Public procurement notice: Contract Notice
Published: 2017-03-03
Buyer: The Common Services Agency (more commonly known as NHS National Services Scotland) (‘the Authority’)
Country: UK
Region: SCOTLAND
Contract type: Supplies
Procedure: Open procedure
CPV classification: 33141720
Estimated value: 7000000 GBP
Submission deadline: 2017-04-03
Award criteria: The most economic tender

Technical requirements: It is a requirement of this contract that bidders hold, or can commit to obtain prior to the commencement of any subsequently awarded contract, the types and levels of insurance indicated below:
Employer's (Compulsory) Liability Insurance of 2 million pounds sterling (This requirement relates to ESPD 4B.5.1)and
1. The bidder must confirm that all products supplied under this framework are CE marked in accordance with Medical Devices Directive 93/42/EEC. This requirement relates to ESPD 4C.12
2. The bidder must hold a UKAS (or equivalent) accredited independent third party certificate of compliance in accordance with BS EN ISO 9001(or equivalent). This requirement relates to ESPD 4D.1
3. Working towards more sustainable solutions — possibly towards a circular economy model: Suppliers must commit to working with us, during the lifetime of this contract, to investigate / trial / develop sustainable solutions for the future re-tender.
The Common Services Agency (more commonly known as National Services Scotland) (‘the Authority’) acting through its division National Procurement, is undertaking this procurement of Walking Aids(‘Products’) on behalf of all entities constituted pursuant to the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978, (i.e. all NHS Scotland Health Boards, Special Health Boards and the Authority or other NHS Organisation established pursuant to the NHS (Scotland) Act 1978), any integrated Joint Boards established pursuant to the new Public Bodies (Joint Working) Scotland Act 2014 (collectively hereafter referred) and Health & Social Care Northern Ireland.
Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015.
The Public Sector in Scotland is committed to the delivery of high quality public services, and recognises that this is critically dependent on a workforce that is well-rewarded, well-motivated, well-led, has access to appropriate opportunities for training and skills development, diverse and engaged in decision making. These factors are also important for workforce recruitment and retention, and thus continuity of service. Public Bodies in Scotland are adopting fair work practices, which include:
A fair and equal pay policy that includes a commitment to supporting the Living Wage, including, for example being a Living Wage Accredited Employer;
clear managerial responsibility to nurture talent and help individuals fulfil their potential, including for example, a strong commitment to Modern Apprenticeships and the development of Scotland's young workforce;
Promoting equality of opportunity and developing a workforce which reflects the population of Scotland in terms of characteristics such as age, gender, religion or belief, race, sexual orientation and disability;
Stability of employment and hours of work, and avoiding exploitative employment practices, including for example no inappropriate use of zero-hours contracts;
Flexible working (including for example practices such as flexi-time and career breaks) and support for family friendly working and wider work life balance;
Support progressive workforce engagement, for example Trade Union recognition and representation where possible, otherwise alternative arrangements to give staff an effective voice.
In order to ensure the highest standards of service quality in this contract we expect contractors to take a similarly positive approach to fair work practices as part of a fair and equitable employment and reward package.


Award value: 7000000