Western Isles council review standing lists

“Public Contracts Scotland”

In accordance with good practice the Comhairle is currently carrying out a review of the Standing Lists of Contractors for procuring building, civil engineering and “specialist” works.

The Comhairle is now required to advertise projects as widely as possible when procuring works and will make use of the Public Contracts Scotland ‘Portal’ Website for projects of an estimated value higher than £450,000.

Works of an estimated value up to £450,000 will therefore generally be procured using the Standing Lists of Contractors. However, the Comhairle may occasionally wish to make use of a Public Contracts Scotland Portal advertisement to seek tenders for specific ‘specialist’ projects below that value.

These changes mean that it has been necessary therefore to completely review the current Standing Lists, particularly with regard to the value bands of projects for which Contractors may wish to be invited to tender.

Similarly the lists of “specialist” contractors have been rationalised to trades or specialists likely to be invited to carry out works for the Comhairle, albeit in most cases likely to be on an approved sub-contractor basis rather than as a main contractor.  The requirement to widely advertise larger projects on the Public Contracts Scotland website means that there is now no need for the Comhairle to maintain large lists of specialist contractors other than under the revised headings now listed.

“Information and Guidance”

There has been a good response to the initial review request from the Comhairle to existing Contractors; however, a number of Contractors who regularly tender for work for the Comhairle still need to get in touch, by 30 June 2010, to tell us what type of works and what value bands they are interested in.  Some Contractors, for instance, may now be employing their own electricians or painters and may wish to be placed on these Lists; some Contractors may wish to apply for the Landscaping List or may have an expertise in Flat Roofing.

Accordingly all Contractors wishing to review and maintain their place on the Comhairle’s Standing Lists of Contractors, or new Contractors wishing to apply, should complete the Application form which is available to download, along with Information and Guidance notes, at www.cne-siar.gov.uk/techservices and www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk.