Scotland Excel works collaboratively with members and suppliers to raise procurement standards and secure best value for customers.
Commodity categories
Within his report on public sector procurement, John F McClelland CBE categorised the goods and and services procured by Scotland's public sector into three groups.
These categories provide guidance on where contractual responsibility should lie for the procurement of different types of commodity. As well as providing a strategic framework for public procurement activity, they can also help suppliers identify which organisations may have tender opportunities for their products and services.
Category A
These are goods and services that are commonly used across the whole of the public sector. IT services, utilities, office supplies and telecommunications are included in this group. Procurement Scotland manages all Category A contracts in Scotland and host a contract directory section on their website.
Category B
There are goods and services that are commonly used across a specific sector for example, medical supplies used by the NHS or laboratory equipment used by universities and colleges. Scotland Excel is responsible for all Category B contracts for local authorities.
Category C
These are goods and services for which contracts are established at a local level by a single organisation. In the local government sector, individual councils are responsible for developing and implementing Category C contracts. However, councils may work together to implement a collaborative contract on a regional level, (Category C1).