Civil Engineering DPS Scotland
Framework Description
The Scottish Collaborative Dynamic Purchasing System for Civil Engineering is a Scottish Government DPS for civil engineering projects worth up to £5 million. Public bodies across Scotland use it to invite qualified contractors to compete for individual schemes. Six lots cover general civil engineering, roads, structures, geotechnical work, utilities, and harbour, coastal, river, flood and marine work. It runs until 4 October 2030.
Context & Use Case
Public sector organisations across Scotland use it for small and mid-sized civil engineering projects, where a full open tender would be slow relative to the value. When a project arises, the buyer runs a mini-competition among contractors admitted to the relevant lot, and awards on a price and quality basis that gives quality the greater weight.
Scope of Services
Lot 1: General civil engineering works Lot 2: Roads Lot 3: Structures Lot 4: Geotechnical services and related works Lot 5: Utilities Lot 6: Harbour, coastal, rivers, flood and marine
Lots
Lot 1 General Civil Engineering Works; Lot 2 Roads; Lot 3 Structures; Lot 4 Geotechnical Services and Related Works; Lot 5 Utilities; Lot 6 Harbour, Coastal, Rivers, Flood and Marine
Who Can Apply
Civil engineering contractors of all sizes, including SMEs below the thresholds of larger frameworks, suit this DPS. It is open: firms can apply to join at any time while it runs, by completing the Single Procurement Document, Financial Standing Workbook, Technical and Professional Ability Workbook and Environmental Management and Climate Change Plan Form.
Buyer Benefits
Because quality carries more weight than price, buyers can choose contractors on method, experience and environmental approach as well as cost. The DPS gives them a growing pool of pre-assessed contractors for schemes up to £5 million, and a faster route from requirement to award than an open tender under the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015.
Next Steps
Pick the lots that match your proven work, then prepare the four documents: the SPD, the financial standing workbook, the technical and professional ability workbook and the environmental management and climate change plan. Apply using the procurement documents referenced in the Find a Tender notice, and once admitted, build reusable quality answers so you can respond to mini-competitions quickly.
How Athena Can Help
Joining is the first step, and the workbooks and climate change plan need care. Athena's DPS registration support helps you choose the lots you can evidence, completes the SPD and workbooks, writes the environmental plan and checks the whole application before submission.
Once you are admitted, mini-competitions weighted towards quality are where the work is won. Our quality-focused bid writing and price-quality bid strategy help you win schemes at a margin that works.
