Commercial and Procurement services supplier newsletters

September 2025 Newsletter

Welcome to the autumn edition of our quarterly Supplier Newsletter.

Our focus in this Newsletter is highlighting what resources are out there to help you work with us as a supplier. We take a look at Public Contracts Scotland and the recent changes which make it easier for third sector organisations to identify themselves on the platform which in turn makes it easier for buyers to search for them. We also share details of some useful training workshops which the Supplier Development Programme are running in the next few months, for SMEs, social enterprises, third sector and supported businesses that want to take the first steps to become “tender ready”.

Our colleagues in Business Gateway share some funding opportunities for new businesses that may need some support in starting out and share a date for your diary of the next “Meet the Council” event which will take place this February.

We also mark Scotland’s Climate Week by highlighting some tools and resources that are designed to help small to medium sized organisations reduce their emissions.

Finally, our usual update on upcoming tender opportunities and encourage you to register for alerts on the Public Contract Scotland website. You can also read the Council’s annual procurement report which as well as looking back over the year on contracts awarded and some of the benefits these will bring, looks forward over the next two years at some of the anticipated contracts and frameworks.

If you would like to receive our quarterly supplier newsletter direct to your inbox, please email us at supplierdevelopment@edinburgh.gov.uk.

We look forward to working with you.

Lynette Robertson

Head of Commercial and Procurement Services

Public Contracts Scotland – making Third Sector organisations more visible

Public Contracts Scotland (PCS) is the national online portal for the Scottish public sector to advertise contract opportunities for goods, works, and services. The City of Edinburgh Council use this portal to advertise our procurement notices and issue requests for quotes. You must register as a supplier on the portal (which is free) and it’s really important to sign up for alerts for any future opportunities that you may be interested in. Recent improvements to Public Contracts Scotland (PCS) make it easier for third sector organisations to identify themselves on the platform which makes it easier for buyers to search for them. We would encourage you to use this opportunity to help the Council to work with third sector providers.

What’s Changed?

  • simplified registration process – you can now easily identify yourself as a third sector organisation when registering on PCS
  • enhanced visibility – your organisation becomes searchable by buyers specifically looking for third sector suppliers

How to Register

  1. Register on PCS if you haven’t already, there are user guides to help you
  2. If you are a third sector organisation, use the new identifier when completing your registration
  3. Create or update your supplier finder profile – this is your searchable company profile highlighting the goods and services you provide
  4. Complete all relevant sections to maximise your visibility to buyers
  5. Press publish to make your profile live

Upcoming Free Training Events via The Supplier Development Programme (SDP)

If you’re a Scottish SME or third sector organisation interested in working with the public sector, SDP can help. They offer expert training, support and information to help you win work and grow your business. And best of all – it’s completely free. All you need to do is register with SDP to access the training.

1.1 Working with the Public Sector - All You Need to Know

Tuesday 30 September 2025, 10:30am-12:00pm (Webinar)

New to bidding, tendering and procurement? Join this introductory course to gain a comprehensive overview of the public sector marketplace in Scotland and beyond

1.2 Using Public Contracts Scotland (PCS) – How to Find and Bid for Opportunities (Thursday 9 October 2025, 2.30 – 4pm webinar)

This workshop is for SMEs and supported businesses that want to take the first steps to become “tender ready.” Learn about Public Contracts Scotland (PCS), Quick Quotes, Supplier Profile, PCS-T and other e-tendering systems at this workshop. This is an ideal workshop for anyone new to using PCS.

OR

1.2 Using Public Contracts Scotland (PCS) – How to Find and Bid for Opportunities

(Thursday 13 November 2025, 10:30am – 12:00pm Webinar)

Start Up Grants for New Businesses

A start-up grant fund for those in their first 12 months of trading is now available for applications.  Awards are available for up to £4,000.

We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where all belong. We therefore particularly encourage applications from business owners from underrepresented demographics. These include people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, disabled people, LGBTQI+ people, women and those living in SIMD 1 and 2 (lowest economically active postcodes).

For full scheme guidance and an application form please speak with your Business Gateway adviser. If you don’t have an adviser yet, then you can get one by emailing bglothian@bgateway.com

Meet the City of Edinburgh Council – Forthcoming Event – 3 February 2026

We are delighted to announce the next Meet the Council Event will take place on Tuesday, 3 February 2026. This is an opportunity to meet and chat in person with business facing teams and related external partner organisations. It will take place at The Assembly Rooms, George Street, and bring a wealth of knowledge, expertise, and guidance together at this ‘one stop shop’ to help local businesses understand the range of ways the City of Edinburgh Council can support them.

Procurement colleagues will be delivering a presentation at the event which aims to help guide businesses through the procurement process and provide helpful hints and tips. The Supplier Development Programme (SDP) will also be sharing their top tips for tendering.

Don't miss out on this chance to connect directly with your local business support services! Please visit Eventbrite to find out more or register to attend.

Scotland’s Climate Week

Scotland’s Climate Week is an annual event that raises awareness of the global climate emergency and encourages climate action across the country. This year it’s from 29 September to 5 October and Net Zero Nation website provides different ways for how you can take part. We regularly provide updates through the Newsletter on resources and help available through Business Gateway, Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce, Business Energy Scotland, Adaptation Scotland etc. Please check previous issues for themed updates or head to the Scottish Business Climate Collaboration website to access tools and knowledge that are designed to help small to medium sized organisations reduce their emissions.

Supplier drop-in sessions

Commercial and Procurement Services team runs monthly virtual 1-2-1 engagement sessions. These are an excellent opportunity to ask any burning questions you may have if you’re interested in working in, or becoming part of, the supply chain that delivers goods, services or works to the Council. If you’d like to drop-in, please email procurement.delivery@edinburgh.gov.uk.

Tender opportunities

You can find details of contract opportunities with the Council on the Public Contract Scotland website. You will also find future opportunities for noting interest and engaging in the development where appropriate, we expect these will include the following.

Current opportunities

  • CT1542 Sheriff Officer Services. The Council is seeking to establish a Framework Agreement for the provision of Sheriff Officer Services. This service recovers funds from debt streams including unpaid Council Tax, Business Rates, Housing Benefit Overpayments, Parking Fines and Sundry Debt.
  • CT0640 Contractor Works Framework Agreement. The City of Edinburgh Council require a multi lot framework agreement to deliver repair, maintenance and upgrade capital and other works across its estate. Further information on Lots is available in the advert.

Prior Information Notices

Future opportunities

  • Operational Property Insurance, estimated publishing date October 2025
  • Concession Contract for Ross Bandstand and West Princes Street Gardens, see PIN for more detail, estimated publishing date October 2025.
  • Letter Distribution and Installation, estimated publishing date, November 2025
  • Contractor Works - Accessibility Works, Ramps and Platform Lifts, estimated publishing date January 2026
  • Adult Community Drug and Alcohol Treatment Services – Core Locality Hub Services. Estimated publishing date January 2026
  • Children Affected by Parental Substance Use (CAPSU), Estimated publishing date January 2026
  • Fuel management software system along with maintenance of Fleet fuel facilities. Estimated publishing date October 2025
  • Early Years Nursery Provision Open Framework, 2026 – 2036 estimated publishing date January 2026
  • Roads and Infrastructure Construction Framework 2026-2030, Estimated publishing date February 2026
  • Working Age Adults Commissioning Framework, estimated publishing date January 2026.
  • Taxi and PHC Intermediate Course Catering Provision, estimated publishing date January 2026.
  • Taxi and PHC Intermediate Course First Aid provision, estimated publishing date January 2026.
  • Lift service and Maintenance (Housing) Framework, Estimated publishing date February 2026

Useful resources