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Published 1 Mar 2023, 16:11 GMT

Official UK procurement notice

Early Learning, Childcare and Brokerage Services

Official notice

Authority: Dumfries and Galloway Council (Local council)

Framework agreement3 lotsServicesOpen procedureSME suitable
Sectors: Education & Training (80)Health & Social Care (85) Delivery: Scotland (UKM92)
Framework ceiling (notional)Value not publishedframework ceiling, not attributable revenue
Submissions closed 19 Oct 2026awarded 4 Dec 2025
Lots 3see the lot list below

What is being bought3 lots · detail below

Published requirement description

The Council has a statutory duty to make pre-school education available for eligible children under the Standards in Scotland’s Schools Act 2000. The Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 and Statutory Guidance set out the increased entitlement to 1140 hours for eligible children which became a statutory duty from August 2021.

The Funding Follows the Child approach places choice in parents’ and carers’ hands enabling them to access their child’s funded entitlement with a provider that best suits their needs.

All providers who apply and meet the expected standard, legislation and the Council's procedural requirements as set out in the Invitation to Tender and accept the rates and contract terms set out by the Council shall be accepted to deliver funded provision through the Flexible Framework enabling them to register children in 2027 to commence Brokerage placements from Q3 2027 and funded Early Learning and Childcare placements from August 2027.

This is the September 2026 re-opening of the framework.

If you have already been awarded a place on this framework, you do not need to re-apply.

  • Recurrence: This framework re-opens annually and if you have already been awarded a place on the framework, you DO NOT need to re-apply.

CPV: Child daycare services · Pre-school education services · Primary education services

How this framework works

From the published notice
Places
up to 100 suppliers · 3 bids on the busiest of 3 lots (0.0 per place) · 9 appointed

Lots and requirements (3)Procurement structure

3 lots · no lot values published · same evaluation weights on every lot
Lot #1ELC - Private and Third Sector Settings (excluding Childminders)Renewal
Delivery: Scotland
Extensions: The framework was awarded in February 2023 for an initial five year period with an optional extension of a further two years.Variant bids: not allowed
80100000 Primary education services80110000 Pre-school education services85312110 Child daycare services
Lot #2ELC - ChildmindersRenewal
Delivery: Scotland
Extensions: The framework was awarded in February 2023 for an initial five year period with an optional extension of a further two years.Variant bids: not allowed
80100000 Primary education services80110000 Pre-school education services85312110 Child daycare services
Lot #3Childcare BrokerageRenewal
Delivery: Scotland
Extensions: The framework was awarded in February 2023 for an initial five year period with an optional extension of a further two years.Variant bids: not allowed
80100000 Primary education services80110000 Pre-school education services85312110 Child daycare services

What it takes to win
i

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 more
How bids were scored · same split on all 3 lots
Quality: 100%
Published award criteria (2)
  • Quality: 100
  • Price: 0
Conditions of participation3
  • Suitability

    As detailed in tender pack suite of documents

  • Economic & financial standing

    As detailed in the tender pack suite of documents

  • Technical & professional ability

    As detailed in the tender pack suite of documents

What this means for your bid
  • “Early Learning, Childcare and Brokerage Services” is a framework: the contest is a place on its panel, up to 100 suppliers, not a single contract.

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
Awarded
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
Yes (GPA)
Recurring procurement

Yes · This framework re-opens annually and if you have already been awarded a place on the framework, you DO NOT need to re-apply.

First published
1 Mar 2023, 16:11 GMT
Last source update
17 Sept 2026, 14:54 BST
Award evaluation window
19 Oct 2026 – …
Authority reference
DGCP-0675
FTS notice number
2026/S 000-088301
Classification (CPV)
Child daycare servicesPre-school education servicesPrimary education services
Delivery area
Scotland (UKM92)
Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-03ad59 Find a Tender
Contract terms
Electronic trading
e-invoicing allowed · electronic ordering · electronic payment
Performance terms

As detailed in the tender pack suite of documents

Publisher note: NOTE: To register your interest in this notice and obtain any additional information please visit the Public Contracts Scotland Web Site at https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=840871. The buyer has indicated that it will accept electronic responses to this notice via the Postbox facility. A user guide is available at https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/sitehelp/help_guides.aspx. Suppliers are advised to allow adequate time for uploading documents and to dispatch the electronic response well in advance of the closing time to avoid any last minute problems. A sub-contract clause has been included in this contract. For more information see: http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/info/InfoCentre.aspx?ID=2363 The Contracting Authority does not intend to include any community benefit requirements in this contract for the following reason: Because of the large number of providers anticipated to be awarded onto the framework, community benefits will not be realised. (SC Ref:840871)

How it was run

Official notice
Run through: Public Contracts Scotland · Who buys & how to bid on PCS
Supplier login requiredLanguage: EN
Access & registration note: Free single registration for Scotland; PCS-Tender (Jaggaer) for full bidding
Appointment period ends
19 Oct 2026, 12:00 BST
Submission channel
{"electronicSubmission"}
Accepted languages
en
Bid validity
90 days from the deadline
Bids opened
19 Oct 2026, 12:00 BST
Detailed submission instructions & authority contactsFrom official release

www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk ↗

Timeline

17 Sept 2026 → 19 Oct 2026 · 3 dates
  1. Notice published38 days ago
    17 Sept 2026, 14:54 BST
  2. Admission / appointment period ends6 days ago · period end, not a bid countdown
    19 Oct 2026, 12:00 BST
  3. Bids opened6 days ago
    19 Oct 2026, 12:00 BST

Notice history

13 events · 11 releases on Find a Tender · since 17 May 2023
  1. Status changed to complete
    17 May 2023, 09:20 BST
  2. Status changed to active
    7 Sept 2023, 16:50 BST
  3. Deadline moved to 16 Oct 2023, 12:00 BST
    7 Sept 2023, 16:50 BST
    +201 days · was 29 Mar 2023, 12:00 BST
  4. Deadline moved to 13 Nov 2023, 12:00 GMT
    12 Sept 2023, 08:51 BST
    +28 days · was 16 Oct 2023, 12:00 BST
  5. Status changed to complete
    10 Jan 2024, 14:31 GMT
  6. Status changed to active
    15 Oct 2024, 10:46 BST
  7. Deadline moved to 14 Nov 2024, 12:00 GMT
    15 Oct 2024, 10:46 BST
    +367 days · was 13 Nov 2023, 12:00 GMT
  8. Status changed to complete
    28 Jan 2025, 11:49 GMT
  9. Status changed to active
    1 Jul 2025, 09:28 BST
  10. Deadline moved to 31 Jul 2025, 12:00 BST
    1 Jul 2025, 09:28 BST
    +259 days · was 14 Nov 2024, 12:00 GMT
  11. Status changed to complete
    9 Jan 2026, 16:03 GMT
  12. Status changed to active
    17 Sept 2026, 14:54 BST
  13. Deadline moved to 19 Oct 2026, 12:00 BST
    17 Sept 2026, 14:54 BST
    +445 days · was 31 Jul 2025, 12:00 BST
Published amendments (2 · 1 deadline change)
WhenWhatBeforeAfterShift
—DeadlineTime limit · IV.2.216 Oct 202313 Nov 2023+28 d
—Bid openingConditions for opening of tenders · IV.2.716 Oct 202313 Nov 2023+28 d
—TextShort Description · II.1.4The Council has a statutory duty to make pre-school education available for eligible children under the Standards in Scotland’s Schools Act 2000. The Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 and Statutory Guidance set out the increased entitlement to 1140 hours for eligible children which became a statutory duty from August 2021. The Funding Follows the Child approach places choice in parent…The Council has a statutory duty to make pre-school education available for eligible children under the Standards in Scotland’s Schools Act 2000. The Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 and Statutory Guidance set out the increased entitlement to 1140 hours for eligible children which became a statutory duty from August 2021. The Funding Follows the Child approach places choice in parent…

The closing date has been put back due to evaluation panel availability.

Amendment of wording to clarify The contract notice includes wording that stated dates from the original creation of the framework in 2023. The below wording relates specifically to this opening of the framework and should clarify any confusion: All providers who apply and meet the expected standard, legislation and the Council's procedural requirements as set out in the Invitation to Tender and a…

Routine re-releases (11)
  • 2025-01: 1 release · 28 Jan 2025
  • 2024-11: 1 release · 12 Nov 2024
  • 2024-10: 1 release · 15 Oct 2024
  • 2024-01: 1 release · 10 Jan 2024
  • 2023-09: 2 releases · 7 Sept 2023, 12 Sept 2023
  • 2023-05: 1 release · 17 May 2023
  • 2023-03: 1 release · 1 Mar 2023

Commercial outcome & contract awards

Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast
Suppliers appointed 9admitted to the panel · see the list ↓
Bids received 33 from SMEs · busiest of 3 lots
Contracts signed 10latest 4 Dec 2025

10 suppliers are admitted to this framework without individual award values or dates, see the supplier list below.

Contracts

All 7 of these contracts carry the same published figure, £48,686,143, the framework's maximum for the whole notice, not each contract's own value. They are not eleven separate sums.

  • ELC - Private and Third Sector Settings (excluding Childminders)

    Signed
    4 Dec 2025
    Value
    ceiling above
    Status
    active

  • Lot 3- Childcare Brokerage

    Signed
    4 Dec 2025
    Value
    ceiling above
    Status
    active

  • ELC - Childminders

    Signed
    19 Sept 2025
    Value
    ceiling above
    Status
    active

  • ELC - Private and Third Sector Settings (excluding Childminders)

    Signed
    14 Jan 2025
    Value
    ceiling above
    Status
    active

  • ELC - Childminders

    Signed
    14 Jan 2025
    Value
    ceiling above
    Status
    active

  • Lot 3- Childcare Brokerage

    Signed
    14 Jan 2025
    Value
    ceiling above
    Status
    active

  • ELC - Childminders

    Signed
    10 Jan 2024
    Value
    ceiling above
    Status
    active

  • ELC - Private and Third Sector Settings (excluding Childminders)

    Signed
    10 May 2023
    Value
    —
    Status
    active

  • ELC - Childminders

    Signed
    10 May 2023
    Value
    —
    Status
    active

  • Lot 3- Childcare Brokerage

    Signed
    10 May 2023
    Value
    —
    Status
    active

Bid statistics published by the authority

LotBidsSMEVCSEValid bid range
1 · ELC - Private and Third Sector Settings (excluding Childminders)3bids · 3 electronic · 1 from abroad1—£1 – £2
2 · ELC - Childminders3bids · 3 electronic · 3 from abroad3—£1 – £2
3 · Childcare Brokerage3bids · 3 electronic · 1 from abroad1—£1 – £2

Contracting authority & participating public bodies

Dumfries and Galloway Council

Contracting authorityLocal CouncilRegional or local authorityGeneral public services Procurement Team, Carruthers House, Dumfries, Scotland, DG1 2HPContact name, email, phone Published organisation website ↗

Dispute resolution & review bodies

  • Dumfries Sheriff CourtReview body Dumfries

Framework contractors & participating bidders

9 commercial parties on the notice

Official documents & specifications (5)

Official links; attachments are not copied

Tender pack and attachments

  • Technical selection criteriatenderTechnical selection criteria
  • Technical selection criteriatenderTechnical selection criteria
  • Technical selection criteriatenderTechnical selection criteria
  • Technical selection criteriatenderTechnical selection criteria
  • Technical selection criteriatenderTechnical selection criteria