Scotland Excel manage a £2bn portfolio of over 70 collaborative contracts on behalf of the Scottish Government. Frameworks are two stage procurement approaches that initially select suppliers of commonly procured goods, services or works who have signed up to pre-agreed terms and conditions. Frameworks ensure that members achieve best value from procurement through their combined spending power.
At the launch of the new framework, Scotland Excel stated:
The third generation Domestic Furniture and Furnishings Framework which helps Scottish councils and housing associations quickly source furniture and furnishings for tenants facing crisis, went live on 1st March 2021.
Seven Scottish bidders — all micro, SME or third sector organisations — were awarded a place on the framework that’s expected to be worth around £105 million over four years.
It enables councils to quickly and efficiently provide furniture and furnishings, through the Social Welfare Fund, to people facing crisis or who need support to set up a home, by sourcing from framework suppliers which have been through the tender process and are ready to do business.
The framework offers the choice of brand-new goods (Lot 1), provided by businesses, or quality reused goods (Lot 2), provided through Circular Communities Scotland, a network of charities and social enterprises that supports Scotland’s circular economy (link). The second iteration of the framework saw £1m spent on reused goods.