Official UK procurement notice
SPS-02053 Personal Development & Learning
Authority: Scottish Prison Service
What is being bought
Published requirement descriptionProvision of prison based Development and Learning Service throughout Scotland in the public prisons operated by the SPS. The services will be provided to adults with varying degrees of pre-existing educational engagement; disadvantaged learners; 'young offenders' in custody (18-24): & occasionally 'young persons' in custody (16-17).
The services will include delivery of a varied curriculum of learning & skills in prisons; learning needs screening of persons following admission to custody; specialist screening (e.g. dyslexia) where required; & working with SPS to ensure progress against the SPS Development & Learning Strategy.
The SPS has developed the next generation of its Development & Learning Strategy, "Learning for a Better Future" replacing both existing Learning & Skills Strategy (2016-2021) and Employability Strategy (2017-2022). The project team has aimed to create a single strategy which aligns with the Objectives and Principles set out in the current SPS Corporate Plan (2023-28).
CPV: Administrative educational services · Adult and other education services · Education and training services · Higher education services · Operation of an educational centre
The lotProcurement structure
single lot · no lot value publishedLot #1The SPS commenced this procurement process in good faith and with the intention of…AwardedRenewal
The SPS commenced this procurement process in good faith and with the intention of awarding a contract. The procurement followed the Restricted Procedure utilising the Competitive Procedure with Negotiation procurement route.
Following publication of the Contract Notice a Single Procurement Document (SPD) was made available to bidders, along with SPS's supporting guidance document.
Tender responses were then be evaluated by SPS. Following the evaluation of the SPD, shortlisted bidders were provided with an Invitation to Tender (ITT). The ITT was published by SPS and was be made available to bidders via the Public Contract Scotland Tender (PCS-T) portal, an e-Tendering System which can be accessed via the Public Contracts Scotland (PCS) website.
The Suppliers noted that all documentation, including the SPD, was only available in electronic form and can be accessed via your web browser.
Bidders were required to complete the Online Qualification and Technical SPD (Scotland) Questionnaire on PCS-T.
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).
Published award criteria (2)
- Quality: 60
- Price: 40
- Economic & financial standing
Bidders will be required to have a minimum yearly turnover of GBP10m for the last two years in the business areas covered by the proposed contract. There must be no qualifications or contract-indications from any evidence provided in support of the bidders economic & financial standing.
Bidders must have the following minimum insurance levels:
Employers Liability insurance in accordance with any legal requirements in force for full time of any contract
Public Liability insurance of GBP10m.
Locking Indemnity of GBP100,000
- Technical & professional ability
SPD Question 4C.2.1 Services– 40%
Bidders shall provide a summary of two completed projects (delivered in the last three years) which demonstrate a proven track record of delivering development/employability and learning services. One example shall detail where they have managed multi-site services. The examples should include the widest range of capacities that would mirror the range of needs across the SPS landscape.
SPD Question 4C.2.2 Qualifications – Pass/Fail
Bidders are required to demonstrate that their organisation has (or has access to persons with) levels of relevant experience, qualifications and competence to support the proper performance of the Services. The Supplier will be required to ensure that persons delivering prisoner learning or developing materials for this hold a recognised teaching qualification.
SPD Question 4C.2.3 Man Power – 30%
Bidders are required to detail staffing levels for the previous 3 academic years.
SPD Question 4C.2.4 Equipment – 20%
It is a requirement under this contract that the successful bidder shall provide a hybrid model of learning which is digitally enhanced and supportive of digital literacy. The bidder shall be required to provide examples of how they have harnessed technology to deliver education services in different environments.
SPD Question 4C.2.5 Subcontracting Pass/Fail
The SPS intends to move forward with a single supplier contract. However, the bidder should provide examples of how they can utilise subcontracting to…
- Technical & professional ability
The Supplier will be required to ensure that persons delivering prisoner learning or developing materials for this hold a recognised teaching qualification.
- Staff
- Names and qualifications of delivery staff must be submitted
- Successive reduction
- Candidates will be reduced successively across stages
- Price carries 40 of 100 points: a 10% discount moves about 4 points. The method statement decides this lot, not the discount.
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
- Competitive procedure with negotiation
- 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
- Stand-alone contract (no framework)
- Competition type
- Competitive procedure
- GPA / WTO covered
- Yes (GPA)
- Recurring procurement
- No (one-off requirement)
- First published
- 13 Nov 2023, 09:45 GMT
- Last source update
- 10 Mar 2025, 11:06 GMT
- Authority reference
SPS-02053- FTS notice number
2025/S 000-008473- Classification (CPV)
- Delivery area
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-041799Find a Tender
- Electronic trading
- e-invoicing allowed · electronic ordering · electronic payment
- Performance terms
The bidder will be able to deliver & award activities that are accredited and related to the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) plus other relevant vocational qualifications. Bidder staff working in SPS premises will be subject to employer led vetting with Disclosure Scotland at Enhanced level and/or as required by the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (Scotland). The bidder will comply with the Data Protection Act 2018 in respect of the appropriate handling of personal data & records relating to learners using the Services. Parties working in SPS premises will be required to comply with prison Security regulations incl the provisions about Prohibited Items. SPS will seek assurances regarding workforce matters (including Living Wage) in respect of those engaged to provide the Services (this assurance will include any sub-contractor or training partner staff used to provide Services within SPS premises).
Publisher note: (SC Ref:792787)
How it was run
Official notice- Submission deadline
- 3 Jun 2024, 12:00 BST
- Submission channel
- {"electronicSubmission"}
- Accepted languages
- en
Timeline
3 Jun 2024 → 10 Mar 2025 · 4 dates- Submission deadline3 Jun 2024, 12:00 BST
- Invitations to tender expected1 Jul 2024, 00:00 BST
- Next notice expected1 Jul 2024, 00:00 BST
- Notice published10 Mar 2025, 11:06 GMT
Notice history
5 events · 5 releases on Find a Tender · since 2 May 2024- Status changed to active2 May 2024, 08:43 BST
- Procurement method changed2 May 2024, 08:43 BST
- Deadline published: 3 Jun 2024, 12:00 BST2 May 2024, 08:43 BST
- Status changed to cancelled8 May 2024, 14:52 BST
- Status changed to complete10 Mar 2025, 11:06 GMT
Routine re-releases (5)
- 2024-05: 1 release · 2 May 2024
- 2023-11: 1 release · 13 Nov 2023
Commercial outcome & contract awards
Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast| Awarded to | Value | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| PEOPLEPLUS GROUP LIMITED | £36,400,000 † | — | Awarded |
1 further award records carry no date or value.
Contracts
Contract 008473-2025-02053-1 · PEOPLEPLUS GROUP LIMITED
- Signed
- 21 Feb 2025
- Value
- £36,400,000
- Status
- active
Bid statistics published by the authority
| Bids | SME | VCSE | Valid bid range |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4bids · 4 electronic · 4 from abroad | 0 | — | — |
Contracting authority & participating public bodies
Dispute resolution & review bodies
- Edinburgh Sherriff CourtReview body
Bidders & participating suppliers
1 commercial party on the notice- PeoplePlus Group LtdAwarded supplier
Official documents & specifications
Official links; attachments are not copiedNo document links were published on the notice.