Awarding Public Contracts Skilfully and Lawfully within the Scottish Procurement Rules
Court-Proven, Solution-Focused Answers to 7 Thorny Questions: Directly from Top-Flight Policy Makers, Lawyers and Industry Experts
Live Attendance
-
Highly recommended
Out of 20,909 evaluation forms, 97.23% said "Yes, I would recommend White Paper to a colleague"
-
Information you won't find elsewhere
Our experts talk under Chatham House Rule, so you get the best, most readily usable information they wouldn't share elsewhere
Programme
-
09:30
Registration and coffee
-
10:00
Scottish & UK procurement regimes
How do Scottish contracting authorities remain compliant when operating under different procurement regimes across the UK - particularly when calling off UK-wide frameworks?
Answered by Duncan Osler, Morton Fraser MacRoberts
Duncan is “one of Scotland’s most sought-after procurement lawyers.” He regularly advises government, executive agencies, and contractors north and south of the border on the tender process.
-
10:15
Levelling the playing field
How do you level the playing field, specify correctly and assess tenders objectively when the incumbent has a favourable position or in-built advantage?
Answered by Euan Murray, Shepherd & Wedderburn
Euan has “superb technical knowledge and a pragmatic and commercial approach." He has a great strategic eye and extensive experience in handling all types of procurement cases.
-
10:55
Poor Performance
What level of poor performance would have to be demonstrated before you can exclude a tenderer? How would you evidence it, and could you look into other contracts?
Answered by Elaine McLean, Pinsent Masons
Elaine is “acclaimed for her skill in deeply complex procurement cases.” “She is highly commercial, does not hesitate to give a view and secures fantastic outcomes for her clients.”
-
11:35
Morning coffee
-
11:55
Community benefits
Are contracting authorities too risk averse when pursuing opportunities for local suppliers and community benefits? How do you balance local objectives with the rules and achieve your aim?
Answered by Charles Livingstone, Brodies
Charles led the Scotch Whisky Association's challenge to Scotland's alcohol minimum pricing legislation. “He excels in understanding the substantive law and the niceties of litigation.”
-
12:35
AI and Bids
With AI increasingly acting as a bid writer, how do you develop questions that genuinely test organisations and should you rely on interviews more than written submissions?
Answered by David Hansom, Hogan Lovells
David is "razor-sharp, incredibly clued up and achieves sensational results." He advised UK universities on the consequences of withdrawal from the EU's procurement regime.
-
13:15
Lunch
-
14:00
Abnormally low
What are you to do - lawfully and proportionately - when a tender is abnormally low, and how far can you go in asking the tenderer to reassure you otherwise, supported by practical examples?
Answered by Ruth McNaught, Burness Paull
Ruth is regularly representing public sector clients on complex issues of procurement compliance, shared services and collaboration. "She is a stand-out rising star and problem solver."
-
14:40
Negotiation with suppliers
How far can you push the line when negotiating with tenderers under the Scottish Regs., including preliminary market engagement, clarifications and post-tender discussions?
Answered by Robin Fallas, Morton Fraser MacRoberts
Robin acts for the Scottish Government, executive agencies and third and public sector contractors on procurement exercises. "He is highly knowledgeable, commercial and engaged."
-
15:20
Over-run
-
16:00
Close of conference
Live Attendance