Scotland Excel’s second generation Engineering and Technical Consultancy Framework is expected to be worth £17 million a year and will be in place for four years from this month.

A total of 27 suppliers have been awarded onto the framework that will help local authorities source a range of engineering and technical works – including works that can support Scotland’s City Deal projects.

The framework will offer councils quick access to suppliers that have gone through a detailed tender process and are ready to do business in:

Julie Welsh, director of Scotland Excel, said: “Scottish councils regularly require specialist technical and engineering services in order to plan and implement the wide range of investment projects and improvement works that are delivered within their communities. Forthcoming works that this contract can support include the multi-million pound City Deal projects.

“I welcome the launch of our second generation Engineering and Technical Consultancy contract which will give local authorities easy access to a range of suppliers, while also bringing savings and efficiencies for councils. The framework is also good for business as its 27 suppliers are a mix of micro, small, medium and large businesses.”

There is also the potential for framework suppliers to deliver a range of additional benefits that will give back to communities, including: appointing 19 apprentices and 13 graduates, offering work placements for 23 school pupils, 17 undergraduates and 3 long term unemployed, and hosting advice sessions and workshops for school pupils and college students.

The contract brings estimated savings for councils of 4.6% and also promotes fair working practices with 24 of the 27 suppliers paying the Scottish Living Wage.

The 27 framework suppliers are: