How to do Business with Glasgow

Introduction

Procuring - buying or obtaining - goods, works and services has a major impact on many aspects of life in Glasgow. This includes the environment, social factors and local economic development.

The council procures a variety of goods, services and works from stationery to multi-million pound capital works contracts. Council expenditure per annum is around £580 million, increasing to around £700 million over the entire council family.

We are delighted to hear from new and existing suppliers who are interested in tendering for business. The aim of the following information is to make it as clear as possible on how to do business with Glasgow.

Please note - we do not maintain an Approved List of Suppliers. Any company wishing to receive business from the council should read the following information.

Registering for Tender Opportunities

To do business with Glasgow, you will need to register your business on the following:

Public Contracts Scotland Tender (PCS-T)

https://www.publictendersscotland.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/web/login.html

Public Contracts Scotland (PCS)

https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/login.aspx

Why Do I Need to Register on PCS-T and PCS?

PCS-T provides suppliers with instant access to new opportunities and supporting documentation. It hosts all our tender activity over the value of £50,000 (Goods and Services) / £500,000 (Works).

Upon registering, set up your profile to receive automated alerts about upcoming tender opportunities applicable to your business.

PCS advertises all Glasgow City Council tender opportunities. You can also register to receive free e-mail alerts.

(Both PCS-T and PCS are hosted by the Scottish Government)

If you have never used PCS and the PCS-Tender websites, or you are struggling, the Supplier Development Programme (SDP) offers free training and support to Scottish SMEs. You can learn more and access free tender training session via face-to-face events, webinars or on-demand eLearning by visiting www.sdpscotland.co.uk.

Question Scoring Guidance for Selection & Award Criteria

word icon Question Scoring Guidance for Selection & Award Criteria [18kb]

Low Value Opportunities

For Goods and Services between £10,000 and £50,000, and Works between £10,000 and £500,000, Glasgow City Council utilises a Quick Quote process conducted via Public Contracts Scotland (PCS). In order to be invited to quote you will have to be registered on this site. To register, please click on the link provided above.

Rules and Regulations

We are required to adhere to the rules and regulations laid down by procurement legislation, Scottish and UK law and published government guidance and best practice.

We must follow a formal tender process for Goods and Services over £50,000 and Works over £500,000. These tender opportunities will be advertised on the PCS website.

If the value of the Tender exceeds the GCC thresholds based on procurement law, it is also advertised on UK Find a Tender Service (FTS).

Electronic Trading

The purpose of the following guide is to outline Glasgow City Council's vision of electronic trading, to explain the process and to provide the information your company needs to enable it to trade electronically with Glasgow City Council:

pdf icon Electronic Trading Supplier Guide [59kb]

Useful Links

Corporate Procurement Unit

corporateprocurement@glasgow.gov.uk

The Supplier Journey contains guidance for suppliers on how to bid for public sector goods, services and health and social care contracts.

The Supplier Journey

Supplier Development Programme (SDP)

Glasgow City Council is a proud partner of the Supplier Development Programme, a Scotland-wide initiative that assists Scottish-based small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), supported businesses and third sector organisations to improve their performance in winning public sector contracts.

https://www.sdpscotland.co.uk/

See our Help with Tendering page for more details.

Business Gateway Scotland is a publicly funded service that provides access to free business support services to people starting or growing their own business:

http://www.bgateway.com/?gclid=CKKTjYLgocoCFQIGwwod7tMBLA

Scottish Business in the Community is a not-for-profit company committed to improve the impact business has on society - Better Business for a Better Scotland. This is based on their vision for businesses, of all sizes and in all sectors, to operate more sustainability and responsibly to improve the economic, social and environmental outcomes for Scotland:

http://www.sbcscot.com/better-business-for-a-better-scotland/