Procurement activity during the Scottish Parliament election period: SPPN 04/2016
This note reminds staff involved in procurement activity of the need to consider their organisation's guidance on conduct during the Scottish Parliament election period.
Please note: this policy note was written at a time when Scottish procurement was subject to the EU legal framework. Some references may no longer be valid, caution should be exercised if you come across one of these references. Content should be cross-referenced with SPPNs which address questions and issues related to exit from the EU legal framework. It should also be read after taking note of the introduction on the SPPN index page.
Procurement activity during the Scottish Parliament election period
Purpose
1. To remind staff involved in procurement activity of the need to consider their organisation's guidance on conduct during the Scottish Parliament election period.
Key point
- procurement staff are reminded that procurement announcements or decisions might fall within rules on conduct of public officials during the run up to the Scottish Parliament election
Background
2. The Scottish Parliament formally dissolves at midnight on 23rd March, with the election period commencing on 24th March and running until the election takes place on 5th May. During this period, staff in some public bodies are required to adhere to special guidelines designed to ensure that the conduct of official business does not interfere with the conduct of the election. Procurement announcements and decisions can come under guidelines applicable during the election period, particularly if they are high profile and do not simply constitute part of the day to day business of government.
3. Procurement staff are strongly advised to familiarise themselves with their organisation's guidance on conduct during the Scottish Parliament election period and to exercise caution when handling announcements and/or significant decisions during this time.
Dissemination
4. Please bring this SPPN to the attention of all relevant staff, including those in Agencies, Non-Departmental Public Bodies and other sponsored public bodies within your area of responsibility.
Contact
5. Enquiries about this SPPN should be addressed to Scottish Procurement and Commercial Directorate, scottishprocurement@gov.scot
Contact
Any enquiries relating to this SPPN should be addressed to Scottish Procurement:
Scottish Procurement
The Scottish Government
5 Atlantic Quay
150 Broomielaw
Glasgow
G2 8LU
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