Section 3 – Regulated contracts
9.This section defines what is meant by a “regulated contract”. A regulated contract is a contract which is a “public contract” (defined in section 42 as having the same meaning as in Directive 2004/18/EC2) under which the contracting authority expects to pay £50,000 or more. If the contract is a “public works contract” (also defined in section 42 as having the same meaning as in Directive 2004/18/EC), the threshold value is £2,000,000 or more. Section 5 provides further detail on the estimated values of contracts, for the purpose of these thresholds. Public contracts meeting these thresholds will be subject to the provisions of this Act unless they are explicitly excluded (see section 4).
10.Section 3(3) enables the Scottish Ministers by order to amend the thresholds for application of this Act. By virtue of section 44(2) such regulations are subject to the affirmative procedure.