Procurement - grant fund manager - dynamic purchasing system (DPS): buyer guide

Supplementary information

Fair work

For more information on Fair Work practices, please see the Scottish Procurement Policy Note (SPPN) 1/2015.

When establishing the DPS, suppliers were required to confirm that they pay staff the Real Living Wage (RLW) and commit to paying all staff involved in the DPS Call-Off Contract the RLW. Any supplier who failed to commit to this was automatically rejected from the DPS. Suppliers were also asked to confirm whether they are RLW Accredited; however, this was for statistical purposes only. Fair Work practices should be evaluated further at the Call-Off stage. Therefore, buyers are actively encouraged to incorporate Fair Work practices within their individual Invitations to Tender (ITT).

Community benefits

Details of any community benefits should be included within the Invitation to Tender (ITT) at Call-Off stage.

Cyber security

Buyers are responsible for ensuring Cyber Security requirements are included and assessed as part of the Call-Off process. More information on Cyber Security is available.

Data protection

Buyers are responsible for ensuring data protection elements are checked and addressed if required as part of the Call-Off process. See the data protection impact assessment for further information.

Further information

The DPS cannot be used for “Direct Awards”. The procurement rules state that each requirement under a DPS must be competed and all suppliers must be invited to bid.

Providing feedback is required for all Call-Off contracts with a contract value of £50,000 or above.  Below the £50,000 threshold it is advised that buyers should offer to provide feedback which also can be seen as being good practice.  Where you do provide or offer feedback you should treat all suppliers equally.

Within the DPS there is no minimum or maximum duration that Call-Off Contracts should be published for however, the duration should be proportionate to the complexity of the ITT. There is no requirement to undertake a Standstill Period when awarding a Call-Off Contract via the DPS.  As with all procurement procedures, the DPS should not be used in a way which may distort or prevent competition.