Priority 4
Transport Scotland will use the procurement programme to maximise the impact of the sustainable procurement duty.
Delivery sub-action 4.1
Ensure compliance with the sustainable procurement duty, such that our contracts are procured and managed in an economically, socially and environmentally sustainable manner.
It is mandatory for all regulated procurements within Transport Scotland to have an approved project procurement strategy. The procurement strategy records economic, social and environmental requirements and relevant issues, such as sustainability criteria, that should be considered for each procurement. The procurement team undertake compliance checks to ensure these requirements are implemented within tender documentation and sustainability measures noted within the strategy are delivered.
One example of a Transport Scotland works contract that demonstrates this compliance is the A92/A96 Haudagain Improvement scheme, which opened in May 2022. It was a contractual requirement that sustainability on the Haudagain Improvement scheme was monitored on a monthly basis. Contractual reporting requirements covering all areas of sustainability including environmental, ecology, landscaping, carbon management, waste management and community benefits. The monitoring requirements embedded within the contract enabled the project team to ensure that the sustainability commitments made during the procurement process were delivered. This project achieved an ‘Excellent’ Interim Client and Design award from CEEQUAL (now BREEAM) in the design phase and the project team are seeking to achieve an ‘Excellent’ whole project award rating for the construction phase. Prior to the main works construction contract commencing, an advance works demolition contract resulted in the recycling of over 97% of the demolition material. The construction contract includes provision of an energy management plan, waste management plan, and both environmental and carbon management systems. During the construction phase low-emission vehicles were used by the site representatives in line with the contract stipulation that this type of vehicle must be provided by the contractor.
Delivery sub-action 4.2
Support project teams to maximise the impact of the sustainable procurement duty within their procurements and contracts.
The Scottish Government sustainability test needs to be completed for each regulated procurement during the development of the procurement strategy to ensure relevant and proportionate sustainability requirements are embedded in the procurements of frameworks and contracts from the beginning of the process.
This requires project managers to provide details of the social, economic and environmental elements of the proposed procurement that will be addressed by developing a suitable specification and evaluation criteria.
Project managers are directed to SPPNs and Scottish Government guidance on sustainability when completing procurement strategies. In addition, the procurement team have developed model questions that can be used Fair Work First evaluation criteria and a community benefits matrix which can be included in tender documentation.
The Maritime Consultancy Services Framework Agreement which was awarded during the reporting period included quality criteria on both Fair Work First and community benefits. The successful suppliers committed to delivering and reporting on community benefits realised during each reporting period across a range of relevant areas including, but not limited to, employment opportunities, transferrable skills and training opportunities and SME, third sector and supported business opportunities.
Delivery sub-action 4.3
Promote the inclusion of community benefits considerations throughout the development of contracts.
Community benefits are considered in the procurement strategy for all regulated procurements. Community benefits are also reviewed as part of the lessons learned process.
Transport Scotland requires project teams to consider the community local to where the contract will be delivered and include relevant information with the tender documents. This knowledge sharing supports our suppliers in delivering community benefits which are tailored to the needs of the local area.
Transport Scotland has continued to review and update its guidance to assist project managers when assessing the potential to include community benefits into their procurements. The guidance provides draft text and guidance for consideration in tenders and contracts of varying values and requires project managers to consider community benefits throughout the development and procurement of the contract. Regular training on community benefits has been provided to Transport Scotland staff to highlight the importance of best practice in this area.
During this reporting period, contracts which include community benefits requirements have delivered a wide range of benefits to communities, including training and employment opportunities as well as providing support to community organisations. More detailed information on community benefits delivered during the reporting period can be found in Appendix B.
More generally, Transport Scotland endeavours to minimise impacts on communities caused by our works contracts where possible. One example of this is the work being undertaken on the M8 Woodside Viaduct as part of the Scottish Trunk Road Network Management Contract – ‘South East Unit', where bi-monthly meetings were held with Queens Cross Housing Association to discuss how Transport Scotland in partnership with the project’s principal contractor, Amey, could address concerns about access. Outcomes of these discussions resulted in the principal contractor assisting with gritting of roads and footpaths surrounding the works, refurbishment of uneven footpaths and access for local pedestrians being maintained to minimise disruption for local businesses while the essential work is ongoing.
Delivery sub-action 4.4
Ensure that our procurement activity promotes Fair Work First, including the use of the Living Wage and the Modern Slavery Act and the procurement of fair and ethically traded goods and services.
A training course on Fair Work First has been developed and delivered, ensuring that staff are kept up to date with the Scottish Government’s Fair Work First Guidance, the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 Statutory Guidance and Scottish Procurement Policy Note (SPPN) 6/2021, and understand how this should be incorporated into procurements and contracts.
Fair Work First is considered within the procurement strategy for all regulated procurements, and Fair Work questions are included in the tender documents for all procurement processes, where it is proportionate to do so. This requires suppliers to provide details which demonstrate their approach to fair work and the Real Living Wage, ensuring our suppliers adhere to relevant legal obligations, including workplace standards and labour laws.