Find out more about our procurement practices.
Our procurement practices
Procurement
As a public sector organisation, our procurement activity is guided by legislation and best practice.
Our procurement strategy
Our Procurement Strategy for 2018-2021 (updated August 2020) sets out our procurement objectives and an action plan. It aims to ensure that the wider requirements of the public procurement reform agenda are adhered to. We have developed our strategy in line with local and national priorities to support our corporate aims and objectives.
We are keen to receive comments, observations or suggestions from external parties about the content of the Strategy. To comment, please email your views to hieprocurement@hient.co.uk stating whether you're responding as a member of the public, member of staff, contractor, industry body or otherwise.
Supplier opportunities
We advertise supplier opportunities through the Public Contracts Scotland website. Have a look at the site for free access to public sector contracts in Scotland, including those from:
- Scottish Local Authorities
- NHS Scotland
- The Scottish Government
- Public agencies and Non-departmental Public Bodies (NDPBs)
- Higher and Further Education institutes
- Emergency Services, amongst others.
You can also register to receive free email alerts for the types of contracts you may be interested in.
Our Procurement Practices
Find out more information on how we manage procurement.
Our procurement practices
Delivering community benefits
As the economic development agency for the Highlands and Islands, it’s important to us that our contracts support economic growth and deliver community benefits.
We ask all suppliers bidding to work with us how their delivery of the contract will provide community benefits. Initiatives can include:
- Targeted recruitment and training initiatives.
- Supporting educational initiatives e.g. offering work experience or placement; a local school visit to explain what you do and routes to getting into the profession.
- Supply chain initiatives and/or development
- Support for community and/or environmental initiatives which may be taking place in the local community.
- Supported business, third sector and voluntary initiatives e.g. offering this sector sub-contracting opportunities to deliver elements of the contract.
- Support for equality and diversity initiatives that encourage inclusiveness
- The use of Gaelic to achieve both cultural and economic benefits.
- Charitable donations or financial contributions to community activities or facilities.
- Supplier engagement with schools, colleges or universities.
- Support and development opportunities delivered to young people.
Our practices and processes
Find out more about our procurement practices below. You can also read a great case study of a business delivering community benefits.
We consider sustainability throughout the entire procurement life cycle, meeting our legal and financial obligations, following best practice and achieving economic, environmental and social benefits.
Sustainable procurement procedures
A great example of how to deliver community benefits
OnTime IT & Comms Limited