Tender

Framework Agreement for the Provision of Employability Services

  • The Highland Council

F02: Contract notice

Notice identifier: 2025/S 000-069143

Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-05d5b1

Published 28 October 2025, 4:59pm



Section one: Contracting authority

one.1) Name and addresses

The Highland Council

Glenurquhart Road

Inverness

IV3 5NX

Email

cpssprocurement@aberdeencity.gov.uk

Telephone

+44 1467530600

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code

UKM6 - Highlands and Islands

Internet address(es)

Main address

http://www.highland.gov.uk

Buyer's address

https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA00045

one.3) Communication

The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at

www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk

Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address

Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted electronically via

www.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

Framework Agreement for the Provision of Employability Services

two.1.2) Main CPV code

  • 80000000 - Education and training services

two.1.3) Type of contract

Services

two.1.4) Short description

The creation of an Employability Support Services Framework aims to provide the flexibility to create innovative solutions to address the distinct economic challenges within Highland communities. Please refer to the ITT documents for full details.

two.1.6) Information about lots

This contract is divided into lots: No

two.2) Description

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UKM6 - Highlands and Islands

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

A number of key policy drivers influence the design and delivery of Employability Services across the Highlands. The creation of an Employability Support Services Framework aims to provide the flexibility to create innovative solutions to address the distinct economic challenges within Highland communities. Please refer to the ITT documentation for the full details.

two.2.5) Award criteria

Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents

two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system

Duration in months

48

This contract is subject to renewal

Yes

Description of renewals

24 months initially, with an option to extend for a further 24 months - please see documentation for further information.

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

Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents

three.1.3) Technical and professional ability

Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents


Section four. Procedure

four.1) Description

four.1.1) Type of procedure

Open procedure

four.1.3) Information about a framework agreement or a dynamic purchasing system

The procurement involves the establishment of a framework agreement

Framework agreement with several operators

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

27 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

Tender must be valid until: 27 November 2025

four.2.7) Conditions for opening of tenders

Date

27 November 2025

Local time

12:00pm


Section six. Complementary information

six.1) Information about recurrence

This is a recurrent procurement: No

six.3) Additional information

NOTE: To register your interest in this notice and obtain any additional information please visit the Public Contracts Scotland Web Site at https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=814143.

The buyer has indicated that it will accept electronic responses to this notice via the Postbox facility. A user guide is available at https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/sitehelp/help_guides.aspx.

Suppliers are advised to allow adequate time for uploading documents and to dispatch the electronic response well in advance of the closing time to avoid any last minute problems.

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 see the ITT documentation for details.

(SC Ref:814143)

six.4) Procedures for review

six.4.1) Review body

Inverness Sheriff Court

Longman Road

Inverness

IV1 1AH

Country

United Kingdom