Chamber and committees

The evidence that we have heard over the past few weeks from suppliers and buyers is that, when the website was introduced back in 2008, it was very welcome as it provided one point where people could find all the contracts. Sixteen years later, however, it is looking a bit dated in comparison with other e-tendering systems. Can you highlight what the plans are to replace or upgrade that system in the future? In addition, for my benefit, can you tell us why there are two systems? There is Public Contracts Scotland and a separate tendering system.

That would reduce the administrative burden that a lot of suppliers feel they have.

I put my question to everybody else. Julie, do you have views on how to improve the system?

The only relevant interest that I have to declare is that my wife is a local government councillor.

As a buyer who uses the portal to put up contracts for suppliers, how easy do you find it to use?

Are the two systems used for different things, or are they different stages of the same process?

The Public Contracts Scotland website has been on the go since 2008. When it was introduced, it was a good improvement on where we were previously, but what is your experience as buyers who are using that website now? Is there anything that could be improved, as we move forward? Gordon Beattie mentioned that the website is currently under review. Can you say why that is and what difficulties you are trying to address?

Joe Rowan, I think that Scottish Water does not use the platform because you have your own e-sourcing portal. Have you compared it with the Public Contracts Scotland website?

Does your platform have any functionality that we should be building into Public Contracts Scotland’s website?

Good morning.

I want to ask you specifically about your experience of using the Public Contracts Scotland website. It has been on the go since 2008, and although there have been improvements in recent years, I am interested to hear your experiences. Last week, we heard from suppliers that having one portal is an improvement on what existed before—it is more transparent and it opens up opportunities for more suppliers—but it has been a bit clunky, although it has improved. What is your experience of using it?