Contract

Social Research and Analysis Framework

  • Scottish Government

F03: Contract award notice

Notice identifier: 2025/S 000-018509

Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-03ae9d (view related notices)

Published 1 May 2025, 3:30pm



Section one: Contracting authority

one.1) Name and addresses

Scottish Government

Victoria Quay, The Shore

Edinburgh

EH6 6QQ

Contact

Monika Somerville

Email

monika.somerville@gov.scot

Telephone

+44 1312447556

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code

UKM - Scotland

Internet address(es)

Main address

http://www.scotland.gov.uk

Buyer's address

https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA10482

one.4) Type of the contracting authority

Ministry or any other national or federal authority

one.5) Main activity

General public services


Section two: Object

two.1) Scope of the procurement

two.1.1) Title

Social Research and Analysis Framework

Reference number

CASE/605656

two.1.2) Main CPV code

  • 73110000 - Research services

two.1.3) Type of contract

Services

two.1.4) Short description

The Framework Agreement shall cover the provision of Social Research and Analysis across the Core Scottish Government departments. It shall comprise a multi lot/multi supplier agreement with 3 lots: Lot 1 Consultation Analysis, Lot 2 Evaluations, and Lot 3 Research.

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: £15,700,000

two.2) Description

two.2.1) Title

Consultation Analysis

Lot No

1

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 79311300 - Survey analysis services

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UKM - Scotland

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

The Scottish Government runs a large volume of consultations throughout the year - on average, we publish 100 consultations per year. We, thus, have an ongoing requirement for consultation analysis. We wish, therefore, to establish a framework of external suppliers with the experience, skills, and capacity to deliver both quantitative and qualitative analysis of responses to a wide range of government consultations.

Work that is required under this lot:

Includes: Understanding policy background of consultation, receiving, securely storing and classifying consultation responses. Analysis of responses to consultation questions, setting out key issues and nature and level of support for consultation proposals in full report.

Does not include: conducting public consultations or surveys or evaluation of consultation proposals.

two.2.5) Award criteria

Quality criterion - Name: Framework Management / Weighting: 35%

Quality criterion - Name: Delivery of Services- Call-Off Contracts / Weighting: 45%

Quality criterion - Name: Cyber Security / Weighting: 10%

Quality criterion - Name: Fair Work First / Weighting: 5%

Quality criterion - Name: Community Benefits / Weighting: 5%

Price - Weighting: 30

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

Evaluations

Lot No

2

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 79419000 - Evaluation consultancy services

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UKM - Scotland

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

The Scottish Government commissions a wide range of evaluation research to support delivering better outcomes for the people of Scotland by understanding which policies and / or programmes work best and why, and how to learn and improve from the implementation and delivery of policies and programmes. Robust monitoring and evaluation ensures that policies benefit the people who they are designed to help. It also provides evidence for the public to better understand the decisions and activities of the Scottish Government, their impact and their value for money.

Work that is required under this lot:

Includes: Process evaluations. Small-scale evaluations (project value limit 65K GBP) including evaluability and impact assessments, logic modelling and theory of change. Economic evaluations. Statutory monitoring work, performance monitoring and reviews of legislative requirements.

Does not include: Experimental / quasi-experimental impact evaluation, horizon scanning, meta-analysis, feasibility studies

two.2.5) Award criteria

Quality criterion - Name: Framework Management / Weighting: 35%

Quality criterion - Name: Delivery of Services- Call-Off Contracts / Weighting: 45%

Quality criterion - Name: Cyber Security / Weighting: 10%

Quality criterion - Name: Fair Work First / Weighting: 5%

Quality criterion - Name: Community Benefits / Weighting: 5%

Price - Weighting: 30

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

Social Research

Lot No

3

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 79315000 - Social research services

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UKM - Scotland

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

Work that is required under this lot:

Includes: Primary research (collecting data from people): quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods data collection/fieldwork online; by telephone; face to face. Representative surveys and focus groups. Questions in Omnibus surveys if offered by suppliers. In depth, observational interviews. Public engagement and public panels. Case studies, co-creation, ethnography, narrative analysis, focus groups, lived experience research, deliberative methods. Secondary research (analysis of pre-existing data) qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods data analysis and literature reviews, evidence reviews, systematic reviews, rapid evidence reviews. Data linkage.

Does not include: impact assessment, evaluation, consultation analysis, econometric or financial analysis, modelling.

two.2.5) Award criteria

Quality criterion - Name: Framework Management / Weighting: 35%

Quality criterion - Name: Delivery of Services- Call-Off Contracts / Weighting: 45%

Quality criterion - Name: Cyber Security / Weighting: 10%

Quality criterion - Name: Fair Work First / Weighting: 5%

Quality criterion - Name: Community Benefits / Weighting: 5%

Price - Weighting: 30%

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

Open procedure

four.1.3) Information about a framework agreement or a dynamic purchasing system

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: 2024/S 000-015717


Section five. Award of contract

Lot No

3

Title

Social Research

A contract/lot is awarded: Yes

five.2) Award of contract

five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract

11 April 2025

five.2.2) Information about tenders

Number of tenders received: 30

Number of tenders received from SMEs: 22

Number of tenders received from tenderers from other EU Member States: 0

Number of tenders received from tenderers from non-EU Member States: 30

Number of tenders received by electronic means: 30

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

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

Craigforth

1a Henderson street, Bridge of allan

Stirling

Fk94NA

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UKM - Scotland
The contractor is an SME

Yes

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

The Lines Between Ltd

Studio 1.12, Edinburgh Palette, 151 London Road,

Edinburgh

EH7 6AE

Country

United Kingdom

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

Yes

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

Ipsos (market research) Ltd

4 Wemyss Place

Edinburgh

EH3 6DH

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UKM75 - Edinburgh, City of
The contractor is an SME

No

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

Progressive Partnership

17 Corstorphine Road, Edinburgh,

Edinburgh

EH12 6DD

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UKM - Scotland
The contractor is an SME

Yes

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

AECOM Limited

1 Tanfield

Edinburgh

EH3 5DA

Country

United Kingdom

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

No

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

National Centre for Social Research

35 Northampton Square

London

EC1V 0AX

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UKI - London
The contractor is an SME

No

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

Thinks Insight and Strategy (Britain Thinks) Limited

Somerset House, Strand

London

WC2R 1LA

Country

United Kingdom

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

Yes

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

Total value of the contract/lot: £8,100,000


Section five. Award of contract

Lot No

1

Title

Consultation Analysis

A contract/lot is awarded: Yes

five.2) Award of contract

five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract

11 April 2025

five.2.2) Information about tenders

Number of tenders received: 17

Number of tenders received from SMEs: 14

Number of tenders received from tenderers from other EU Member States: 0

Number of tenders received from tenderers from non-EU Member States: 17

Number of tenders received by electronic means: 17

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

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

The Lines Between Ltd

Studio 1.12, Edinburgh Palette, 151 London Road,

Edinburgh

EH7 6AE

Country

United Kingdom

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

Yes

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

Craigforth

1a Henderson street, Bridge of allan

Stirling

Fk94NA

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UKM - Scotland
The contractor is an SME

Yes

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

Progressive Partnership

17 Corstorphine Road, Edinburgh,

Edinburgh

EH12 6DD

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UKM - Scotland
The contractor is an SME

Yes

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

EKOS

93 St Georges Road, St Georges Studios

Glasgow

G3 6JA

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UKM82 - Glasgow City
The contractor is an SME

Yes

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

Alma Economics

2 Wigton Road

London

E17 5HU

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UKI5 - Outer London – East and North East
The contractor is an SME

Yes

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

Griesbach & Associates

7 Hazel Avenue

Crieff

PH7 3ER

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UKM - Scotland
The contractor is an SME

Yes

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

Wellside Research Ltd

20 Kerr Loan

Haddington

EH41 3DZ

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UKM73 - East Lothian and Midlothian
The contractor is an SME

Yes

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

Total value of the contract/lot: £2,100,000


Section five. Award of contract

Lot No

2

Title

Evaluations

A contract/lot is awarded: Yes

five.2) Award of contract

five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract

11 April 2025

five.2.2) Information about tenders

Number of tenders received: 32

Number of tenders received from SMEs: 25

Number of tenders received from tenderers from other EU Member States: 0

Number of tenders received from tenderers from non-EU Member States: 32

Number of tenders received by electronic means: 32

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

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

The Lines Between Ltd

Studio 1.12, Edinburgh Palette, 151 London Road,

Edinburgh

EH7 6AE

Country

United Kingdom

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

Yes

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

Ipsos (market research) Ltd

4 Wemyss Place

Edinburgh

EH3 6DH

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UKM75 - Edinburgh, City of
The contractor is an SME

No

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

EKOS

93 St Georges Road, St Georges Studios

Glasgow

G3 6JA

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UKM82 - Glasgow City
The contractor is an SME

Yes

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

KSO Research Limited

42 Montgomery Street, Eaglesham

Glasgow

G76 0AS

Country

United Kingdom

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

Yes

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

GC Insight Ltd

102 Colmore Row , 137 Sauchiehall Street

Birmingham

B3 3AG

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UKG31 - Birmingham
The contractor is an SME

Yes

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

Total value of the contract/lot: £5,500,000


Section six. Complementary information

six.3) Additional information

All suppliers on this framework are committed to offering differing packages of Fair Work Practices, packages include the payment of the Real Living Wage or higher for the duration of this framework.

All suppliers on this framework committed to delivering Community Benefits, if awarded 50k GBP or above of work under the framework in a reporting period. Suppliers offered differing packages of Community Benefits focusing around:

-Making sub-contracting opportunities available to SMEs, third sector an supported businesses;

-Targeted employment support, recruitment and work related training for priority groups;

-Educational support initiatives;

-Support for existing charity and third sector organisations;

-Up-skilling existing workforce;

-Equality and diversity initiatives.

Delivery of Community Benefits will be monitored as part of framework management over the framework period.

(SC Ref:796103)

six.4) Procedures for review

six.4.1) Review body

Edinburgh Sheriff Court

Sheriff Court House, 27 Chambers Street

Edinburgh

EH1 1LB

Country

United Kingdom