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Publication - Progress report

Procurement: SME and third sector action plan - updates

Published
26 August 2025
Directorate
Scottish Procurement and Property Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Shows progress against commitments in our action plan to make it easier for small businesses and third sector organisations to win public contracts.

Next steps and conclusion

Plans for 2025 to 2026

Internal engagement

We will:

  • facilitate monthly working group meetings focusing on the progress of the action plan, ways to collaborate and opportunities to share progress with colleagues across the Directorate
  • utilise internal communication channels to increase colleague collaboration and consistency
  • review working group membership to support diversity and bring in new voices
  • tap into expertise – learn where colleagues can support in driving forward outstanding actions

External engagement

We will:

  • facilitate one-to-one engagement with a broad range of stakeholders - for example, Procurement Supply Group members and organisations recommended by them
  • promote the action plan across the public sector through forum discussions, round tables and social media activity

Improving resources

We will:

  • utilise feedback captured in the supplier survey to identify emerging themes and trends
  • support the evaluation of feedback to uncover and address gaps in SME resources and assistance
  • develop and publish an FAQ document in a central location to improve transparency and stakeholder support

Measurements

We will:

  • review supplier survey data and create visual data packs to highlight stakeholder insights, set performance benchmarks, and inform ongoing improvements
  • use tools such as Slido to gather real time feedback over a period to review track feedback – this will allow us to identify emerging themes and barriers such as funding gaps, lack of opportunities and exclusion
  • create Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to support in measuring progress against the Public Procurement Strategy for Scotland's vision 

Conclusion

 This is beginning of continued progress, with year two plans for 2025 and 2026 developing.

Stakeholder engagement will continue alongside regular updates via our social media channels as work progresses to make public procurement more inclusive and accessible to SMEs and third sector organisations:

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