Engineering and technical framework awarded

The third generation engineering and technical consultancy framework is now live and expected to see a spend of around £18m a year. It will be in place for four years.

A total of 31 suppliers - including 11 who are SME or micro businesses - have been awarded onto the framework, which will help councils source a range of specialist services to support construction infrastructure across Scotland.

It will offer councils and associate members quick access to suppliers that have gone through a detailed tender process and are ready to do business in specialist areas including:

• Road and structures
• Transportation and traffic
• Environmental engineering
• Land surveying
• Drainage and flooding
• Geoenvironmental and Geotechnical
• Coastal and maritime
• Master planning
• Project and commercial management

Julie Welsh, Chief Executive of Scotland Excel said: “Scottish councils regularly require specialist technical and engineering services in order to plan and implement the wide range of investment projects and improvement works that are delivered within their communities. 

“I welcome the launch of our third generation Engineering and Technical Consultancy contract which will give local authorities easy access to a range of suppliers, while also bringing efficiencies for councils.  The framework is also good for business as the 31 UK- based suppliers are a mix of micro, small, medium and large businesses.”

All suppliers have pledged to offer local community benefits, based on council spend thresholds, for the lifetime of the framework.

The contract brings estimated savings for councils of around 3.7%, has fixed prices for 12 months, and promotes fair working practices with 30 of the 31 suppliers paying the Real Living Wage.

Julie Welsh added: “Scotland Excel is committed to developing our innovative framework portfolio to evolve with the needs of our member councils and associates. I’m delighted this framework builds on the previous generation by incorporating master planning and coastal and maritime works, while also adopting the latest industry standard contract suite - New Engineering Contract 4.”