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Published 13 Jul 2026, 16:17 BST

Official UK procurement notice

FTS051 Research, Appraisal, Delivery and Support Framework - Lot 1 Support, Appraisal and Delivery

Authority: Highlands and Islands Enterprise·Consortium: 6 public authorities

Framework agreementServicesOpen procedure

Sectors: Architecture & Engineering (71)IT Services & Software (72)Business Services & Consultancy (79) Delivery: Scotland (UKM6)

Framework ceiling (notional)£3,200,000framework ceiling, not attributable revenue

Submissions closed 26 Aug 2026

What is being bought

Published requirement description

The Research, Appraisal, Delivery and Support (RADS) Framework is divided into two lots:

-Lot 1 Support, Appraisal and Delivery

-Lot 2 Research

This notice relates solely to Lot 1 of the two-lot framework procurement.

Separate Public Contracts Scotland (PCS) notices have been published for each Lot, each with the description ‘FTS051 Research, Appraisal, Delivery and Support Framework’.

The estimated value of Lot 1 is GBP 1,820,000.

The total estimated value of the framework across Lots 1 and 2 is GBP 3,200,000, which is the value stated in this notice.

Suppliers may tender for, and be appointed to, one or both Lots.

Lot 1 covers strategic and operational planning support, benefits realisation, business case development, impact assessments, options appraisal, feasibility studies, reviews, evaluations, socio-economic analysis and performance measurement.

Recurrence: HIE reserves the right to re-tender for these services upon termination of the contract or at the end of the contract period, including any extension period.

CPV: Analysis services · Business analysis consultancy services · Business and management consultancy and related services · Business and management consultancy services · Business development consultancy services · Data analysis services · Economic impact assessment · Feasibility study · Feasibility study, advisory service, analysis · Financial management consultancy services · Market research services · Performance review services · +1 more

How this framework works

From the published notice

Places: up to 8 suppliers

The lotProcurement structure

single lot · value published

Lot #1The framework will be let from November 2026 for a period of 3 years, unless…RenewalPublished value£3,200,000

The framework will be let from November 2026 for a period of 3 years, unless terminated in accordance with the provisions of the Framework Agreement, with HIE having the option to extend for a further period or periods together no exceeding 1 year.

Although HIE will be the primary user, the Framework (both lots) will also be available for use by South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE), Wave Energy Scotland Limited (WES), HIE Orkney, HIE Ventures Ltd (HIEVL), Cairngorm Mountain (Scotland) Ltd (CMSL), as well as any other Contracting Authority wholly or partly under the control of, or funded by HIE, at any point during the term of this Framework (subject to case-by-case approval by HIE).

Each Framework User listed above will enter into a direct contract with the Framework Suppliers on the same terms and conditions as those applying between HIE and the Framework Suppliers.

The Framework will be non-exclusive, Framework Users reserve the right, in certain circumstances, to procure services out with the Framework, where required. Additional information: 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.

Delivery: Scotland

Extensions: HIE reserves the right, on giving reasonable written notice from time to time, to require changes to the Services under the Framework Agreement, including the removal of Services, the addition of new Services, increases or decreases to the Services, or changes to the order in which the Services are to be performed or the locations where the Services are to be provided. HIE shall not require any such change other than where it is permitted by Regulation 72 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015. Framework Users may also modify their own call-off contracts where permitted by Regulation 72 and in accordance with the terms of the relevant call-off contract. The Framework Agreement and/or call-off contracts may be modified where permitted by Regulation 72 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015 and in accordance with the terms of the relevant agreement or contract. Such modifications may include, but are not limited to the following circumstances: -Changes to budget availability. -Where a Framework User brings the services in-house (fully or partially) such that the services are no longer required or reduced services are required. -Reduction or removal of services are required for example where services are no longer required due to changes in organisational strategy or priorities -Cancellation or pausing of a call-off contract due to changes in project status. -The addition of similar services, for example due to increased demand, where significant inconvenience and/or substantial duplication of costs to the Framework User can be avoided. -Increases to the volume of the services required. -Change in legislative requirements resulting in increased, reduced or amended services. -Where demand under one Lot is lower than anticipated and requirements are instead commissioned under the other Lot, subject always to the overall maximum Framework value not being exceeded. · It is anticipated that the framework will be let from November 2026 for a period of 3 years, unless terminated in accordance with the provisions of the Framework Agreement, with HIE having the option to extend for a further period or periods together no exceeding 1 yearVariant bids: not allowed

71241000 Feasibility study, advisory service, analysis 71620000 Analysis services 72221000 Business analysis consultancy services 72224000 Project management consultancy services 72316000 Data analysis services 79310000 Market research 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

Quality: 60%Price: 40%

Published sub-criteria (8)

5. Delivery Methodology - Strategy, Operational Planning, Benefits Realisation and Measurement: 9%
6. Delivery Methodology - Business Case Development, Options Appraisal, Feasibility Studies and Impact Assessments: 10%
7. Delivery Methodology - Review and Evaluation: 7%
8. Delivery Methodology - Wider Socio-Economic Analysis: 4%
9. Management and Delivery Team: 18%
10 Management Methodology: 7%
11. Fair Work Practices: 5%
price: 40%

Published award criteria (12)

1. Prompt Payment Standard Clause: pass/fail
2. Cyber Security: pass/fail
3. Payment of the Real Living Wage: pass/fail
4. Community Benefits: pass/fail
5. Delivery Methodology - Strategy, Operational Planning, Benefits Realisation and Measurement: 9%
6. Delivery Methodology - Business Case Development, Options Appraisal, Feasibility Studies and Impact Assessments: 10%
7. Delivery Methodology - Review and Evaluation: 7%
8. Delivery Methodology - Wider Socio-Economic Analysis: 4%
9. Management and Delivery Team: 18%
10 Management Methodology: 7%
11. Fair Work Practices: 5%
Price: 40%

Conditions of participation1

Condition of participation
no text published
Minimum: Minimum level(s) of standards required: 4B.5 It is a requirement of this Framework that bidders hold, or can commit to obtain prior to the commencement of any subsequently awarded Framework, the types and levels of insurance indicated below: Professional Risk Indemnity Insurance …

Staff: Names and qualifications of delivery staff must be submitted

What this means for your bid

Price carries 40 of 100 points: a 10% discount moves about 4 points. The method statement decides this lot, not the discount.
“FTS051 Research, Appraisal, Delivery and Support Framework - Lot 1…” is a framework: the contest is a place on its panel, up to 8 suppliers, not a single contract.

Price arithmetic assumes straight proportional scoring; the tender pack may use another formula.

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: Closed
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 · HIE reserves the right to re-tender for these services upon termination of the contract or at the end of the contract period, including any extension period.
First published: 13 Jul 2026, 16:17 BST
Last source update: 22 Jul 2026, 12:47 BST
Award evaluation window: 20 Aug 2026 – …
Authority reference: FTS 051
FTS notice number: 2026/S 000-069141
Classification (CPV): Analysis servicesBusiness analysis consultancy servicesBusiness and management consultancy and related servicesBusiness and management consultancy servicesBusiness development consultancy servicesData analysis servicesEconomic impact assessmentFeasibility studyFeasibility study, advisory service, analysisFinancial management consultancy services
+3 more
Market research servicesPerformance review services
Delivery area: Scotland (UKM6)
Official registry OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-06c9de Find a Tender

Contract terms

Electronic trading: e-invoicing allowed · electronic ordering · electronic payment
Performance terms: Refer to Appendix A Scope of Requirements.

Review and risk notes

Review procedure: An economic operator that suffers, or is at risk of suffering, loss or damage attributable to a breach of duty under the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015 or the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 , may bring proceedings in the Sheriff Court or the Court of Session.

Publisher note: AWARD CRITERIA SCORING – Due to system restrictions in terms of characters permitted for this Section, full details of the scoring methodologies are contained within the Invitation to Tender, including the minimum quality threshold requirement. In order to participate, bidders should register, for free, on the Public Contracts Scotland (PCS) website(www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk) and record their interest in this contract and download and complete all relevant documentation. Submissions should be made using the PCS Postbox facility only. Email or hard copies will not be accepted. The submission must be received by the published deadline. Late tenders will not be accepted and HIE will reject any submissions received after the deadline. NOTE: the deadline for both bidder questions and the submission of the tenders are different for Lots 1 and 2 (Lot 1 having later deadlines). PCS also gives suppliers access to an on-line Question & Answer facility which allows queries to be submitted (anonymously), and answers published and shared with all potential bidders. 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=835578. 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. 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: Refer to tender documents (SC Ref:835578) Download the ESPD document here: https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/ESPD/ESPD_Download.aspx?id=835578

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: 26 Aug 2026, 12:00 BST
Submission channel: {"electronicSubmission"}
Accepted languages: en
Bid validity: 90 days from the deadline
Bids opened: 20 Aug 2026, 12:00 BST

Detailed submission instructions & authority contactsFrom official release

www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk ↗

Timeline

22 Jul 2026 → 26 Aug 2026 · 3 dates

Notice published92 days ago
22 Jul 2026, 12:47 BST
Bids opened63 days ago
20 Aug 2026, 12:00 BST
Admission / appointment period ends57 days ago · period end, not a bid countdown
26 Aug 2026, 12:00 BST

Notice history

1 event · 2 releases on Find a Tender

Deadline moved to 26 Aug 2026, 12:00 BST
22 Jul 2026, 12:47 BST
+6 days · was 20 Aug 2026, 12:00 BST

Published amendments (1 · 1 deadline change)

When	What	Before	After	Shift
—	DeadlineTime limit · IV.2.2	20 Aug 2026	26 Aug 2026	+6 d
—	Bid openingConditions for opening of tenders · IV.2.7	20 Aug 2026	26 Aug 2026	+6 d

Additional time.

Contracting authority & participating public bodies

6 public bodies on the notice

Highlands and Islands Enterprise

Contracting authorityRegional or local agency/officeEconomic affairs An Lòchran, 10 Inverness Campus, Inverness, Scotland, IV2 5NAContact email, phone Published organisation website ↗

Consortium members and other public bodies

Cairngorm Mountain (Scotland) LtdContracting authority Aviemore, ScotlandContact email, phone
HIE OrkneyContracting authority Inverness, ScotlandContact email, phone
HIE Ventures Ltd.Contracting authority Inverness, ScotlandContact email, phone
South of Scotland EnterpriseContracting authority Dumfries, UKContact email
Wave Energy Scotland LimitedContracting authority Inverness, ScotlandContact email, phone

Dispute resolution & review bodies

Inverness Sheriff Court and Justice of the Peace CourtReview body InvernessContact email, phone

Official documents & specifications

Official links; attachments are not copied

No document links were published on the notice.