Public procurement: survey of suppliers 2024

1. Executive Summary

We carried out a survey of suppliers to the Scottish public sector between 10 September and 19 November 2024. The survey aimed to help us better understand the Scottish public procurement process from the perspective of suppliers. A total of 344 responses were received. Please note, this report reflects the responses of these 344 suppliers, which may not be representative of all suppliers to the Scottish public sector.

A summary of key findings are as follows:

• A wide variety of suppliers responded to the survey. Micro businesses (fewer than 10 members of staff) made up 40% of respondents (139 respondents, n=344), and 87% were Small or Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) (298 respondents).^[1] Each major business sector was represented, with the largest group classing their work as professional, scientific and technical activities (including social and scientific research) (16%, 50 respondents, n=319).
• Suppliers feel that they have the skills and tools required to bid for Scottish public sector contracts.
  • 85% of respondents (214 respondents, n=253) agreed or strongly agreed that they are able to satisfy the qualification criteria for tender requirements.
  • 79% of respondents (199 respondents, n=252) agreed or strongly agreed that they are able to submit a bid within the given timescales.
  • 64% of respondents (161 respondents, n=252) agreed or strongly agreed that they are able to respond effectively to evaluation criteria for tender requirements.
  • 62% of respondents (156 respondents, n=252) agreed or strongly agreed that they are able to communicate their value proposition effectively to inform their bids.
• Respondents reported that the sustainable procurement duty is being included in their contracts, with:
  • 79% of respondents (198 respondents, n=250) reporting that Fair Work practices were always or often included in contracts.
  • 75% of respondents (189 respondents, n=251) reporting that environmental impacts or concerns were always or often included in contracts.
  • 68% of respondents (171 respondents, n=251) reporting that community benefits were always or often included in contracts.
• Some respondents reported difficulties in obtaining feedback from Scottish public bodies on their bids, and in communicating with Scottish public bodies more generally. Of those who had bid for a Scottish public sector contract, 24% (60 respondents, n=251) reported they had received no feedback on any of their bids in the last two years. A further 69% of respondents (173 respondents, n=250) reported that communication with Scottish public sector buyers always, often or sometimes posed a difficulty.
• 30% of respondents (22 respondents, n=74), who had acted as a sub-contractor on a Scottish public sector contract reported not always having been paid within 30 days of the contracting party receiving a valid invoice. However, among all respondents who had acted as a sub-contractor, 78% (58 respondents, n=74) rated their experience as good or excellent.
• The majority of respondents (57%, 195 respondents, n=341) reported that nobody in their organisation had received training, advice or support on tendering for Scottish public sector contracts. Of the 36% of respondents (122 in total, n=341) who had received training, advice or support on tendering for Scottish public sector contracts, 57% (69 respondents, n=122) rated their experience as good or excellent.
• Respondents raised a few additional concerns in their free text responses. Some common themes across the free text questions included:
  • Difficulties for small businesses to compete for contracts.
  • Difficulties in communicating with public sector buyers.
  • Concerns over the complexity and time requirements of the procurement process.
  • Concerns over transparency and the decision making process during tendering.