Contract

DC-Electronic Counting for Scottish Local Government Elections 2027

  • Scottish Government

F03: Contract award notice

Notice identifier: 2025/S 000-060891

Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-04790e (view related notices)

Published 30 September 2025, 1:56pm



Section one: Contracting authority

one.1) Name and addresses

Scottish Government

5 Atlantic Quay, 150 Broomielaw

Glasgow

G2 8LU

Contact

Sophie Stark

Email

Sophie.Stark@gov.scot

Telephone

+44 412425466

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code

UKM - Scotland

Internet address(es)

Main address

http://www.scotland.gov.uk

Buyer's address

https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA10482

one.2) Information about joint procurement

The contract is awarded by a central purchasing body

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

DC-Electronic Counting for Scottish Local Government Elections 2027

Reference number

CASE/692538

two.1.2) Main CPV code

  • 72140000 - Computer hardware acceptance testing consultancy services

two.1.3) Type of contract

Services

two.1.4) Short description

The Scottish Government has a requirement to place a contract with an external service provider for the provision of Electronic Counting for Scottish Local Government Elections 2027 and by-elections up to 2032.

The services required include only those necessary to prepare for and deliver the electronic counting of votes and do not extend as far as the provision of services for the conduct of the elections themselves, which remains the responsibility of the Local Authorities.

two.1.6) Information about lots

This contract is divided into lots: No

two.1.7) Total value of the procurement (excluding VAT)

Value excluding VAT: £12,750,000

two.2) Description

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 22821000 - Electoral forms
  • 72212900 - Miscellaneous software development services and computer systems
  • 72222000 - Information systems or technology strategic review and planning services
  • 72313000 - Data capture services
  • 72500000 - Computer-related services
  • 79810000 - Printing services
  • 79820000 - Services related to printing
  • 80500000 - Training services
  • 80510000 - Specialist training services
  • 72224000 - Project management consultancy services
  • 72000000 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support
  • 79320000 - Public-opinion polling services

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UKM - Scotland

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

The Scottish Government requires a Service Provider to deliver electronic vote counting and associated services for the 2027 Scottish Local Government elections and potentially for any subsequent by-elections. The service provider will be required to deliver electronic counting of ballot papers for the proposed local elections in 2027 and potentially for any subsequent by-elections. The services required include only those necessary to prepare for and deliver the electronic counting of votes and do not extend as far as the provision of services for the conduct of the elections themselves, which remains the responsibility of the Local Authorities.

The next elections to Scottish Local Authorities are due to take place on 6 May 2027, with the Count expected to take place on Friday 7th May.

two.2.5) Award criteria

Quality criterion - Name: Project Management / Weighting: 10%

Quality criterion - Name: Ballot Papers, Postal Vote Packs, and other Printed Materials / Weighting: 15%

Quality criterion - Name: Security (M) / Weighting: 10%

Quality criterion - Name: System Requirements (M) / Weighting: 25%

Quality criterion - Name: Elections / Weighting: 15%

Quality criterion - Name: Skills & Resources / Weighting: 15%

Quality criterion - Name: Sustainability and Community Benefits / Weighting: 5%

Quality criterion - Name: Fair Work First / Weighting: 5%

Price - Weighting: 20

two.2.11) Information about options

Options: Yes

Description of options

Optional services may include:

Additional Equipment;

Additional Staff;

By-Elections;

Pilots for different technology relating to eCounting;

and

any other changes arising from changes to policy or legislation.

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

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: 2025/S 000-011663


Section five. Award of contract

Contract No

CASE/692538

A contract/lot is awarded: Yes

five.2) Award of contract

five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract

19 September 2025

five.2.2) Information about tenders

Number of tenders received: 1

Number of tenders received from SMEs: 0

Number of tenders received from tenderers from other EU Member States: 0

Number of tenders received from tenderers from non-EU Member States: 1

Number of tenders received by electronic means: 1

The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

CGI IT UK LIMITED

20 Fenchurch Street, 14th Floor

London

EC3M 3BY

Telephone

+44 7895309752

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UK - United Kingdom
The contractor is an SME

No

five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)

Total value of the contract/lot: £12,750,000

five.2.5) Information about subcontracting

The contract is likely to be subcontracted

Value or proportion likely to be subcontracted to third parties

Proportion: 40 %

Short description of the part of the contract to be subcontracted

25% - Software & elections operations / management

13% - Hardware & Logistics

2% - Training services


Section six. Complementary information

six.3) Additional information

The commitment has been made by the contractor, as part of a package of Fair Work Practices, to pay staff involved with the delivery of this contract the rate the real Living Wage, the rate set independently and updated annually by the Living Wage Foundation.

A commitment has also been made to deliver the following sustainable benefits:

Social:

1. eCounting education packs

2. Democracy and Technology Q&A

3. Election week talks

4. Work experience and Internship (two places for S4-S6)

Economic

1. Hire two graduates to work on the eCounting contract

2. Hire one apprentice who will work on the eCounting contract Use local SMEs throughout the contract

Environmental

1. 3 litter picks per year in collaboration with the Authority and Clients Scottish Government - Path to Zero pledge

The contract value stated represents the maximum anticipated spend over the entire duration of the contract. It does not constitute a fixed price or guaranteed expenditure. Actual spend will be determined by the volume and nature of services required and delivered under the contract.

(SC Ref:811542)

six.4) Procedures for review

six.4.1) Review body

Edinburgh Sheriff Court and Justice of the Peace Court

27 Chambers Street

Edinburgh

EH1 1LB

Country

United Kingdom