Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
APUC Limited
Unit 27, Stirling Business Centre, Wellgreen
Stirling
FK8 2DZ
Contact
Graeme Kerr
Telephone
+44 1314428930
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=AA10402
one.2) Information about joint procurement
The contract is awarded by a central purchasing body
one.3) Communication
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at
https://www.publictendersscotland.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk
Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address
Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted electronically via
https://www.publictendersscotland.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Body governed by public law
one.5) Main activity
Education
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
Executive and Senior Specialist Search and Associated Recruitment Services
Reference number
PFB1048 AP
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 79600000 - Recruitment services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
The Authority is seeking Contractor(s) for the provision of Executive and Senior Specialist Search and Associated Recruitment Services to the higher education (HE) institutions and further education (FE) institutions (and affiliated bodies) in Scotland. A list of the Institutions can be found in Appendix E. In addition, the following purchasing consortia and their respective members have agreed in principle to participate in the Framework Agreement:
London Universities Purchasing Consortium and its members (LUPC) – Lots 3, 5 and 6 only
North Western Universities Purchasing Consortium and its members (NWUPC)
Southern Universities Purchasing Consortium its members (SUPC) – Lot 6 only
NHS National Procurement and its members
Healthcare Improvement Scotland
NHS Education for Scotland
NHS Golden Jubilee
NHS24
Scotland Excel and its members
Scottish Ambulance Service
Scottish Government
The State Hospitals Board for Scotland
The framework agreement will be available for use by the Scottish Ministers (including Agencies), Scottish Non-Departmental Public Bodies, offices in the Scottish Administration which are not ministerial offices, cross-border public authorities within the meaning of section 88(5) of the Scotland Act 1998, The Office for the Secretary of State for Scotland, the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body, councils constituted under section 2 of the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994, , bodies registered as social landlords under the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001, Scottish health boards or special health boards, Student Loans Company Limited, the Commissioner of Northern Lighthouse operating as the Northern Lighthouse Board, Scottish Futures Trust, Equality and Human Rights Commission, Business Stream Ltd, the Business Gateway National Unit at the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, further or higher education institutions being fundable bodies within the meaning of section 6 of the further and Higher Education (Scotland) Act 2005, any public body established by or under the Scotland Act 1998 or any Act of the Scottish Parliament, any association of or formed by one or more of the foregoing, bodies financed wholly or mainly by one or more of the foregoing, bodies subject to management supervision by one or more of the foregoing and bodies more than half of the board of directors or members of which, or, in the case of a group of individuals, more than half of those individuals, being appointed by one or more of the foregoing. In addition to the contracting authorities listed, the framework agreement will be available to charities entered on the Scottish Charity Register and voluntary organisations entered on the Membership Database of the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations.
Information about agencies of the Scottish Ministers, Scottish Non-Departmental Public Bodies and offices in the Scottish Administration which are not ministerial offices are listed at
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Government/public-bodies/about/Bodies
Overview of the governance structure of public procurement for Scotland, including the Public Procurement Group.
https://www.gov.scot/publications/public-procurement-governance/
two.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT: £12,000,000
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: Yes
Tenders may be submitted for all lots
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
Recruitment related services
Lot No
1
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 79600000 - Recruitment services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UK - United Kingdom
Main site or place of performance
UK
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
This lot is for recruitment related services to support the recruitment activities of the institutions. The activities that may be included would be:
Succession planning
Board reviews
Salary and remuneration benchmarking
Skills audit
Candidate market scoping
Panel training
Unconscious bias training
Access to Recruitment Technology.
The pricing for this would be on an hourly, half day and day rate basis however fixed fees may be agreed on call off for a prescribed piece of work before this work is conducted.
The Authority is seeking to appoint a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 6 Contractors to service this lot.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion - Name: Technical / Weighting: 60%
Price - Weighting: 40%
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months
36
This contract is subject to renewal
Yes
Description of renewals
The Authority reserves the right to extend the Framework Agreement for a period of up to 12 months subject to satisfactory performance and continued Institutions requirements
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
two.2.14) 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
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
Executive Search – North
Lot No
2
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 79600000 - Recruitment services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UK - United Kingdom
Main site or place of performance
UK North
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
This Lot relates to the provision of search and selection services for executive roles based in Scotland and the areas represented by NWUPC, including Northern Ireland. The Contractor shall be responsible for identifying, assessing, and presenting suitably qualified candidates in accordance with the Authority’s requirements.
The Authority is seeking to appoint a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 6 Contractors to service this Lot.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion - Name: Technical / Weighting: 60%
Price - Weighting: 40%
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months
36
This contract is subject to renewal
Yes
Description of renewals
The Authority reserves the right to extend the Framework Agreement for a period of up to 12 months subject to satisfactory performance and continued Institutions requirements
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
two.2.14) 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.
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
Executive Search - South
Lot No
3
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 79600000 - Recruitment services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UK - United Kingdom
Main site or place of performance
UK South
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
This Lot relates to the provision of search and selection services for executive roles based in England and the areas represented by LUPC. The Contractor shall be responsible for identifying, assessing, and presenting suitably qualified candidates in accordance with the Authority’s requirements.
The Authority is seeking to appoint a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 6 Contractors to service this Lot.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion - Name: Technical / Weighting: 60%
Price - Weighting: 40%
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months
36
This contract is subject to renewal
Yes
Description of renewals
The Authority reserves the right to extend the Framework Agreement for a period of up to 12 months subject to satisfactory performance and continued Institutions requirements
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
two.2.14) 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
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
Senior Specialist Search – North
Lot No
4
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 79600000 - Recruitment services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UK - United Kingdom
Main site or place of performance
UK North
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
This lot is for the search and selection of highly qualified candidates for senior specialist level roles based in Scotland and the areas represented by NWUPC, including Northern Ireland. The Contractor shall be responsible for identifying, assessing, and presenting suitably qualified candidates in accordance with the Authority’s requirements.
The Authority is seeking to appoint a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 6 Contractors to service each of these lots.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion - Name: Technical / Weighting: 60%
Price - Weighting: 40%
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months
36
This contract is subject to renewal
Yes
Description of renewals
The Authority reserves the right to extend the Framework Agreement for a period of up to 12 months subject to satisfactory performance and continued Institutions requirements
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
two.2.14) 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
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
Senior Specialist Search – South
Lot No
5
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 79600000 - Recruitment services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UK - United Kingdom
Main site or place of performance
UK South
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
This lot is for the search and selection of highly qualified candidates for senior specialist level roles based in England and the areas represented by LUPC. The Contractor shall be responsible for identifying, assessing, and presenting suitably qualified candidates in accordance with the Authority’s requirements.
The Authority is seeking to appoint a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 6 Contractors to service each of these lots.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion - Name: Technical / Weighting: 60%
Price - Weighting: 40%
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months
36
This contract is subject to renewal
Yes
Description of renewals
The Authority reserves the right to extend the Framework Agreement for a period of up to 12 months subject to satisfactory performance and continued Institutions requirements
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
two.2.14) 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
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
Chairs of Court and members of governing committees and boards
Lot No
6
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 79600000 - Recruitment services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UK - United Kingdom
Main site or place of performance
UK
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
This lot is for the search and selection of highly qualified candidates for Chairs and members of governing committees and board roles based in the UK.
The Authority is seeking to appoint a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 6 Contractors to service each of these lots.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion - Name: Technical / Weighting: 60%
Price - Weighting: 40%
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months
36
This contract is subject to renewal
Yes
Description of renewals
The Authority reserves the right to extend the Framework Agreement for a period of up to 12 months subject to satisfactory performance and continued Institutions requirements
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
two.2.14) 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
Section three. Legal, economic, financial and technical information
three.1) Conditions for participation
three.1.2) Economic and financial standing
Minimum level(s) of standards possibly required
Please refer to Question 4B.5 of the SPD and Economic and Financial Standing section of the Contract Notice. Tenderers must confirm that they can provide the following supporting evidence prior to award:
Employers Liability: 5,000,000 GBP
Public Liability: 5,000,000.00 GBP
Professional Indemnity: 5,000,000.00 GBP
To demonstrate and evidence suitable economic standing, successful Contractors will be required to provide 2 years audited accounts, or equivalent if awarded to the Framework Agreement. Alternatively, if the Contractor is unable to provide the required accounting information, e.g. due to being a new business, then they will be required to provide a banker's letter demonstrating their willingness to the support the Contractor's organisation over the term of the framework agreement.
Please refer to 4B.6 of the SPD
three.1.3) Technical and professional ability
Minimum level(s) of standards possibly required
Tenderers must confirm they have (or have access to) the relevant supply chain management and tracking systems to ensure a resilient and sustainable supply chain. This includes confirmation that they have the systems in place to pay subcontractors through the supply chain promptly (i.e. no later than30 days after the invoice (or similar claim) relating to the payment is presented) and effectively, and provide evidence when requested of:
a) their standard payment terms
b) ≥95% of all supply chain invoices being paid on time (in accordance with the terms of contract) in the last financial year.
If the bidder is unable to confirm (b) they must provide an improvement plan, signed by their Director, which improves the payment performance.
three.2) Conditions related to the contract
three.2.2) Contract performance conditions
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: http://ucsp.ac.uk.
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
Framework agreement with several operators
Envisaged maximum number of participants to the framework agreement: 36
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: 2025/S 000-067001
four.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate
Date
13 April 2026
Local time
2:00pm
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: 6 (from the date stated for receipt of tender)
four.2.7) Conditions for opening of tenders
Date
13 April 2026
Local time
3:00pm
Section six. Complementary information
six.1) Information about recurrence
This is a recurrent procurement: Yes
Estimated timing for further notices to be published: June 2030
six.2) Information about electronic workflows
Electronic ordering will be used
Electronic invoicing will be accepted
Electronic payment will be used
six.3) 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.
The following should be submitted prior to award. It is for information only and will not be scored.
Form of Tender
Please confirm that you will be in a position to submit prior to award “Appendix A – Form of Tender” in the Technical Questionnaire in
PCS-Tender.
Freedom of Information
Please confirm that you will be in a position to submit prior to award “Appendix B – Freedom of Information” if applicable in the
Technical Questionnaire in PCS-Tender.
Sustain Supply Chain Code of Conduct
Please confirm that you will be in a position to submit prior to award “Appendix D – Sustain Supply Chain Code of Conduct” in the
Technical Questionnaire in PCS-Tender.
For Information only
List of Institutions - Appendix E
The buyer is using PCS-Tender to conduct this ITT exercise. The Project code is 31279. 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/
A summary of the expected community benefits has been provided as follows:
Leadership and governance career‑pathway awareness sessions
Executive‑level mentoring or coaching for emerging leaders
Support for return to leadership or senior‑career returner programmes
Mock interviews and application support for senior or specialist roles
Pro bono strategic recruitment advice (succession planning, senior hiring, workforce strategy)
Workshops on inclusive executive recruitment and reducing bias at senior levels
Access to leadership, governance, and strategic HR eLearning modules
Guest lectures or talks on public‑sector leadership and senior career development
Diversity and inclusion initiatives focused on leadership representation
Volunteering or pro bono support for boards, charities, or governance groups
(SC Ref:824413)
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
Sheriff Court House
Viewfield Place
Stirling
FK8 1NH
Country
United Kingdom