Improvement Service

A consultancy framework designed to help councils cut the time and money spent on procurement of services has been developed by the Improvement Service.

The Consultancy Framework Contract gives councils and their partners access to suppliers of services across a number of areas at very competitive rates. As well as providing access to rates and discount options that are often unavailable on the open market, the Contract should also help reduce the volume of individual procurement exercises and the time and resources spent on them.

There are 10 categories in the Contract; each one has a mix of SMEs and larger suppliers. The categories are:

1. Consultancy 
2. Events 
3. PR & Marketing 
4. Facilitation 
5. Research & Evaluation 
6. Training Development 
7. Web Content 
8. Staff / Team Development 
9. KM Tools & Techniques 
10. Design-related Services

A consultants profile for each of the 10 categories is available through the Contract. These contain information on each supplier including contact information, key business, previous experience and tender highlights. The Contract also provides the Framework Terms of Reference, Full Pricing Catalogue, Framework Conditions of Contract and Statement on call-offs.

The Framework Contract is available free of charge to all Scottish councils and other publicly funded organisations. Sufficient consultation throughout the process means that councils can be assured they can legally use the Contract.

You can find out more about the Contract and how to use it effectively at www.improvementservice.org.uk/the-improvement-service-consultancy-framework-contract/ . This area is password-protected. To gain access, please contact your own council's procurement team which should hold all login details. Alternatively, contact Loraine Higgins, Business Manager at the Improvement Service on 01506 775587.