Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
Scotland Excel
Renfrewshire House, Cotton Street
Paisley
PA1 1AR
socialcare@scotland-excel.org.uk
Telephone
+44 1414888230
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UKM83 - Inverclyde, East Renfrewshire and Renfrewshire
Internet address(es)
Main address
http://www.scotland-excel.org.uk
Buyer's address
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA10383
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
General public services
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
Employability Services
Reference number
0222
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 79611000 - Job search services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
This Contract Notice is in relation to the established national Flexible Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) for the provision of Employability Services (0222). This notice is to be used for new candidates to join the established DPS and will be continuously open throughout the lifetime of the DPS. This DPS reflects the principles set out in Regulation 76 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015 for the purpose of awarding contracts for social and other specific services, and applies the procedures set out in Regulation 35 (Dynamic Purchasing Systems) with variations.
The services to be provided include those relating to the No One Left Behind (NOLB) strategy. NOLB is a programme of transformation which aims to change the employability system in Scotland to make it more adaptable, responsive and person-centred.
The scope of services covered under the DPS include, but are not limited to:
- Employability Services including provision of pre-employment and work related education;
- Skills development;
- Training opportunities; and
- Other related support for people of all ages who are unemployed, further from the labour market to support them to move towards and into work.
There will also be support to help those who are low skilled and on low income to progress in employment.
Please note, providers already awarded to the established DPS need not re-apply.
two.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT: £80,000,000
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: Yes
The contracting authority reserves the right to award contracts combining the following lots or groups of lots:
A Council may choose to issue a call for competition (Invitation to Tender (ITT)) within a Service Category, or across multiple Service Categories, depending on the nature of their requirement. Where a Council is issuing an ITT across multiple Service Categories, this will be clearly outlined within the ITT documentation. Such an ITT would be issued to all relevant participants across the Service Categories, as identified by the Council.
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
Barrier Removal
Lot No
2
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 98200000 - Equal opportunities consultancy services
- 75110000 - General public services
- 75310000 - Benefit services
- 79634000 - Career guidance services
- 80000000 - Education and training services
- 80210000 - Technical and vocational secondary education services
- 80400000 - Adult and other education services
- 80420000 - E-learning services
- 80510000 - Specialist training services
- 80530000 - Vocational training services
- 80531100 - Industrial training services
- 80531200 - Technical training services
- 80532000 - Management training services
- 80533000 - Computer-user familiarisation and training services
- 80533100 - Computer training services
- 80570000 - Personal development training services
- 85312310 - Guidance services
- 79611000 - Job search services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKM - Scotland
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
Service Category 2 - Barrier Removal
Within each Service Category, there are 32 Geographical Service Categories, representing each of the 32 Scottish Councils. Each Candidate must identify the Geographical Service Category/ies within which it is able to provide services relative to the award of contracts
under the DPS.
For full information please refer to the Information and Instructions Document within the relevant project on PCS-T.
two.2.7) Duration of the contract or the framework agreement
Duration in months
48
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
Vocational & Accredited Activity
Lot No
3
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 98200000 - Equal opportunities consultancy services
- 75110000 - General public services
- 75310000 - Benefit services
- 79634000 - Career guidance services
- 80000000 - Education and training services
- 80210000 - Technical and vocational secondary education services
- 80400000 - Adult and other education services
- 80420000 - E-learning services
- 80510000 - Specialist training services
- 80530000 - Vocational training services
- 80531100 - Industrial training services
- 80531200 - Technical training services
- 80532000 - Management training services
- 80533000 - Computer-user familiarisation and training services
- 80570000 - Personal development training services
- 85312310 - Guidance services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKM - Scotland
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
Service Category 3 - Vocational & Accredited Activity
Within each Service Category, there are 32 Geographical Service Categories, representing each of the 32 Scottish Councils. Each Candidate must identify the Geographical Service Category/ies within which it is able to provide services relative to the award of contracts
under the DPS.
For full information please refer to the Information and Instructions Document within the relevant project on PCS-T.
two.2.7) Duration of the contract or the framework agreement
Duration in months
48
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
Employer Engagement, Advice & Support
Lot No
4
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 98200000 - Equal opportunities consultancy services
- 75310000 - Benefit services
- 79634000 - Career guidance services
- 80000000 - Education and training services
- 80210000 - Technical and vocational secondary education services
- 80400000 - Adult and other education services
- 80420000 - E-learning services
- 80510000 - Specialist training services
- 80530000 - Vocational training services
- 80531100 - Industrial training services
- 80531200 - Technical training services
- 80532000 - Management training services
- 80533000 - Computer-user familiarisation and training services
- 80533100 - Computer training services
- 80570000 - Personal development training services
- 85312310 - Guidance services
- 79611000 - Job search services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKM - Scotland
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
Service Category 4 - Employer Engagement, Advice & Support
Within each Service Category, there are 32 Geographical Service Categories, representing each of the 32 Scottish Councils. Each Candidate must identify the Geographical Service Category/ies within which it is able to provide services relative to the award of contracts
under the DPS.
For full information please refer to the Information and Instructions Document within the relevant project on PCS-T.
two.2.7) Duration of the contract or the framework agreement
Duration in months
48
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
Engagement, Assessment, Action Planning, Case Management and Progression (including end-to-end Key Worker Support)
Lot No
1
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 98200000 - Equal opportunities consultancy services
- 75110000 - General public services
- 75310000 - Benefit services
- 79634000 - Career guidance services
- 80000000 - Education and training services
- 80210000 - Technical and vocational secondary education services
- 80400000 - Adult and other education services
- 80420000 - E-learning services
- 80510000 - Specialist training services
- 80530000 - Vocational training services
- 80531100 - Industrial training services
- 80531200 - Technical training services
- 80532000 - Management training services
- 80533000 - Computer-user familiarisation and training services
- 80533100 - Computer training services
- 80570000 - Personal development training services
- 85312310 - Guidance services
- 79611000 - Job search services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKM - Scotland
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
Service Category 1-Engagement, Assessment, Action Planning, Case Management and Progression (including end-to-end Key Worker Support):
Within each Service Category, there are 32 Geographical Service Categories, representing each of the 32 Scottish Councils. Each Candidate must identify the Geographical Service Category/ies within which it is able to provide services relative to the award of contracts
under the DPS.
For full information please refer to the Information and Instructions Document within the relevant project on PCS-T.
two.2.7) Duration of the contract or the framework agreement
Duration in months
48
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.1.4) Objective rules and criteria for participation
List and brief description of rules and criteria
SPD 4B.5: Professional Indemnity: GBP2million in the aggregate, Employers Liability: GBP10million each and every claim, Public Liability: GBP5million each and every claim.
SPD 4B.6: A search of the Candidate against Equifax’s Protect will not return a Warning/Caution returnable code or any neutral code. The Candidate confirms that it can provide any other document which Scotland Excel considers appropriate to prove to Scotland Excel (acting within its permitted discretion under the applicable public procurement rules) that the Candidate does/would not present an unmanageable risk should it be appointed onto the proposed DPS.
SPD 4A.2: Where the Council requirement necessitates training/qualifications to be accredited/industry recognised, the Candidate must demonstrate that it holds suitable accreditation (or the accreditation of subcontractors) to issue such accreditations or certifications.
This section is continued in Part V1.3 Additional Information of this Contract Notice.
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.1) Form of procedure
Restricted procedure
four.2) Administrative information
four.2.1) Previous publication concerning this procedure
Notice number: 2022/S 000-004455
four.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate
Date
29 May 2026
Local time
12:00pm
four.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted
English
Section six. Complementary information
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
SPD Question 4C.1.2: With reference to the nature and details of the supplies/services that are the subject matter of this tender, relevant
examples are to be provided of the supplies/services undertaken by the applicant in the last 3 years.
SPD Question 4C.6: The Candidate must have in place documented policies and procedures demonstrating appropriate vetting of staff and
any person involved in the provision of the service in accordance with the applicable law and guidance, including the Protection of
Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007 (“staff vetting”).
SPD Question 4D.1: The Candidate MUST HOLD a UKAS (or equivalent) accredited independent third-party certificate of compliance in
accordance with BS EN ISO 9001 (or equivalent). OR A documented policy regarding quality management. The policy must set out
responsibilities for quality management demonstrating that the bidder has and continues to implement a quality management policy that is
authorised by their Chief Executive, or equivalent, and is periodically reviewed at a senior management level.
SPD Question 4D.2: The Candidate MUST HOLD a UKAS (or equivalent), accredited independent third-party certificate of compliance in
accordance with ISO 45001 or equivalent). OR A regularly reviewed and documented policy for Health and Safety (H&S) management,
endorsed by the Chief Executive Officer, or equivalent.
Full details of the requirements of this DPS available in the Procurement Documents within the relevant project on PCS-T.
Weightings for the award of Contracts for specific procurements will be evaluated within a range of 60 to 90 % Technical and 10 to 40 %
Commercial.
This Flexible Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) reflects the principles set out in Regulation 76 of the Public Contracts (Scotland)
Regulations 2015 for the purpose of awarding contracts for social and other specific services, and applies the procedures set out in
Regulation 35 (Dynamic Purchasing Systems) with variations.
Further information is contained in the relevant procurement documents.
Scotland Excel is a central purchasing body procuring this DPS on behalf of the following contracting authorities (and successor bodies):
32 local authorities in Scotland: https://home.scotland-excel.org.uk/about-us/our-members/
Scotland Excel associate members: https://home.scotland-excel.org.uk/about-us/our-members/?filter_2213=2215
Any integration authority, or other body, established pursuant to the Public bodies (Joint Working) (Scotland) Act 2014.
Any Scottish Registered Social Landlords listed on the public register of the Scottish Housing Regulator.
The above is subject to each contracting authority entering into and maintaining a membership agreement or other access agreement with
Scotland Excel.
Economic operators may be excluded from this procurement exercise if they are in any of the situations referred to in Regulation 58 of the
Public Contract (Scotland) Regulations 2015.
Councils and associate members of Scotland Excel will require information relating to subcontractors as part of their Procurement
Documents.
The buyer is using PCS-Tender to conduct this PQQ exercise. The Project code is 20477. 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:
Councils and associate members of Scotland Excel may require community benefits. Additional information will be provided in their Tender Documents.
(SC Ref:703861)
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
Court of Session
Edinburgh
EH1 1RQ
Telephone
+44 314443300
Country
United Kingdom
six.4.3) Review procedure
Precise information on deadline(s) for review procedures
An economic operator that suffers, or risks suffering, loss or damage attributable to a breach of duty under the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015 (SSI 2015/446) (as amended) may bring proceedings in the Sheriff Court or the Court of Session.