Procurement

As a public sector organisation, our procurement activity is guided by legislation and best practice.

Our procurement strategy

Our Procurement Strategy (published January 2024) sets out our procurement objectives. 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.

The Scottish Government's Engaging with Public Procurement Scotland guide also has useful information.

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 contracts and community benefits

Explore here how businesses of all sizes are delivering meaningful contributions, in part through their contracts with us.

Northern Recycling Solutions’ contract with us shows how local SMEs can drive both community welfare and environmental sustainability through public sector contracts.

Northern Recycling Solutions