Contracts awarded to supported businesses: FOI release

Information requested

The number of contracts you have awarded to supported businesses in each of the last five financial years (i.e. 2019-20, 2020-21, 2021-22, 2022-23 and 2023-24).

The cumulative value of your spend on these contracts in each of these years.

For each of these years, the number of contracts awarded to supported businesses that you have utilised by any procurement body of which you are member.

The cumulative value of spend by you on those contracts awarded by any procurement body of which you are a member in each of these years.

Response

The Accountant in Bankruptcy is an Agency of the Scottish Government and follow guidance issued in relation to supported businesses. Information relating to this can be found at SME, third sector organisations and supported business access to public contracts - Public sector procurement - gov.scot (www.gov.scot).

Due to the nature of our requirements we have limited opportunities for supported business involvement, however Procurement staff are aware of the wider benefits of using supported businesses wherever possible and continue to promote these throughout the Agency, particularly with Facilities Management staff for signage, desks and chairs. Furthermore, the option to reserve a contract for supported businesses is discussed with the User Intelligence Group should any supported businesses be identified in a procurement process.
The answer to your questions are:

1. Number of contracts:
2019-20: as a result of a mini competition using the SG collaborative Supported Business framework we awarded a contract to Dovetail Enterprises Ltd for new office furniture as part of the Conference Room upgrade project. AiB also placed an order with Haven Products Limited for signage.
2020-21: nil
2021-22: nil
2022-23: nil
2023-24: nil

2. Figures are inclusive of VAT
a) Dovetail Enterprises Ltd: £13,383.00
b) Haven Products Limited: £322.68
Total: £13,705.68

3. Other than the contracts identified in Q1, there were no other supported business contracts utilised by AiB.

4. Other than the contracts identified in Q1, there were no other supported business contracts utilised by AiB. 

We publish our Procurement Strategy on the website with the most recent being Accountant in Bankruptcy - Scotland's Insolvency Service - AiB Procurement Report 2022-23. Annual procurement reports are expected to be published approximately four to five months following the end of the financial year. The 2023–24 annual report will be published on the website in due course. Previous reports are available, please contact me if you would like copies.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at http://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.