Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
The Highland Council
Glenurquhart Road
Inverness
IV3 5NX
Telephone
+44 1467530600
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UKM6 - Highlands and Islands
Internet address(es)
Main address
Buyer's address
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA00045
one.1) Name and addresses
Aberdeen City Council
Marischal College, Broad Street
Aberdeen
AB10 1AB
Telephone
+44 1463702189
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UKM50 - Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire
Internet address(es)
Main address
http://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk
Buyer's address
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA26963
one.1) Name and addresses
Aberdeenshire Council
Woodhill House, Westburn Road
Aberdeen
AB16 5GB
Telephone
+44 1463702189
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UKM50 - Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire
Internet address(es)
Main address
http://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk
Buyer's address
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA00232
one.2) Information about joint procurement
The contract involves joint procurement
one.3) Communication
Access to the procurement documents is restricted. Further information can be obtained at
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
www.publictendersscotland.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Regional or local authority
one.5) Main activity
General public services
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
Provision of Transported School Meals 2025
Reference number
HC/PFM/TSM/2025
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 60120000 - Taxi services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
The Highland Council (THC), Aberdeenshire Council (ASC) and Aberdeen City Council (ACC) are inviting tenders for Transportation of School Meals between a school with a kitchen and a school without. The Contract shall be for a 3-year period, with an option to extend by a further period of up to 12 months.
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
The Highland Council
Lot No
1
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 60120000 - Taxi services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKM6 - Highlands and Islands
Main site or place of performance
The Highlands of Scotland
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
The Highland Council require a Contractor to undertake the Transportation of Meals from a school with a kitchen to schools and nurseries that do not have Kitchen facilities to produce their own meals. The Contractor shall be required to collect the food containers from specified pickup locations and deliver them to the drop off locations by the delivery time.
As this is a collaborative procurement exercise, Tenderers will also be able to tender for Aberdeenshire & Aberdeen City Councils.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion - Name: Quality / Weighting: 40
Price - Weighting: 60
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
Option to extend for a period of up to 12 months, taking the maximum total length to 48 months.
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) Description
two.2.1) Title
Aberdeen City Council
Lot No
3
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 60120000 - Taxi services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKM50 - Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
Aberdeen City Council require a Contractor to undertake the Transportation of Meals from a school with a kitchen to schools and nurseries that do not have Kitchen facilities to produce their own meals. The Contractor shall be required to collect the food containers from specified pickup locations and deliver them to the drop off locations by the delivery time.
As this is a collaborative procurement exercise, Tenderers will also be able to tender for Aberdeenshire & The Highland Council
two.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion - Name: Quality / Weighting: 40
Price - Weighting: 60
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
Option to extend for a period of up to 12 months, taking the maximum total length to 48 months.
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) Description
two.2.1) Title
Aberdeenshire Council
Lot No
2
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 60120000 - Taxi services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKM50 - Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire
Main site or place of performance
Aberdeenshire
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
Aberdeenshire Council require a Contractor to undertake the Transportation of Meals from a school with a kitchen to schools and nurseries that do not have Kitchen facilities to produce their own meals. The Contractor shall be required to collect the food containers from specified pickup locations and deliver them to the drop off locations by the delivery time.
As this is a collaborative procurement exercise, Tenderers will also be able to tender for The Highland & Aberdeen City Councils.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion - Name: Quality / Weighting: 40
Price - Weighting: 60
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
Option to extend for a period of up to 12 months, taking the maximum total length to 48 months.
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.1.1) Suitability to pursue the professional activity, including requirements relating to enrolment on professional or trade registers
List and brief description of conditions
Drivers must have valid Driver's licence
All vehicles must be insured and have valid MOT's
three.1.2) Economic and financial standing
List and brief description of selection criteria
Credit Check:
The Council will use an independent credit scoring organisation, such as Equifax, to conduct appropriate financial probity checks.
Insurance Requirements:
Employers Liability Insurance (where applicable)
Public Liability Insurance.
Minimum level(s) of standards possibly required
Credit Check:
Tenderers must score a risk rating of low risk in order to be considered for Contract award. If the Credit Report contains a risk rating between moderate risk and very high risk, you will be given an opportunity to provide additional information which will be taken into account during the Council’s assessment.
Insurance Requirements:
- 5,000,000 GBP Employers Liability Insurance (where applicable),
- 5,000,000 GBP Public Liability Insurance.
three.1.3) Technical and professional ability
List and brief description of selection criteria
Tenderers must submit two examples of providing equivalent or similar services within the last 3 years.
Minimum level(s) of standards possibly required
two examples of providing equivalent or similar services within the last 3 years.
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.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate
Date
24 October 2025
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
24 October 2025
Local time
12:00pm
Section six. Complementary information
six.1) Information about recurrence
This is a recurrent procurement: Yes
Estimated timing for further notices to be published: 3 to 4 years from this notice date
six.2) Information about electronic workflows
Electronic invoicing will be accepted
Electronic payment will be used
six.3) Additional information
The buyer is using PCS-Tender to conduct this ITT exercise. The Project code is 30155. For more information see: http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/info/InfoCentre.aspx?ID=2343
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:
The following Community Benefits are integrated into this Contract:
- Environmental Wellbeing and measures
- Fair Work Practices Including” Real” Living Wage (including gender pay gap reporting)
- Communities, Community groups and Community support projects
- Developing the Workforce
- Job Creation through the project (Vacancy Sharing)
(SC Ref:811060)
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
Local Sherriff court
Inverness
Country
United Kingdom