Transport Scotland delivers its trunk road responsibilities with the assistance of contractors, consultants and our four Operating Companies.
It is important that public contracts are awarded fairly, transparently and on merit.
We procure a range of specialist services including design, consultation, construction, highway operation and maintenance and supporting management systems.
The type and value of the service determines the procurement process. In most cases, contracts are procured using a competitive tender process in accordance with EU and UK procurement rules. Under these rules, if the value of a contract is expected to exceed a threshold of £3.9M, a Contract Notice must be published in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU).
In addition to OJEU, all of Transport Scotland contracts are advertised in Public Contracts Scotland irrespective of value.
Maintenance
Maintenance work carried out on Scotland’s trunk road network is managed by the Operating Companies.
Under the present operating company contracts, work with an estimated value of less than £250,000 can be carried out by the Operating Company or their in-house sub-contractors.
Work with an estimated value of more than £250,000 will be put out to competitive tender.
Large Projects
Works with an estimated contract valued of over £3M are referred to as major projects.
Such projects are usually procured using a Design and Build contract.
The private finance form of contract, known as a Public Private Partnership, is used for certain very large projects.
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