Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
University Of Edinburgh
Charles Stewart House, 9-16 Chambers Street
Edinburgh
EH1 1HT
Telephone
+44 1316502759
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UKM75 - Edinburgh, City of
Internet address(es)
Main address
Buyer's address
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA00107
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
Heart Attack Diagnosis Software Development
Reference number
EC1064
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 72212180 - Medical software development services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
Creation of software application classed as medical device.
The University of Edinburgh has developed a novel algorithm which may improve the accuracy of heart-attack diagnosis in the emergency department. A prototype of this software has been developed. The objective of this procurement is to identify a supplier to create a productionised version of this software tool, which for regulatory purposes in the UK, USA and EU would be classified as a ‘Medical Device’. Such a supplier will have exceptional competence in software development, and prior experience in creation of software classed as a ‘Medical Device’.
The supplier will be expected to (but not limited to…);
Demonstrate their prior expertise via example projects and references
Utilise modern, reliable, and maintainable programming language/s, frameworks and components to deliver the project.
Operate a quality management system in line with ISO13485 and follow any and all relevant guidance set by medical regulatory bodies in the UK, EU and USA in relation to production of software classed as a ‘medical device’
Utilise test-oriented development and design and deliver a test strategy for the development
Operate a sophisticated project management approach and transparent progress reporting and governing to maximise potential success of the project
Demonstrate how they will manage risk and uncertainty to ensure the project falls explicitly within the cost appetite
Be open to regulatory audit, if required, by a medical regulator in the UK, EU or USA; or, by a third party acting for the University for regulatory outcomes, which may include desktop review or site visit
The University anticipates awarding a Master Services Agreement to set the basis of the engagement and an initial engagement Statement of Work for the creation, testing and regulatory approval.
two.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT: £180,000
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 72212180 - Medical software development services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKM75 - Edinburgh, City of
Main site or place of performance
University of Edinburgh
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
Short summary
Creation of software application classed as medical device.
The University of Edinburgh has developed a novel algorithm which may improve the accuracy of heart-attack diagnosis in the emergency department. A prototype of this software has been developed. The objective of this procurement is to identify a supplier to create a productionised version of this software tool, which for regulatory purposes in the UK, USA and EU would be classified as a ‘Medical Device’. Such a supplier will have exceptional competence in software development, and prior experience in creation of software classed as a ‘Medical Device’.
The supplier will be expected to (but not limited to…);
Demonstrate their prior expertise via example projects and references
Utilise modern, reliable, and maintainable programming language/s, frameworks and components to deliver the project.
Operate a quality management system in line with ISO13485 and follow any and all relevant guidance set by medical regulatory bodies in the UK, EU and USA in relation to production of software classed as a ‘medical device’
Utilise test-oriented development and design and deliver a test strategy for the development
Operate a sophisticated project management approach and transparent progress reporting and governing to maximise potential success of the project
Demonstrate how they will manage risk and uncertainty to ensure the project falls explicitly within the cost appetite
Be open to regulatory audit, if required, by a medical regulator in the UK, EU or USA; or, by a third party acting for the University for regulatory outcomes, which may include desktop review or site visit
The University anticipates awarding a Master Services Agreement to set the basis of the engagement and an initial engagement Statement of Work for the creation, testing and regulatory approval.
The estimated value of the tender represents an initial cost appetite of GBP180k (including VAT) (which the University may review from time to time), with contingency for potential additional work packages over the maximum term of the agreement. The estimate does not reflect an offer or promise of business above any contract which is ultimately signed by the parties.
AI Policy;
Due to the proprietary nature of the IP in this engagement and the human-safety implications of this technology;
A.The supplier at no time will be permitted to expose or query any part of the IP the University provides to the supplier to any public facing/internet connected AI system (including but not limited to ChatGPT, Grok, Claude etc.). Any other automated system is only to be used with permission of the University and with proper transparency about how it operates and is isolated from potential data harvesting or exfiltration.
B.The supplier shall not utilise any other AI to automatically generate the code base or any substantial part of it. (i.e. ‘Vibe coding’)
C.AI must not be utilised in the core logic, the app must be deterministic
D.The supplier shall be required to undertake human code review and resilience checking in addition to any automated tools
The complete requirements are set out in the procurement documentation.
Award
The University anticipates awarding a Master Services Agreement contract with a supplier for software development services for a period of 5 years, and an initial statement of work for the development of the productionised software product and supporting this through regulatory approvals.
Variation and options
The University reserves the right to award additional work packages to the winning Tenderer via the Negotiated Procedure Without Prior Call for Competition
two.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion - Name: Technical / Weighting: 50
Price - Weighting: 50
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months
12
This contract is subject to renewal
Yes
Description of renewals
The option to extend or award for a further 1-4 years for additional deliveries, service or support
two.2.9) Information about the limits on the number of candidates to be invited
Envisaged minimum number: 3
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 four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.1) Type of procedure
Competitive procedure with negotiation
four.1.4) Information about reduction of the number of solutions or tenders during negotiation or dialogue
Recourse to staged procedure to gradually reduce the number of solutions to be discussed or tenders to be negotiated
four.1.5) Information about negotiation
The contracting authority reserves the right to award the contract on the basis of the initial tenders without conducting negotiations
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.2.3) Estimated date of dispatch of invitations to tender or to participate to selected candidates
7 November 2025
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
Tender must be valid until: 23 January 2026
Section six. Complementary information
six.1) Information about recurrence
This is a recurrent procurement: No
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 30220. 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:
If a supplier does not currently provide any community benefits in the region of Edinburgh and East Scotland, an easy way to do this is via ESES Communities. This is a website funded by the Edinburgh&South East Scotland City Region Deal, which provides a public portal of pre-vetted social projects which businesses can choose to invest in. Suppliers can submit for an opportunity and when accepted will be advertised as a backer to the project. Opportunities may consist of simple donations (e.g. for school uniforms for impoverished children) or contribution of skills (such as providing IT training for the elderly).
The website can be found at:
https://www.esescommunities.org/
(SC Ref:811219)
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
Edinburgh Sherriff Court
Edinburgh
Country
United Kingdom