Official UK procurement notice
Water Quality Management · UK public procurement notice
Authority: APUC Ltd (Public body)
What is being bought4 lots · detail below
Published requirement descriptionThe Authority are seeking Contractor(s) for the provision of Water Quality Management Services to the Higher (HE) and Further (FE) Education Institutions throughout Scotland and Higher Education Institutions and other organisations in England and Wales. This includes all members, associate members and their associated and affiliated bodies of APUC Ltd.(Advanced Procurement for Universities & Colleges), HEPCW (Higher
Education Procurement Consortia Wales), NEUPC (North Eastern Universities Purchasing Consortium), NWUPC (North Western Universities Purchasing Consortium), LUPC (London Universities Purchasing Consortium) and SUPC (Southern Universities Purchasing Consortium). In addition to this NHS Scotland Local and Specialised Health Boards, Scotland Excel and its members, Scottish Government Bodies and the Scottish Prison Service will also have access to the Framework Agreement, as detailed within Appendix E - List of Institutions.
The Authority are seeking to obtain, through this tendering process, price normalisation for all Institutions regardless of size and demand.
- Recurrence: The Framework Agreement will run for an initial period of 24 months and may be extended for a further 24 month period, after which it will be re-tendered.
CPV: Installation services of machinery and apparatus for filtering or purifying water · Risk or hazard assessment other than for construction · Tank and reservoir cleaning services · Tank-cleaning services · Water filtration apparatus · Water-purifying apparatus · Water-treatment chemicals
How this framework works
From the published notice- Places
- up to 22 suppliers
Lots and requirements (4)Procurement structure
4 lots · no lot values published · same evaluation weights on every lotLot #1Risk Assessment - ScotlandRenewal
The Authority are seeking Contractor(s) for the provision of Sampling and Assessment Services for Risk Assessment as part of a Water Quality Management service to the Higher (HE) and Further (FE) Education Institutions throughout Scotland and Higher Education Institutions. This includes all members, associate members and their associated and affiliated bodies of APUC Ltd.(Advanced Procurement for Universities & Colleges). In addition to this NHS Scotland Local and Specialised Health Boards, Scotland Excel and its members, Scottish Government Bodies and the Scottish Prison Service will also have access to the Framework Agreement, as detailed within Appendix E - List of Institutions.
The Authority are seeking to obtain, through this tendering process, price normalisation for all Institutions regardless of size and demand.
The Authority are seeking to appoint a maximum of 5 contractors to Lot 1A. 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.
Lot #2Risk Assessment - England, Wales and Northern IrelandRenewal
The Authority are seeking Contractor(s) for the provision of Sampling and Assessment Services for Risk Assessment as part of a Water Quality Management service to the Higher Education Institutions and other organisations in England and Wales. This includes all members, associate members and their associated and affiliated bodies of HEPCW (Higher
Education Procurement Consortia Wales), NEUPC (North Eastern Universities Purchasing Consortium), NWUPC (North Western Universities Purchasing Consortium), LUPC (London Universities Purchasing Consortium) and SUPC (Southern Universities Purchasing Consortium).
The full list of institutions is detailed within Appendix E - List of Institutions.
The Authority are seeking to obtain, through this tendering process, price normalisation for all Institutions regardless of size and demand.
The Authority is seeking to appoint maximum of 5 contractors to Lot 1B of the Framework Agreement.
Lot #3Water Treatment Services (UK Wide)Renewal
The Authority are seeking Contractor(s) for the provision of Water Treatment Services as part of a Water Quality Management service to the Higher (HE) and Further (FE) Education Institutions throughout Scotland and Higher Education Institutions and other organisations in England and Wales. This includes all members, associate members and their associated and affiliated bodies of APUC Ltd.(Advanced Procurement for Universities & Colleges), HEPCW (Higher
Education Procurement Consortia Wales), NEUPC (North Eastern Universities Purchasing Consortium), NWUPC (North Western Universities Purchasing Consortium), LUPC (London Universities Purchasing Consortium) and SUPC (Southern Universities Purchasing Consortium). In addition to this NHS Scotland Local and Specialised Health Boards, Scotland Excel and its members, Scottish Government Bodies and the Scottish Prison Service will also have access to the Framework Agreement, as detailed within Appendix E - List of Institutions.
The Authority are seeking to obtain, through this tendering process, price normalisation for all Institutions regardless of size and demand.
The Authority is seeking to appoint a maximum of 6 contractors to Lot 2 of the Framework Agreement. 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.
Lot #4One Stop Shop (UK Wide)Renewal
The Authority are seeking Contractor(s) for the provision of a One-Stop-Shop service consisting of Sampling and Risk Assessment services as well as Water Treatment services as part of a complete Water Quality Management Service to the Higher (HE) and Further (FE) Education Institutions throughout Scotland and Higher Education Institutions and other organisations in England and Wales. This includes all members, associate members and their associated and affiliated bodies of APUC Ltd.(Advanced Procurement for Universities & Colleges), HEPCW (Higher
Education Procurement Consortia Wales), NEUPC (North Eastern Universities Purchasing Consortium), NWUPC (North Western Universities Purchasing Consortium), LUPC (London Universities Purchasing Consortium) and SUPC (Southern Universities Purchasing Consortium). In addition to this NHS Scotland Local and Specialised Health Boards, Scotland Excel and its members, Scottish Government Bodies and the Scottish Prison Service will also have access to the Framework Agreement, as detailed within Appendix E - List of Institutions.
The Authority are seeking to obtain, through this tendering process, price normalisation for all Institutions regardless of size and demand.
The Authority is seeking to appoint a maximum 6 contractors to Lot 3 of the Framework Agreement. 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.
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 sub-criteria (2)
- Technical: 50%
- price: 50%
Published award criteria (2)
- Technical: 50
- Price: 50
- Condition of participationno text publishedMinimum: With reference to 4B.5 of the ESPD in the qualification questionnaire, bidders must confirm they can provide the following supporting evidence prior to award: Employer's (Compulsory) Liability Insurance = 5 000 000 GBP Public Liability Insurance = 5 000 000 GBP Product Liability …
- Price carries 50 of 100 points: a 10% discount moves about 5 points. This one is won on the number: sharpen the price before polishing the prose.
- “Water Quality Management” is a framework: the contest is a place on its panel, up to 22 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 · The Framework Agreement will run for an initial period of 24 months and may be extended for a further 24 month period, after which it will be re-tendered.
- First published
- 25 Aug 2025, 15:21 BST
- Last source update
- 18 Sept 2025, 16:32 BST
- Award evaluation window
- 26 Sept 2025 – …
- Authority reference
EFM1068 AP- FTS notice number
2025/S 000-057861- Classification (CPV)
- Delivery area
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-058d62Find a Tender
- Electronic trading
- e-invoicing allowed · electronic ordering · electronic payment
- Performance terms
Submission of Management Information
Following commencement of the Framework Agreement, the Contractor will provide a performance report to The Authority on a quarterly basis to include spend by institution under the Framework Agreement for the reporting period.
Contractors must provide the information on a quarterly basis, within 10 working days following the start of each quarter. Data must be uploaded to the website: ucsp.ac.uk ↗ using the template provided (template shall be provided during the lead-in period). The supplied
template is the only format permissible and should contain Contractor name, tender reference, total net spend by institution each month. If there has been no spend for the quarter, then this will still require you to log in and record a nil spend return.
Publisher note: Form of Tender Tenderers must sign Appendix A prior to award to confirm that their Tender Response is a complete, true and accurate submission. Freedom of Information Please confirm that you will be in a position to complete, prior to award, Appendix B(if applicable) in the Technical Questionnaire. This information should only be submitted if applicable at point of award. It is for information only and will not be scored. Sustain Supply Chain Code of Conduct The Authority has developed Appendix D which sets out its expected standards for its supply chain in social, ethical and environmental compliance. Tenderers must complete the Appendix prior to award to assist in achieving its objectives. List Of Institutions Tenderers must complete and return Appendix E to confirm their ability to service the required coverage levels. Prompt Payment Tenderers must confirm that payment of subcontractors at all stages of the supply chain will be made within a maximum of 30 days and that this will be managed. It is for information only and will not be scored but is a requirement of this tender and will be included in the contractual terms. Serious Organised Crime Please complete Appendix H in the Technical Questionnaire. Tenderers must complete the Declaration of Non-Involvement in Serious Organised Crime. It is for information only and will not be scored but it is a requirement of this tender and will be included in the assessment of tender responses and in contractual terms. Human Trafficking & Labour Exploitation Please complete Appendix I in the Technical Questionnaire. Tenderers must complete the Declaration of Non-Involvement in Human Trafficking & labour Exploitation. It is for information only and will not be scored but it is a requirement of this tender and will be included in the assessment of tender responses and in contractual terms. SCM Responsible Procurement Supply Chain Evaluation Tool: Section 1 SCM RP Section 1 is the Authority's designated tool for contracted suppliers to keep up-to-date essential information on their company, which allows the Authority to get an insight into their company’s general standing, commitment to preventing modern slavery and addressing climate change, as well as their pledge to fair and decent working practices for their staff. Tenderers must confirm that they will commit to completing SCM RP Section 1 on award and review on a yearly basis. It is for information only and will not be scored but is a requirement of this tender and will be included in the contractual terms. Living Wage Status Please provide details on your position on the Real Living Wage. This information should be submitted in the Technical envelope in PCS-T. It is for information only and will not be scored. The buyer is using PCS-Tender to conduct this ITT exercise. The Project code is 29889. 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/ The buyer is using PCS-Tender to conduct this ITT exercise. The Project code is 29889. For more information see: http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/info/InfoCentre.aspx?ID=2343 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: The Contractor will work with the Authority to deliver Community Benefits or social value where they are identifiable throughout the term of the Framework Agreement. Examples of Community Benefits or social value are: providing training opportunities to staff and students and investment in the local community. (SC Ref:807439)
How it was run
Official notice- Appointment period ends
- 7 Oct 2025, 12:00 BST
- Submission channel
- {"electronicSubmission"}
- Accepted languages
- en
- Bids opened
- 26 Sept 2025, 13:00 BST
Timeline
18 Sept 2025 → 7 Oct 2025 · 3 dates- Notice published398 days ago18 Sept 2025, 16:32 BST
- Bids opened390 days ago26 Sept 2025, 13:00 BST
- Admission / appointment period ends379 days ago · period end, not a bid countdown7 Oct 2025, 12:00 BST
Notice history
1 event · 2 releases on Find a Tender- Deadline moved to 7 Oct 2025, 12:00 BST18 Sept 2025, 16:32 BST+11 days · was 26 Sept 2025, 12:00 BST
Published amendments (1 · 1 deadline change)
| When | What | Before | After | Shift |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | DeadlineTime limit · IV.2.2 | 26 Sept 2025 | 7 Oct 2025 | +11 d |
| — | Bid openingConditions for opening of tenders · IV.2.7 | 26 Sept 2025 | 7 Oct 2025 | +11 d |
Due to the delay from the Scottish Government to put in place legislation to allow rest of the UK public bodies to use Scottish led agreements. The Scottish Government has now advised that the new legislation will now not fully come into force until December 2025.This Framework Agreement is now expected to go live on 1st December 2025.
Contracting authority & participating public bodies
2 public bodies on the noticeOther public bodies
- European UnionFunder
Dispute resolution & review bodies
- Stirling Sheriff Court HouseReview body
Official documents & specifications
Official links; attachments are not copiedNo document links were published on the notice.