Public Procurement and Property

Coronavirus (COVID-19): supplier relief SPPN 5/2020

March 30, 2020 by Ray Knox No Comments | Category buyers, COVID-19, Procurement news, Scottish Procurement, Scottish Procurement Policy Note, suppliers

New guidance for public bodies has been published in this policy note for public sector organisations on options to support their suppliers to ensure service continuity during the current Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

This follows a statement issued by the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Fair Work and Culture Fiona Hyslop and STUC General Secretary Grahame Smith outlining the shared commitment to Fair Work practices in Scotland.

This SPPN applies with immediate effect and until 30 June 2020; it will be subject to review. Public bodies are urged to take immediate action to review their current contracts and consider the options set out in the guidance to provide supplier relief. This includes:

• modifying terms of contracts to offer contractors relief
• agreeing interim payment proposals and modifications to current contracts
• accelerating payment practices to ensure suppliers are paid as quickly as possible

This guidance also provides a suggested template document that public bodies may wish to use when liaising with suppliers to agree interim payment proposals and modifications to current contracts.

Tags: buyers, Scottish Procurement, Scottish Procurement Policy Note, Scottish public sector, SPPN, Suppliers

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