package.

Scottish public sector spending on goods and services, including healthcare, education and transport, is worth £11 billion annually.

The new guidelines drawn up by the government direct how organisations in the public sector purchase. The 2014 Act is part of the government’s continuing procurement reforms, which aim to make procurement more socially responsible and ensure greater accountability and transparency.

Duncan Osler, partner at MacRoberts LLP and specialist in public procurement, said: “We are pleased to be working with the Scottish government on the delivery of the new seminars and the examination of the current e-learning package.

“The MacRoberts team will ensure that public sector organisations, such as local governments and health boards, will be able to adopt the new guidelines easily.”

Mr Osler added: “The aim of the changes is to get the highest quality of work for the best possible price, but also to ensure that more small Scottish businesses tender for public sector projects. It’s interesting that these changes are now attracting attention from other EU member states, particularly Sweden.”