News

TSOs can Benefit from PCS Updates

Third Sector Organisations (TSOs) can now benefit from an update to the functionality of Public Contracts Scotland (PCS) the national portal where suppliers can find Scottish government contracts and buyers can find suppliers to fulfil contracts and Quick Quotes.

TSOs update on PCS

Changes to the PCS website now mean that TSOs can more easily identify themselves as part of the third sector, when registering. Other updates include:

• Enhanced search functionality, allowing buyers to specifically find third sector suppliers
• Integration of the third sector identification within the Quick Quote system
• Improved data collection to track engagement and impact

Quick Quotes

The changes mean that TSOs have a better chance of being found by buyers who are running procurement procedures. For instance, now buyers can more easily filter suppliers by TSOs when seeking someone to fulfil a Quick Quote.

A Quick Quote is a function within the Public Contracts Scotland (PCS) website that allows buyers to request a costing for a low value/low risk procurement exercise, from suppliers that are PCS registered. It can also be used to run mini competitions within framework agreements.

Community Wealth Building

This increased visibility of TSOs on PCS can make it easier for buyers to meet their Community Wealth Building (CWB) targets, by helping them find and hire TSOs whose social values align with these targets.

Data Collection

The updates also help the Scottish Government meet Action 8 of the SME and Third Sector Procurement Action Plan, by allowing it to more accurately analyse the number of third sector suppliers using the national procurement portal and winning work on it. This will help Scottish Government understand in which areas of business TSOs are thriving and in which they require more support.

Using the Updated PCS Functionality

Third Sector Organisations can benefit from the changes by ensuring that their identifier is marked on PCS. They can do this by following these steps:

• Registering on PCS and selecting ‘third sector organisation’
• Also selecting ‘SME’ and ‘supported business’ if applicable
• Updating their searchable Supplier Finder profile and highlighting the goods/ services their business provides
• Publishing the Supplier Finder Profile, to ensure that it is visible to the buyers

Further support and information on using the updated PCS functionality can be found in the PCS user guide.

Supplier Support on Using PCS

Step-by-step guidance on using PCS is available to Scottish SMEs and TSOs for free, when they register with the Supplier Development Programme. Those new to tendering can start with the Core Training, Using Public Contracts Scotland (PCS) – How to Find and Bid for Opportunities, which runs frequently as a live webinar, as well as an eLearning module that can be accessed on-demand, via the SDP website.

Buyer Support Working with TSOs

Buyers who wish to expand the base of suppliers and TSOs that they work with to deliver CWB goals, can also collaborate with the Supplier Development Programme (SDP) to deliver webinars that make these connections.

SDP has recently worked with both South Lanarkshire Council and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde on webinars that explain the uses of their Community Benefits portals , where TSOs can promote their needs and suppliers/contractors can apply to include them in their Community Benefit contract commitments.

For more information on how SDP can help you, email info@sdpscotland.co.uk