Foreword

Transport Scotland is the national transport agency for Scotland and performs a crucial role in the movement of people, essential goods and services. Procurement underpins much of the delivery of our priorities, as well as having a notable impact on Transport Scotland’s performance and success. Transport Scotland’s Procurement Strategy is revised annually in line with requirements of sections 15, 17 and 19 of the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014.

Our Procurement Strategy 2023-2024 is underpinned by the recognition of the wider impact that procurement policy and practice has on achieving the Scottish Government’s Purpose, as it is set out in the National Performance Framework. The commitments made in this Procurement Strategy support our vision for procurement:

The procurement of works, services and goods to support infrastructure investment enables the delivery of a sustainable, inclusive, safe and accessible transport system for the benefit of the people of Scotland.

Independent assessment through the Scottish Government’s Procurement and Commercial Improvement Programme has verified that Transport Scotland has a high level of procurement capability. We continue to look at ways to build on this achievement by improving our performance, procuring in a sustainable manner, and encouraging innovation to achieve the maximum benefit from the Scottish Government’s investment in transport while promoting a just transition to net zero.

The COVID-19 pandemic caused significant pressures on society, the economy and the transport network, and we are working with transport operators and our suppliers to support their recovery from this period. Ensuring that our procurements support the development of our supply chain, provide opportunities for Fair Work, and drive the Scottish Government’s net zero agenda are key to supporting that recovery, in line with the National Strategy for Economic Transformation.