Award

NHSScotland Healthcare Planner Framework (2018) Extension

  • The Common Services Agency (more commonly known as NHS National Services Scotland) (NSS)

F15: Voluntary ex ante transparency notice

Notice identifier: 2025/S 000-017013

Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-050798

Published 25 April 2025, 12:50pm



Section one: Contracting authority/entity

one.1) Name and addresses

The Common Services Agency (more commonly known as NHS National Services Scotland) (NSS)

Gyle Square, 1 South Gyle Crescent

Edinburgh

EH12 9EB

Email

nss.hfsframeworkscotland@nhs.scot

Telephone

+44 1312756511

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code

UKM - Scotland

Internet address(es)

Main address

http://www.hfs.scot.nhs.uk

Buyer's address

https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA10442

one.4) Type of the contracting authority

Body governed by public law

one.5) Main activity

Health


Section two: Object

two.1) Scope of the procurement

two.1.1) Title

NHSScotland Healthcare Planner Framework (2018) Extension

two.1.2) Main CPV code

  • 71000000 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

two.1.3) Type of contract

Services

two.1.4) Short description

Extension to NHSScotland Healthcare Planner (2018) lots 1 and 2 framework for a duration up to a maximum of 24 months.

The value referred to in this notice within sections II.1.7 and V.2.4 refers to the initial value of the original framework procurement which

is not anticipated to be exceeded during the extension period.

two.1.6) Information about lots

This contract is divided into lots: Yes

two.1.7) Total value of the procurement (excluding VAT)

Value excluding VAT: £5,000,000

two.2) Description

two.2.1) Title

NHSScotland Healthcare Planner Framework (2018) Lot 1

Lot No

1

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 71000000 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UKM - Scotland

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

The NHSScotland Healthcare Planner Frameworks are a procurement vehicle for providing healthcare planner services to NHSScotland Boards across the whole of Scotland. Lot 1 framework expires on 30/04/25 and Lot 2 framework expires on 05/09/25.

The current level of uncertainty in the future NHSScotland capital pipeline is resulting in a position of being unable to scope a successor arrangement to the current Healthcare Planner framework. There is no certainty in the type and scale of projects beyond the short term (1-2 years) focus on lower value backlog maintenance projects as part of the NHSScotland Business Continuity Planning With a replacement to the Frameworks Scotland 3 delivery model currently being scoped, any potential replacement Healthcare Planner framework will require to be linked to the final outcomes of this new construction delivery model. For example, if the new project delivery model seeks to adopt contract alliancing principles, this could result in the requirement of specific contract conditions for Healthcare Planner contracts being required which are yet unknown. Furthermore, this could result in appointment and delivery of the Healthcare Planner services moving to a more regional approach as opposed to the current national approach. The future requirements will not be able to be determined until the successor to Frameworks Scotland 3 strategy and recommendations are completed and approved. This is currently programmed for March 2026.

It is anticipated, that by extending the framework by up to a maximum period for 24 months, this will allow for greater clarity around future pipeline and service needs. This should enable a future procurement to have an increased level of pipeline certainty.

Due to the cancellation and pausing of projects over the last 9-12 months, combined with the reduction in activity during the pandemic between 2020-2022, the anticipated spend through Healthcare Planner framework lots has been significantly below the stated contract value within the published Contract Notice. It is therefore anticipated that any future call-off from the framework during the 24-month extension period, would still not exceed the original value in the Contract Notice. It is anticipated that the volume of activity will be limited by the current capital and financial constraints.

Furthermore, the Scottish Government are currently developing the Service Reform Framework which is due for publication later in 2025 and therefore it would be sensible to understand the outcomes and recommendations to be incorporated into any new Healthcare Planner framework replacement.

The proposed extension letters will state that any new successor arrangements will be used once these are in place, if this is prior to the expiry of the extension. Therefore, in the event of a significant change in the current and anticipated short term capital position and or service planning pipeline, a new procurement can commence to enable a new framework or contract arrangement to be put in place prior to expiry of the proposed extension to NHSScotland Healthcare Planner framework.

The justification for the framework extension shall be on the basis of Regulation 72 (1) (c).

A modification notice will be issued via Public Contract Scotland portal after the issue of the VEAT notice, confirming a modification to the existing contract under Regulation 72 (1) (c). The value referred to in this notice within sections II.1.7 and V.2.4 refers to the initial value of the original framework procurement which is not anticipated to be exceeded during the extension period.

two.2.11) Information about options

Options: No

two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds

The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No

two.2) Description

two.2.1) Title

NHSScotland Healthcare Planner Framework (2018) Lot 2

Lot No

2

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 71000000 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UKM - Scotland

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

The NHSScotland Healthcare Planner Frameworks are a procurement vehicle for providing healthcare planner services to NHSScotland Boards across the whole of Scotland. Lot 1 framework expires on 30/04/25 and Lot 2 framework expires on 05/09/25.

The current level of uncertainty in the future NHSScotland capital pipeline is resulting in a position of being unable to scope a successor arrangement to the current Healthcare Planner framework. There is no certainty in the type and scale of projects beyond the short term (1-2 years) focus on lower value backlog maintenance projects as part of the NHSScotland Business Continuity Planning With a replacement to the Frameworks Scotland 3 delivery model currently being scoped, any potential replacement Healthcare Planner framework will require to be linked to the final outcomes of this new construction delivery model. For example, if the new project delivery model seeks to adopt contract alliancing principles, this could result in the requirement of specific contract conditions for Healthcare Planner contracts being required which are yet unknown. Furthermore, this could result in appointment and delivery of the Healthcare Planner services moving to a more regional approach as opposed to the current national approach. The future requirements will not be able to be determined until the successor to Frameworks Scotland 3 strategy and recommendations are completed and approved. This is currently programmed for March 2026.

It is anticipated, that by extending the framework by up to a maximum period for 24 months, this will allow for greater clarity around future pipeline and service needs. This should enable a future procurement to have an increased level of pipeline certainty.

Due to the cancellation and pausing of projects over the last 9-12 months, combined with the reduction in activity during the pandemic between 2020-2022, the anticipated spend through Healthcare Planner framework lots has been significantly below the stated contract value within the published Contract Notice. It is therefore anticipated that any future call-off from the framework during the 24-month extension period, would still not exceed the original value in the Contract Notice. It is anticipated that the volume of activity will be limited by the current capital and financial constraints.

Furthermore, the Scottish Government are currently developing the Service Reform Framework which is due for publication later in 2025 and therefore it would be sensible to understand the outcomes and recommendations to be incorporated into any new Healthcare Planner framework replacement.

The proposed extension letters will state that any new successor arrangements will be used once these are in place, if this is prior to the expiry of the extension. Therefore, in the event of a significant change in the current and anticipated short term capital position and or service planning pipeline, a new procurement can commence to enable a new framework or contract arrangement to be put in place prior to expiry of the proposed extension to NHSScotland Healthcare Planner framework.

The justification for the framework extension shall be on the basis of Regulation 72 (1) (c).

A modification notice will be issued via Public Contract Scotland portal after the issue of the VEAT notice, confirming a modification to the existing contract under Regulation 72 (1) (c). The value referred to in this notice within sections II.1.7 and V.2.4 refers to the initial value of the original framework procurement which is not anticipated to be exceeded during the extension period.

two.2.11) Information about options

Options: No

two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds

The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No


Section four. Procedure

four.1) Description

four.1.1) Type of procedure

Award of a contract without prior publication of a call for competition in the cases listed below

  • The procurement falls outside the scope of application of the regulations

Explanation:

The current level of uncertainty in the future NHSScotland capital pipeline is resulting in a position of being unable to scope a successor arrangement to the current Healthcare Planner framework. There is no certainty in the type and scale of projects beyond the short term (1-2 years) focus on lower value backlog maintenance projects as part of the NHSScotland Business Continuity Planning With a replacement to the Frameworks Scotland 3 delivery model currently being scoped, any potential replacement Healthcare Planner framework will require to be linked to the final outcomes of this new construction delivery model. For example, if the new project delivery model seeks to adopt contract alliancing principles, this could result in the requirement of specific contract conditions for Healthcare Planner contracts being required which are yet unknown. Furthermore, this could result in appointment and delivery of the Healthcare Planner services moving to a more regional approach as opposed to the current national approach. The future requirements will not be able to be determined until the successor to Frameworks Scotland 3 strategy and recommendations are completed and approved. This is currently programmed for March 2026. Therefore, with such future pipeline and delivery model uncertainty, it would not be prudent to go to the market to seek to procure a replacement for the Healthcare Planner framework at this time. It is anticipated, that by extending the framework by up to a maximum period for 24 months, this will allow for greater clarity around future pipeline and service needs.

The proposed extension letters will state that any new successor arrangements will be used once these are in place, if this is prior to the expiry of the extension.

The justification for the framework extension shall be on the basis of Regulation 72 (1) (c). A modification notice will be issued via PCS portal, confirming a modification to the existing contract under Regulation 72 (1) (c). The value referred to in this notice within sections II.1.7 and V.2.4 refers to the initial value of the original framework procurement which is not anticipated to be exceeded during the extension period.

four.1.3) Information about a framework agreement

The procurement involves the establishment of a framework agreement

four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)

The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes

four.2) Administrative information

four.2.1) Previous publication concerning this procedure

Notice number: 2021/S 238-628823


Section five. Award of contract/concession

Lot No

1

Title

NHSScotland Healthcare Planner Framework (2018) Lot 1

A contract/lot is awarded: Yes

five.2) Award of contract/concession

five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract

1 May 2021

five.2.2) Information about tenders

The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: Yes

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor/concessionaire

Archus

North Gate House

Bath

BA1 1RG

Telephone

+44 7796121112

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UK - United Kingdom
The contractor/concessionaire is an SME

Yes

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor/concessionaire

Buchan + Associates

8 Barnhill Drive

Glasgow

G775FY

Telephone

+44 7714677611

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UKM83 - Inverclyde, East Renfrewshire and Renfrewshire
The contractor/concessionaire is an SME

Yes

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor/concessionaire

Carnall Farrar

91 Wimpole St

London

W1G 0EF

Telephone

+44 02037707535

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UKC - North East (England)
The contractor/concessionaire is an SME

Yes

five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot/concession (excluding VAT)

Lowest offer: £311,296 / Highest offer: £535,707 taken into consideration


Section five. Award of contract/concession

Lot No

2

Title

NHSScotland Healthcare Planner Framework (2018) Lot 2

A contract/lot is awarded: Yes

five.2) Award of contract/concession

five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract

6 September 2021

five.2.2) Information about tenders

The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: Yes

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor/concessionaire

Archus

North Gate House

Bath

BA1 1RG

Telephone

+44 7796121112

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UK - United Kingdom
The contractor/concessionaire is an SME

Yes

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor/concessionaire

Buchan + Associates

8 Barnhill Drive

Glasgow

G775FY

Telephone

+44 7714677611

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UKM83 - Inverclyde, East Renfrewshire and Renfrewshire
The contractor/concessionaire is an SME

Yes

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor/concessionaire

KD Health

137 Wistaston Road, Wiliaston

Nantwich

CW5 6QS

Telephone

+44 7753916648

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UKD6 - Cheshire
The contractor/concessionaire is an SME

Yes

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor/concessionaire

Currie & Brown UK Limited

Onyx, 215 Bothwell Street

Glasgow

G2 7EZ

Telephone

+44 7902288808

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UK - United Kingdom
The contractor/concessionaire is an SME

Yes

five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot/concession (excluding VAT)

Lowest offer: £190,705 / Highest offer: £264,705 taken into consideration


Section six. Complementary information

six.3) Additional information

(SC Ref:795701)

six.4) Procedures for review

six.4.1) Review body

Edinburgh Sheriff Court and Justice of the Peace Court

Sheriff Court House 27 Chambers Street

Edinburgh

EH1 1LB

Country

United Kingdom