Insolvency Services to Accountant in Bankruptcy

Accountant in Bankruptcy (AiB) is an Executive Agency of the Scottish Government responsible for administering Scotland's statutory debt solutions. These include bankruptcy, Protected Trust Deeds and the Debt Arrangement Scheme.

To support the delivery of its statutory functions, AiB intends to establish a single-provider Framework Agreement for the provision of Insolvency Services across Scotland. The appointed provider will deliver insolvency administration services for bankruptcy cases where AiB has been appointed Trustee under the Bankruptcy (Scotland) Act 2016. The provider will administer allocated cases on AiB's behalf, while AiB will remain the appointed Trustee throughout.

The appointed provider will be expected to carry out the administration of cases in accordance with the Bankruptcy (Scotland) Act 2016 and any associated legislation, statutory guidance and operational instructions issued by AiB. An Operating Manual detailing the required bankruptcy administration processes will be provided to the successful provider.

The Services are expected to be required primarily throughout Scotland. However, occasions may arise where service delivery is required elsewhere within the United Kingdom and, exceptionally, overseas. Tenderers must demonstrate that they possess the capability, capacity and operational infrastructure necessary to deliver the Services effectively and consistently, irrespective of geographical location.

Between July 2022 and May 2026, approximately 3,179 insolvency cases were instructed, comprising 1,973 Debtor Applications and 1,206 Creditor Petitions. Under the proposed arrangements, AiB intends to retain the majority of Debtor Applications, with only more complex cases being allocated to the appointed provider. Forthcoming legislative changes may also result in a further reduction in the volume of cases allocated. Bidders should note that insolvency services are demand-led and historic volumes are provided for information only and do not constitute any guarantee of future case volumes or throughput.

Complex cases may include cases that involve trading activity, self-employed debtors, deceased debtor estates, legal entities (including partnerships, trusts and incorporated bodies), Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisations (SCIOs), foreign property ownership, property portfolio ownership, tenanted property ownership, land ownership or crofting. The expectation for these cases would be for full administration.

The Framework Agreement will be established for an initial period of two years with the option for AiB to extend for up to two further periods of twelve months each; subject to satisfactory performance and continued business need.

This procurement is being conducted using the Restricted Procedure. This Contract Notice relates to the Selection Stage only. Interested economic operators are required to complete and submit the Single Procurement Document (SPD Scotland) and any associated selection-stage information by the stated deadline.

As part of the SPD, applicants will be required to complete a Cyber Security Assessment through the Supply25 portal. The assessment will be used to inform AiB's evaluation of Applicants' quality assurance arrangements and cyber security capabilities

Detailed information regarding the SPD, minimum requirements and evaluation methodology is contained within the "Selection Questionnaire (SQ) and Instructions for Applicants" document accompanying this Contract Notice.

Only those candidates successfully shortlisted following evaluation of SPD responses will be invited to participate in the Invitation to Tender (ITT) stage.