Official UK procurement notice
Children's Residential Care and Education, including Short Break, Services Flexible Framework Agreement
Authority: Scotland Excel
What is being bought4 lots · detail below
Published requirement descriptionThis Contract Notice confirms that the Flexible Framework has now been established and will remain open for admission by new providers throughout its duration. Any new providers so admitted will be listed on the publicly available Scotland Excel Contracts Register which will be updated as and when necessary. Further information about new provider applications is set out in later section VI.3 Additional information.
The scope and structure of service options within the Flexible Framework include:
- Residential care;
- Residential care and education;
- Short Breaks;
- Day Education.
Please note, Providers already awarded to the Flexible Framework do not need to re-apply.
CPV: Education and training services · Health and social work services · Pre-school education services · Primary education services · Secondary education services · Social services · Social work and related services · Social work services · Social work services with accommodation · Social work services without accommodation · Special education services · Welfare services for children and young people
Lots and requirements (4)Procurement structure
4 lots · no lot values publishedLot #1Residential Care
As further detailed in the procurement documents, Service Option 1 of the Flexible Framework Agreement is for the provision of Residential Care Services for Children and Young People across Scotland.
Lot #2Residential Care and Education
As further detailed in the procurement documents, Service Option 2 of the Flexible Framework Agreement is for the provision of Residential Care and Education Services for Children and Young People across Scotland.
Lot #3Short Breaks
As further detailed in the procurement documents, Service Option 3 of the Flexible Framework Agreement is for the provision of Short Break Services for Children and Young People across Scotland.
Lot #4Day Education
As further detailed in the procurement documents, Service Option 4 of the Flexible Framework Agreement is for the provision of Day Education Services for Children and Young People across Scotland.
What it takes to wini
How this buyer will score bids.
The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).
Evaluation split and conditions of participation as published; the tender pack may add morei
How this buyer will score bids.
The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).
The scope of services to be provided under this Framework Agreement falls within the definition of social and other specific services in
Schedule 3 to the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015 ("the Regulations") and therefore the procurement process shall be subject to the requirements of section 7 of the Regulations.
- Technical & professional ability
Registration with the Care Inspectorate and/or Education Scotland and Scottish Social Services Council and/or General Teaching Council
for Scotland.
Tenderers should provide Registration number(s) etc at Section 4A.2 in the SPD.
- Shortlisting
- SELECTION All staff and those providing the Service must be suitably qualified and registered with the relevant regulatory body/ies. Care Inspectorate Registration SO1 2 and 3 Providers must be Registered and must maintain the necessary Registration with Social Care and Social Work Improvement Scotland (SCWIS) known as the Care Inspectorate. Failure to demonstrate that this requirement has been met may lead to a bidder being excluded from the process. Education Scotland/Registration SO2 and 4 Where school education is to be provided, every individual school or learning centre which a Provider intends to include in any bid, must be registered (with the exception of Grant Aided Special Schools) with the Registrar of Independent Schools, and meet the requirements of such establishments as set out in legislation and national guidance. Full details of economic and financial standing, including Insurance, are within the Procurement Documents within the relevant project on PCS-T.
- “Children's Residential Care and Education, including Short Break,…” is a framework: the contest is a place on its panel, not a single contract.
Competition analysis · published record, not a forecast of who will bid
Competition for Social work services (CPV 8531), and who usually turns up
Scotland Excel has too little published record in this market to describe on its own. Published market evidence for the same work stands beside whatever it has. This notice is a framework or DPS, so only frameworks and DPS are compared. Whole-market view: Social work services (CPV 8531) →
How the contest usually goes
Winner shares use published awards; bid and price charts use contested lots.
i
How often small and medium firms win.
Share of awards where the winner’s size is known.
The counts under this question show how many awards have a known supplier size.
Small firms have won here. Neither number says whether you qualify; it describes who has been winning.
i
How often local firms win similar work.
Winners with a registered address in the delivery region, out of awards with a known address.
Here, local means registered in Scotland.
A local branch does not count if the registered address is elsewhere.
Most of this buyer’s recorded winners are registered in Scotland.
i
How long buyers here take to decide after bids close.
Middle value in days from the deadline to the first award notice, on competitions that published both dates.
Only decided tenders count, so slow ones still waiting are not in.
Half of these awards were announced within 73 days of the bid deadline.
i
How often work is awarded with no recorded rival.
Direct awards and tenders where every published lot count shows one bid.
Thin markets produce this too; it is not proof of a tailored specification.
Missing bid counts may hide more single-bid awards. This share is a minimum.
How many bids did past lots attract?
i
How many bids past lots received.
Each colour is a bid-count range. Only competed lots with a published count are included.
Past bids do not predict this tender.
1 bid0% / 16%
2–36% / 22%
4–69% / 18%
7+85% / 44%
How did awards compare with estimates?
i
Where winning prices landed against estimates.
Each colour shows awards below, close to or above the published estimate, one lot at a time.
On a framework or DPS, prices are agreed when work is called off.
Past prices are a guide, not a bid price.
Not comparable on a framework or DPS. The notice sets up a supplier panel and a ceiling value; what the work actually costs is agreed later, on each call-off or mini-competition, and those publish as contract notices of their own. The award-vs-estimate record of this market therefore sits on the call-offs; this page shows it on the contracts, not on the panel that frames them.
Assess each lot i
What past awards tell you about each lot.
See the forecast, this buyer’s earlier suppliers and firms with relevant wins.
No supplier is confirmed as a bidder.
i
What past awards tell you about each lot.
See the forecast, this buyer’s earlier suppliers and firms with relevant wins.
No supplier is confirmed as a bidder.
Open a lot for its forecast, this buyer’s previous supplier and possible competitors, from published award history, not a bid list
Our matching links this notice to “Re-opening of National Flexible Framework for Care and Support Services (New entrants April 2022)” of this authority, but none of the 10 panel members sit in a category matching this notice.
Lot #1Residential CareCPV 85310000Estimate not published
i
How many bids this lot may attract.
The forecast uses similar past competitions. The bar shows either that forecast or past bid counts; the line below says which.
Each lot shows its own forecast based on its own category; forecasts for different lots of the same notice are not comparative.
A forecast, not a list of bidders.
1 bid0%
2–32%
4–62%
7+97%
i
Where the award price may land.
The forecast uses similar awards and the buyer’s estimate. The band covers the middle half of likely prices.
No comparable awards for this lot yet.
A statistical guide from past awards, not a price to bid.
Who has supplied this buyer on similar work? i
Who has done similar work for this buyer.
Past contracts are matched by buyer, title and type of work.
A past supplier may not bid again.
i
Who has done similar work for this buyer.
Past contracts are matched by buyer, title and type of work.
A past supplier may not bid again.
| Supplier | This buyer’s earlier contract | Lot | Award value | Why listed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Snowdon School LtdEarlier contract | Children's Residential Care and Education Services including Short Breaksnotice published Jan 2021 | Service Option 1 - Residential Care | — | Matched as the earlier contract |
| Ochil Tower SchoolEarlier contract | Children's Residential Care and Education Services including Short Breaksnotice published Jan 2021 | Service Option 2 - Care and Education | — | Matched as the earlier contract |
| Hightrees ltd (T/A Closeburn Centre)Earlier contract | Children's Residential Care and Education Services including Short Breaksnotice published Jan 2021 | Service Option 2 - Care and Education | — | Matched as the earlier contract |
| BDT Care Solutions LtdEarlier contract | Children's Residential Care and Education Services including Short Breaksnotice published Jan 2021 | Service Option 1 - Residential Care | — | Matched as the earlier contract |
| Compass Child & Family ServicesEarlier contract | Children's Residential Care and Education Services including Short Breaksnotice published Jan 2021 | Service Option 1 - Residential Care | — | Matched as the earlier contract |
Who could compete for this lot? i
Who could compete for this lot?
Firms with relevant past wins. On a framework, we show firms on that agreement.
None is confirmed as a bidder.
i
Who could compete for this lot?
Firms with relevant past wins. On a framework, we show firms on that agreement.
None is confirmed as a bidder.
| Supplier | Won in this category | Live contracts | Award vs estimate |
|---|---|---|---|
LifelinkSME | £4.8m8 awards in 36m · last 4 months ago | 1 live · £1.5m iPublic contracts this supplier still holds. Its awards whose published end date is still in the future, with their values. Many contracts publish no end date, so this is a floor, not the whole book. Unexpired says nothing about spare capacity. | at estimate n=2 |
| £700k3 awards in 36m · last 2 months ago | 1 live · £560k iPublic contracts this supplier still holds. Its awards whose published end date is still in the future, with their values. Many contracts publish no end date, so this is a floor, not the whole book. Unexpired says nothing about spare capacity. | 12% above n=2 | |
| — | None on file | no comparable pairs | |
| — | None on file | no comparable pairs | |
| — | None on file | no comparable pairs |
Lot #2Residential Care and EducationCPV 85310000Estimate not published
i
How many bids this lot may attract.
The forecast uses similar past competitions. The bar shows either that forecast or past bid counts; the line below says which.
Each lot shows its own forecast based on its own category; forecasts for different lots of the same notice are not comparative.
A forecast, not a list of bidders.
1 bid0%
2–32%
4–62%
7+97%
i
Where the award price may land.
The forecast uses similar awards and the buyer’s estimate. The band covers the middle half of likely prices.
No comparable awards for this lot yet.
A statistical guide from past awards, not a price to bid.
Who has supplied this buyer on similar work? i
Who has done similar work for this buyer.
Past contracts are matched by buyer, title and type of work.
A past supplier may not bid again.
i
Who has done similar work for this buyer.
Past contracts are matched by buyer, title and type of work.
A past supplier may not bid again.
| Supplier | This buyer’s earlier contract | Lot | Award value | Why listed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Snowdon School LtdEarlier contract | Children's Residential Care and Education Services including Short Breaksnotice published Jan 2021 | Service Option 1 - Residential Care | — | Matched as the earlier contract |
| Ochil Tower SchoolEarlier contract | Children's Residential Care and Education Services including Short Breaksnotice published Jan 2021 | Service Option 2 - Care and Education | — | Matched as the earlier contract |
| Hightrees ltd (T/A Closeburn Centre)Earlier contract | Children's Residential Care and Education Services including Short Breaksnotice published Jan 2021 | Service Option 2 - Care and Education | — | Matched as the earlier contract |
| BDT Care Solutions LtdEarlier contract | Children's Residential Care and Education Services including Short Breaksnotice published Jan 2021 | Service Option 1 - Residential Care | — | Matched as the earlier contract |
| Compass Child & Family ServicesEarlier contract | Children's Residential Care and Education Services including Short Breaksnotice published Jan 2021 | Service Option 1 - Residential Care | — | Matched as the earlier contract |
Who could compete for this lot? i
Who could compete for this lot?
Firms with relevant past wins. On a framework, we show firms on that agreement.
None is confirmed as a bidder.
i
Who could compete for this lot?
Firms with relevant past wins. On a framework, we show firms on that agreement.
None is confirmed as a bidder.
| Supplier | Won in this category | Live contracts | Award vs estimate |
|---|---|---|---|
LifelinkSME | £4.8m8 awards in 36m · last 4 months ago | 1 live · £1.5m iPublic contracts this supplier still holds. Its awards whose published end date is still in the future, with their values. Many contracts publish no end date, so this is a floor, not the whole book. Unexpired says nothing about spare capacity. | at estimate n=2 |
| £700k3 awards in 36m · last 2 months ago | 1 live · £560k iPublic contracts this supplier still holds. Its awards whose published end date is still in the future, with their values. Many contracts publish no end date, so this is a floor, not the whole book. Unexpired says nothing about spare capacity. | 12% above n=2 | |
| — | None on file | no comparable pairs | |
Nicola HeathSME | — | None on file | no comparable pairs |
| — | None on file | no comparable pairs |
Lot #3Short BreaksCPV 85310000Estimate not published
i
How many bids this lot may attract.
The forecast uses similar past competitions. The bar shows either that forecast or past bid counts; the line below says which.
Each lot shows its own forecast based on its own category; forecasts for different lots of the same notice are not comparative.
A forecast, not a list of bidders.
1 bid0%
2–32%
4–61%
7+97%
i
Where the award price may land.
The forecast uses similar awards and the buyer’s estimate. The band covers the middle half of likely prices.
No comparable awards for this lot yet.
A statistical guide from past awards, not a price to bid.
Who has supplied this buyer on similar work? i
Who has done similar work for this buyer.
Past contracts are matched by buyer, title and type of work.
A past supplier may not bid again.
i
Who has done similar work for this buyer.
Past contracts are matched by buyer, title and type of work.
A past supplier may not bid again.
| Supplier | This buyer’s earlier contract | Lot | Award value | Why listed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Snowdon School LtdEarlier contract | Children's Residential Care and Education Services including Short Breaksnotice published Jan 2021 | Service Option 1 - Residential Care | — | Matched as the earlier contract |
| Ochil Tower SchoolEarlier contract | Children's Residential Care and Education Services including Short Breaksnotice published Jan 2021 | Service Option 2 - Care and Education | — | Matched as the earlier contract |
| Hightrees ltd (T/A Closeburn Centre)Earlier contract | Children's Residential Care and Education Services including Short Breaksnotice published Jan 2021 | Service Option 2 - Care and Education | — | Matched as the earlier contract |
| BDT Care Solutions LtdEarlier contract | Children's Residential Care and Education Services including Short Breaksnotice published Jan 2021 | Service Option 1 - Residential Care | — | Matched as the earlier contract |
| Compass Child & Family ServicesEarlier contract | Children's Residential Care and Education Services including Short Breaksnotice published Jan 2021 | Service Option 1 - Residential Care | — | Matched as the earlier contract |
Who could compete for this lot? i
Who could compete for this lot?
Firms with relevant past wins. On a framework, we show firms on that agreement.
None is confirmed as a bidder.
i
Who could compete for this lot?
Firms with relevant past wins. On a framework, we show firms on that agreement.
None is confirmed as a bidder.
| Supplier | Won in this category | Live contracts | Award vs estimate |
|---|---|---|---|
LifelinkSME | £4.8m8 awards in 36m · last 4 months ago | 1 live · £1.5m iPublic contracts this supplier still holds. Its awards whose published end date is still in the future, with their values. Many contracts publish no end date, so this is a floor, not the whole book. Unexpired says nothing about spare capacity. | at estimate n=2 |
| £700k3 awards in 36m · last 2 months ago | 1 live · £560k iPublic contracts this supplier still holds. Its awards whose published end date is still in the future, with their values. Many contracts publish no end date, so this is a floor, not the whole book. Unexpired says nothing about spare capacity. | 12% above n=2 | |
| — | None on file | no comparable pairs | |
| — | None on file | no comparable pairs | |
| — | None on file | no comparable pairs |
Lot #4Day EducationCPV 85310000Estimate not published
i
How many bids this lot may attract.
The forecast uses similar past competitions. The bar shows either that forecast or past bid counts; the line below says which.
Each lot shows its own forecast based on its own category; forecasts for different lots of the same notice are not comparative.
A forecast, not a list of bidders.
1 bid0%
2–32%
4–62%
7+97%
i
Where the award price may land.
The forecast uses similar awards and the buyer’s estimate. The band covers the middle half of likely prices.
No comparable awards for this lot yet.
A statistical guide from past awards, not a price to bid.
Who has supplied this buyer on similar work? i
Who has done similar work for this buyer.
Past contracts are matched by buyer, title and type of work.
A past supplier may not bid again.
i
Who has done similar work for this buyer.
Past contracts are matched by buyer, title and type of work.
A past supplier may not bid again.
| Supplier | This buyer’s earlier contract | Lot | Award value | Why listed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Snowdon School LtdEarlier contract | Children's Residential Care and Education Services including Short Breaksnotice published Jan 2021 | Service Option 1 - Residential Care | — | Matched as the earlier contract |
| Ochil Tower SchoolEarlier contract | Children's Residential Care and Education Services including Short Breaksnotice published Jan 2021 | Service Option 2 - Care and Education | — | Matched as the earlier contract |
| Hightrees ltd (T/A Closeburn Centre)Earlier contract | Children's Residential Care and Education Services including Short Breaksnotice published Jan 2021 | Service Option 2 - Care and Education | — | Matched as the earlier contract |
| BDT Care Solutions LtdEarlier contract | Children's Residential Care and Education Services including Short Breaksnotice published Jan 2021 | Service Option 1 - Residential Care | — | Matched as the earlier contract |
| Compass Child & Family ServicesEarlier contract | Children's Residential Care and Education Services including Short Breaksnotice published Jan 2021 | Service Option 1 - Residential Care | — | Matched as the earlier contract |
Who could compete for this lot? i
Who could compete for this lot?
Firms with relevant past wins. On a framework, we show firms on that agreement.
None is confirmed as a bidder.
i
Who could compete for this lot?
Firms with relevant past wins. On a framework, we show firms on that agreement.
None is confirmed as a bidder.
| Supplier | Won in this category | Live contracts | Award vs estimate |
|---|---|---|---|
LifelinkSME | £4.8m8 awards in 36m · last 4 months ago | 1 live · £1.5m iPublic contracts this supplier still holds. Its awards whose published end date is still in the future, with their values. Many contracts publish no end date, so this is a floor, not the whole book. Unexpired says nothing about spare capacity. | at estimate n=2 |
| £700k3 awards in 36m · last 2 months ago | 1 live · £560k iPublic contracts this supplier still holds. Its awards whose published end date is still in the future, with their values. Many contracts publish no end date, so this is a floor, not the whole book. Unexpired says nothing about spare capacity. | 12% above n=2 | |
| — | None on file | no comparable pairs | |
| — | None on file | no comparable pairs | |
| — | None on file | no comparable pairs |
About this data
- Source. Official UK public procurement notices (Find a Tender), reused under the Open Government Licence v3.0. New notices arrive through the day; the figures are rebuilt nightly.
- Two views, kept apart. The authority’s own track record and the wider market for the same kind of work sit side by side and are never mixed. Where the local picture is too thin, a figure widens to a broader market and says which one it used.
- Forecasts are labelled. The price forecast and its range, possible competitors and the earlier-work matches are our estimates from past awards: not published facts, not win chances and not price advice. Official notices do not say who is bidding.
- Every figure shows what it rests on. Not every notice publishes a bid count, a value or a delivery region, so each figure carries the number of records behind it, and one built on few records is marked as such. The on a figure explains it; the counting rules are in the methodology. Spotted something wrong? Tell us.
Procedure terms & legal framework
From the official record · publisher note attached- Procedure method
- Open procedure
- Legal basis
- CELEX · 32014L0024 Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (Directive 2014/24/EU)
- Procurement category
- Services
- Notice status
- Open admission
- Procurement threshold
- Unspecified in notice
- Regulatory regime
- Standard
- Commercial structure
- Framework agreement
- Who may use this agreement
- Not stated in the notice; call-off rights may be limited to the establishing authority
- Competition type
- Competitive procedure
- GPA / WTO covered
- Unspecified in notice
- Recurring procurement
- Unspecified in notice
- First published
- 1 Dec 2022, 16:20 GMT
- Last source update
- 1 Dec 2022, 16:20 GMT
- Authority reference
1121 ("Flexible Framework")- FTS notice number
2022/S 000-034110- Classification (CPV)
- Delivery area
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-0389f8Find a Tender
- Electronic trading
- e-invoicing allowed · electronic ordering · electronic payment
- Review procedure
An economic operator that suffers, or risks suffering, loss or damage attributable to a breach of duty under the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015 (SSI 2015/446) (as amended) may bring proceedings in the Sheriff Court or the Court of Session.
Publisher note: As set out in earlier section II.1.4, Short description, this Contract Notice confirms that the Flexible Framework has now been established and remains open for admission by new providers throughout its duration. Full details of the requirements of this Flexible Framework Agreement (including permitted variations and contract conditions) are available in the Procurement Documents within the relevant project on PCS-T (including Schedule 8, New Entrants to the Flexible Framework Agreement Guidance Note). Summary information is set out below: New providers who wish to submit Tenders to join the Flexible Framework Agreement are referred to the above Procurement Documents. AWARD CRITERIA – Applicable to SO 1,2 and 3 Where a Service is registered with the Care Inspectorate, a minimum grade of three (3) is required across all inspected key questions. In the event that a Care Inspectorate newly registered Service is waiting its first inspection, and in recognition that the Care Inspectorate inspection regime remains affected by the impact of the COVID19 pandemic, Scotland Excel reserves the right to agree with the Care Inspectorate, suitable alternative indicator(s) of quality to assess whether the minimum requirement is met. The alternative shall reflect the circumstances and may include, but not be limited to: -Review/confirmation of the Scrutiny Assessment Tool (or equivalent) score and responses; and -For a Service that was previously registered under a different CS number, review of previous grades held Tenderers will be informed which alternative indicator(s) of quality has been applied. Tenderers will be required to confirm whether they intend to subcontract any share of the contract to third parties and, if so, to complete relevant sections of the SPD for each subcontractor. This Tender process is subject to the Law and Guidance applicable in Scotland relative to the award of public contracts including (without limitation) as set out in the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015 as currently in force. As such, this Notice relates to the established ‘flexible’ Framework Agreement, which permits new entrants meeting the requirements to join the flexible framework agreement throughout its duration (as detailed in the Procurement Documents). Scotland Excel, as a central purchasing body, is establishing this flexible framework for the use and benefit of its members namely 32 local authorities in Scotland, Tayside Contracts, associate members, together with any Integration Authority, or other body, established pursuant to the Public Bodies (Joint Working) (Scotland) Act 2014. Scotland Excel local authority members and associate members entitled to use this framework, are listed at http://www.scotlandexcel.org.uk/home/Aboutus/Ourmembers/Our_members.aspx The above is subject to each contracting authority entering into and maintaining a membership agreement or other access agreement with Scotland Excel. Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in Regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015. The buyer is using PCS-Tender to conduct this ITT exercise. The Project code is 22548. For more information see: http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/info/InfoCentre.aspx?ID=2343 A sub-contract clause has been included in this contract. For more information see: http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/info/InfoCentre.aspx?ID=2363 Community benefits are included in this requirement. For more information see: https://www.gov.scot/policies/public-sector-procurement/community-benefits-in-procurement/ A summary of the expected community benefits has been provided as follows: In accordance with section 25(3) of the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 note that, Scotland Excel intends to include community benefit requirements as set out in the Procurement Documents. (SC Ref:708141)
How to participate & submission route
Official notice Apply via Public Contracts Scotland- Requests to participate (first stage)
- —
- Appointment period ends
- 29 Sept 2028, 12:00 BST
- Clarification deadline
- —
- Submission channel
- {"electronicSubmission"}
- Accepted languages
- en
Timeline
1 Dec 2022 → 29 Sept 2028 · 2 dates- Notice published1 Dec 2022, 16:20 GMT
- Today22 Oct 2026
- Admission / appointment period endsperiod end, not a bid countdown29 Sept 2028, 12:00 BST
Commercial outcome & contract awards
Nothing awarded yet- Awards (0)
- No award published
- Contracts (0)
- No contract published
- Bid statistics
- No aggregate bid statistics published
Contracting authority & participating public bodies
Dispute resolution & review bodies
- Court of SessionReview body
Official documents & specifications
Official links; attachments are not copiedNo document links were published on the notice; the tender pack is on the portal.