Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
Scottish Government
Q Spur, Saughton House, Broomhouse Drive
Edinburgh
EH11 3XD
Contact
Kate Townsley
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UKM - Scotland
Internet address(es)
Main address
Buyer's address
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA10482
one.3) Communication
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at
www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk
Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address
Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted electronically via
www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk
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
Review of Community Led Local Development in rural Scotland
Reference number
RESAS/009/24
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 73000000 - Research and development services and related consultancy services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
The Scottish Government is developing a new Rural Support Plan and associated rural policy which will follow on from the Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Bill.
To inform this work, we wish to commission a research project comprising the design and delivery of a review of three Scottish Government-funded programmes:
- Community Led Local Development
- Scottish Rural Action
- Scottish Rural Network
This research will constitute a review of the role and impact of these programmes. It will involve:
- evaluating the delivery of these programmes against their intended aims;
- engaging with a range of stakeholders to examine the strategic fit of these programmes within a wider policy and funding context, and in relation to other public and third sector policy and interventions;
- producing options and practical recommendations on future areas of focus and delivery models.
This review will draw on a range of previous research, including a desk review due for completion by June 2024 (see Section 3).
This specification sets out the aims and objectives of this work, provides background information on the policy approach and provides a suggested methodological approach to realising these aims. It sets out the tasks required of the contractor, management arrangements and timescales. Where appropriate, contractors are invited to suggest alternative approaches to meeting the aims and objectives of this review within the available budget and timescale.
The research will support the work of Scottish Government policy officials and Ministers in developing a new Rural Support Plan as well as wider rural policy. It should also benefit, and provide practical outputs for wider stakeholders, including those delivering the Community Led Local Development, Scottish Rural Network and Scottish Rural Action programmes, and people living and working in rural and island areas.
The review will take place in three stages, and outputs at each stage are required so that interim findings can feed into ongoing policy work, including the development of the Rural Support Plan and wider rural policy / legislation during 2024-25.
two.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT: £250,000
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 73000000 - Research and development services and related consultancy services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKM - Scotland
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
3.1 Research aims
The aims of this review are to:
1. Evaluate the delivery of Community Led Local Development, Scottish Rural Action and the Scottish Rural Network
2. Examine their strategic fit in relation to wider public and third sector interventions, identify their unique role and impact, any gaps or areas of duplication
3. Consider and propose options for their future role, focus and delivery, including in relation to the Rural Support Plan and wider rural policy, and in the context of the forthcoming Rural Delivery Plan
4. Consult and engage with a range of stakeholders
5. Produce practical recommendations
Whilst this research should provide a wider strategic overview of these programmes, in terms of the activities and timeframe to be considered, the contractor should focus on delivery of the Community Led Local Development and Scottish Rural Network programmes since 2021-22 and Scottish Rural Action since 2020-21.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion - Name: UNDERSTANDING THE REQUIREMENT / Weighting: 20%
Quality criterion - Name: METHODOLOGY / Weighting: 30%
Quality criterion - Name: STAFFING AND CAPABILITY / Weighting: 20%
Quality criterion - Name: TIMETABLE AND DELIVERY / Weighting: 15%
Quality criterion - Name: CLIMATE EMERGENCY / Weighting: 5%
Quality criterion - Name: FAIR WORK FIRST / Weighting: 5%
Quality criterion - Name: BUSINESS CONTINUITY AND DISASTER RECOVERY (BCDR) / Weighting: 5%
Price - Weighting: 80
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Start date
21 October 2024
End date
20 October 2025
This contract is subject to renewal
No
two.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: No
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 three. Legal, economic, financial and technical information
three.1) Conditions for participation
three.1.2) Economic and financial standing
List and brief description of selection criteria
Financial Ratios – Bidders must demonstrate a Current Ratio of no less than 0.8 in each of the last three financial years. Current Ratio will be calculated as follows: Total current assets divided by Total current liabilities.
Employer’s (Compulsory) Liability Insurance
Public Liability Insurance
Professional Risk Indemnity Insurance
Minimum level(s) of standards possibly required
Financial Ratios – Bidders must demonstrate a Current Ratio of no less than 0.8 in each of the last three financial years. Current Ratio will be calculated as follows: Total current assets divided by Total current liabilities.
Employer’s (Compulsory) Liability Insurance = 5 Million GBP
Public Liability Insurance = 5 Million GBP
Professional Risk Indemnity Insurance = 5 Million GBP
three.1.3) Technical and professional ability
List and brief description of selection criteria
Supply/Service Contracts – examples of relevant experience in last 3 years
Supply Chain Management/Tracking Systems Used
Proportion (%) to be Sub-Contracted
Minimum level(s) of standards possibly required
Supply/Service Contracts – examples of relevant experience in last 3 years
Supply Chain Management/Tracking Systems Used
Proportion (%) to be Sub-Contracted
three.2) Conditions related to the contract
three.2.3) Information about staff responsible for the performance of the contract
Obligation to indicate the names and professional qualifications of the staff assigned to performing the contract
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.1) Type of procedure
Open procedure
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 000-014543
four.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate
Date
7 August 2024
Local time
12:00pm
four.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted
English
four.2.6) Minimum time frame during which the tenderer must maintain the tender
Duration in months: 4 (from the date stated for receipt of tender)
four.2.7) Conditions for opening of tenders
Date
7 August 2024
Local time
1:00pm
Section six. Complementary information
six.1) Information about recurrence
This is a recurrent procurement: No
six.3) Additional information
Quality Management Procedures - Demonstrate you have ISO9001 accreditation on quality management or detail how your QMS meets an equivalent standard.
NOTE: To register your interest in this notice and obtain any additional information please visit the Public Contracts Scotland Web Site at https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=771649.
The buyer has indicated that it will accept electronic responses to this notice via the Postbox facility. A user guide is available at https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/sitehelp/help_guides.aspx.
Suppliers are advised to allow adequate time for uploading documents and to dispatch the electronic response well in advance of the closing time to avoid any last minute problems.
(SC Ref:771649)
Download the ESPD document here: https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/ESPD/ESPD_Download.aspx?id=771649
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
RESAS
Q Spur, Saughton House, Broomhouse Drive,
Edinburgh
EH11 3XD
Country
United Kingdom