Public Procurement and Property

SME and Third Sector Procurement Action plan update

September 9, 2026 by Scottish Procurement No Comments | Category Procurement news, Scottish Procurement, SMEs

Our  SME and Third Sector Procurement Action Plan explains how we will make it easier for small businesses and third sector organisations to win public contracts. It reaffirms our commitment to supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and third sector organisations and sets out how we will continue to collaborate with industry and the wider public sector across Scotland.

Since publication of the Action Plan, we have delivered a range of improvements to support supplier engagement with public procurement. These include enhancing accessibility and guidance across procurement systems, promoting Fair Work and prompt payment, increasing visibility of future contracting opportunities, supporting consortium bidding, strengthening engagement with SMEs and third sector organisations, and improving the data and insight used to shape procurement policy and practice.

Last August, we published our first annual update, which detailed progress made during the first year of delivery. Watch the video from our working group to find out more about the achievements highlighted in that update.

This year, we have produced a further video showcasing additional progress made during year two of the Action Plan, including work on procurement thresholds, consortium bidding guidance, the Fair Payment Code, supplier engagement and improvements to procurement data and management information.