Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
Scottish Government
5 Atlantic Quay, 150 Broomielaw
Glasgow
G2 8LU
Contact
Sophie Stark
Telephone
+44 412425466
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=AA10482
one.2) Information about joint procurement
The contract is awarded by a central purchasing body
one.3) Communication
Access to the procurement documents is restricted. Further information can be obtained at
Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address
Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted electronically via
Electronic communication requires the use of tools and devices that are not generally available. Unrestricted and full direct access to these tools and devices is possible, free of charge, at
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
Ecological sampling at Scottish Offshore Wind Farms
Reference number
CASE/796997
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 73112000 - Marine research services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
The Marine Directorate (MD) has a requirement for an external provider to undertake marine sampling for a selection of target species across a range of functional groups (e.g. fish, benthic and plankton) at four offshore wind farm sites and adjacent control areas, on the east coast of Scotland. Sampling will be carried out across 3 phases: winter 2025-spring 2026 , summer 2026 and autumn 2026.
This sampling work will contribute to the ECOCHANGE Project (Consequences of Changes to Habitats and implications for a Net Gain Energy approach), led by the Scottish Government’s Marine Directorate, alongside the University of Liverpool the University of Glasgow SUERC and funded by The Crown Estate’s Offshore Wind Evidence and Change programme. The samples collected through this work will be analysed through a subsequent workstream (not included in the scope of this contract) and the data will ultimately provide insight into the food web structure within the North Sea marine ecosystem and how food webs may be impacted by OWF infrastructure. Understanding this relationship is crucial with the increase in development of OWFs to reach Net Zero targets. This work will shed light on the effect of OWF infrastructure on marine biodiversity which will inform Marine Enhancement and Nature Positive policies.
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 90700000 - Environmental services
- 73112000 - Marine research services
- 03000000 - Agricultural, farming, fishing, forestry and related products
- 71354500 - Marine survey services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKM - Scotland
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
The procurement will follow an Open Procedure.
4C.4 Bidders must confirm that they will include the standard clause in all contracts used in the delivery of the requirements, ensuring payment of subcontractors at all stages of the supply chain within 30 days and include a point of contact for subcontractors to refer to in the case of payment difficulties. This will require active monitoring of payment performance and provision of evidence and reporting to the Scottish Government on a regular basis. Bidders who fail to answer “Yes” to this question will not have their tender considered further.
4C.7 Light Touch: Bidders will be required to confirm that they will employ environmental management measures that meet the following requirements: Evidence that their organisation has taken steps to build their awareness of the climate change emergency and consideration of how they will respond. This should include details of planned projects and actions to reduce the bidder’s carbon emissions.
4C.10 Bidders will be required to confirm whether they intend to sub-contract and if so, for what proportion of the contract.
Bidders must confirm that they will pay staff that are involved in the delivery of services under the contract, at least the real Living Wage. Any tenderer who answers "No" to this question will not be subject to further evaluation.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion - Name: Quality / Weighting: 70
Price - Weighting: 30
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Start date
5 January 2026
End date
31 March 2027
This contract is subject to renewal
Yes
Description of renewals
There is a maximum of 3 months optional extensions.
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.1.2) Economic and financial standing
List and brief description of selection criteria
Current Ratio of 1.2
The acceptable range for each financial ratio is:
1 April 2022: 31 March 2025
The ratio will be calculated as follows:
total current assets divided by total current liabilities.
Minimum level(s) of standards possibly required
Employer’s (Compulsory) Liability Insurance = as required by law
Public Liability Insurance = 1,000,000 (one million) GBP
Professional Risk Indemnity Insurance = 1,000,000 (one million) GBP
three.1.3) Technical and professional ability
Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents
three.2) Conditions related to the contract
three.2.3) Information about staff responsible for the performance of the contract
Obligation to indicate the names and professional qualifications of the staff assigned to performing the contract
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 000-057353
four.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate
Date
10 November 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: 6 (from the date stated for receipt of tender)
four.2.7) Conditions for opening of tenders
Date
10 November 2025
Local time
12:30pm
Section six. Complementary information
six.1) Information about recurrence
This is a recurrent procurement: No
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
Question Scoring Methodology for Award Criteria outlined in invitation to tender:
0 — Unacceptable. Nil or inadequate response. Fails to demonstrate an ability to meet the requirement.
1 — Poor. Response is partially relevant but generally poor. The response addresses some elements of the
requirement but contains insufficient/limited detail or explanation to demonstrate how the requirement will be
fulfilled.
2 — Acceptable. Response is relevant and acceptable. The response addresses a broad understanding of the
requirement but may lack details on how the requirement will be fulfilled in certain areas.
3 — Good. Response is relevant and good. The response is sufficiently detailed to demonstrate a good
understanding and provides details on how the requirements will be fulfilled.
4 — Excellent. Response is completely relevant and excellent overall.
Bidders must complete the SPD (Scotland) to demonstrate adherence to the Exclusion and Selection Criteria for this procurement.
The buyer is using PCS-Tender to conduct this ITT exercise. The Project code is 30342. 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:
Please describe how your organisation will deliver proportionate community benefits and contribute to addressing the climate emergency through the delivery of this contract. In your response you may include but are not limited to:
-Environmental impact mitigation measures, including how you will manage and reduce waste (e.g. single-use plastics, chemical preservatives, broken equipment) and minimise risks to marine habitats, animal welfare, and biosecurity.
-Approach to equipment use, including any steps to reduce reliance on single-use items, extend the life of sampling gear, or adopt more sustainable alternatives.
-Community benefit activities, such as using local vessels and personnel, offering training or outreach opportunities, or supporting community-led environmental initiatives near sampling sites.
-Innovations or improvements that enhance sustainability and promote inclusive growth, particularly in disadvantaged coastal or island communities.
(SC Ref:812759)
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
Sherrif Court House
27 Chamber Street
Edinburgh
Country
United Kingdom