Highlands and Islands Enterprise
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About us

Procurement

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Our procurement strategy 

As a public sector organisation, our procurement activity is guided by legislation and best practice.

Our Procurement Strategy (published January 2024) sets out our procurement objectives. We have developed our strategy in line with local and national priorities to support our corporate aims and objectives.

We are keen to receive comments, observations or suggestions from external parties about the content of the strategy. To comment, please email your views to hieprocurement@hient.co.uk stating whether you're responding as a member of the public, member of staff, contractor, industry body or otherwise. 

Supplier opportunities

We advertise supplier opportunities through the Public Contracts Scotland website. Have a look at the site for free access to public sector contracts in Scotland, including those from: 

  • Scottish Local Authorities
  • NHS Scotland
  • The Scottish Government
  • Public agencies and Non-departmental Public Bodies (NDPBs)
  • Higher and Further Education institutes
  • Emergency Services.

You can also register to receive free email alerts for the types of contracts you may be interested in.

The Scottish Government's Engaging with Public Procurement Scotland guide also has useful information. 

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Delivering community benefits

As the economic development agency for the Highlands and Islands, it’s important to us that our contracts support economic growth and deliver community benefits.

We ask all suppliers bidding to work with us how their delivery of the contract will provide community benefits. Initiatives can include: 

  • Targeted recruitment and training initiatives.
  • Supporting educational initiatives e.g. offering work experience or placement; a local school visit to explain what you do and routes to getting into the profession.
  • Supply chain initiatives and/or development
  • Support for community and/or environmental initiatives which may be taking place in the local community.
  • Supported business, third sector and voluntary initiatives e.g. offering this sector sub-contracting opportunities to deliver elements of the contract.
  • Support for equality and diversity initiatives that encourage inclusiveness
  • The use of Gaelic to achieve both cultural and economic benefits.
  • Charitable donations or financial contributions to community activities or facilities.
  • Supplier engagement with schools, colleges or universities.
  • Support and development opportunities delivered to young people.

Our contracts and community benefits

Find out how businesses of all sizes are delivering meaningful contributions, in part, through their contracts with us. 

northern recycling solutions lorry in front of HIE office

Northern Recycling Solutions’ contract with us shows how local SMEs can drive both community welfare and environmental sustainability through public sector contracts. 

Northern Recycling Solutions
LSIC Group Web

Local spend on contractors, new posts and wellbeing activity were all wider benefits when HIE and UHI built the Life Sciences Innovation Centre.

Life Sciences Innovation Centre - a catalyst for growth
Higher Ground Electric Vehicle at Inverness Campus recharging point

Higher Ground combines their core business in ground maintenance and estate management with enhancing communities and sustainable jobs. 

Higher Ground
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Current notices

You can find details of all of our live notices on the Public Contract Scotland website. 

Public Contracts Scotland

Procurement
Office Stock 2

HIE's head of procurement talks about what we're looking for from a supplier.

Find out about the essential documents, requirements and the system set up.

Support for you bid

If you'd like some help preparing your bid, our short videos have hints on tips on what to include.

Related documents

Where to next?

Find out more about our procurement practices below.

Sustainable procurement procedures

We consider sustainability throughout the entire procurement life cycle, meeting our legal and financial obligations, following best practice and achieving economic, environmental and social benefits.

About us

We're the community and economic development agency for the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. Find out what we do, how we work and how we can help you.

News and blogs

Have a look at our latest news to find out about who we're supporting, where we're investing and how we're helping to develop the region.

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