Award

SPS-02183 Research and Evaluation Services

SCOTTISH PRISON SERVICE

This public procurement record has 5 releases in its history.

Award

03 Feb 2026 at 16:53

Award

02 Oct 2024 at 15:03

Tender

02 Oct 2024 at 15:00

Tender

02 Oct 2024 at 14:18

Planning

11 Mar 2024 at 11:32

Summary of the contracting process

The Scottish Prison Service (SPS), a national agency based in Edinburgh, recently completed a procurement process for a framework agreement titled "SPS-02183 Research and Evaluation Services," focusing on research services. The process utilised an open procedure to solicit bids from potential suppliers. This tender, categorised under "services," invited suppliers to contribute to various research projects such as evaluations of offender behaviour programmes. The procurement journey progressed through several stages starting from planning in March 2024, followed by a tender phase in October 2024, and culminating in the awarding of contracts in April 2025. Notable dates in this timeline included the tender submission deadline on 15th November 2024. Although the tender was initially marked as cancelled in October 2024, it eventually proceeded to completion with successful contract awards announced in early 2026.

This tender offers opportunities for business growth, particularly for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the research services sector. The framework agreement is designed to be inclusive, allowing up to six suppliers to participate, enhancing the potential for diverse business involvement. Companies specialising in research and evaluation, particularly those focusing on social studies, criminology, or public policy, could find this contract appealing. The SPS's decision to appoint multiple suppliers ensures a dynamic and competitive environment, fostering innovation and providing smaller businesses a chance to engage in government contracts. This engagement could enhance the portfolio and reputation of participating firms, opening doors for future contracts.

Find more tenders on our Open Data Platform.
How relevant is this notice?

D3 Tenders Premium

Win More Public Sector Contracts

AI-powered tender discovery, pipeline management, and market intelligence — everything you need to grow your public sector business.

Notice Title

SPS-02183 Research and Evaluation Services

Notice Description

SPS is seeking suppliers as part of a Research and Evaluation framework agreement. The SPS commissions various research and evaluation projects (e.g evaluations of offender behaviour programmes and the implementation of control and restraint policy). The duration of individual projects usually varies and is dependent on the scope of the research to be conducted. Indicatively, the duration will normally expect to be between 3 and 12 months and will be agreed prior to the start of each research project. The SPS intends to appoint a maximum of 6 suppliers to the Framework Agreement

Lot Information

Lot 1

The SPS commenced this procurement process in good faith and with the intention of awarding a contract. Following publication of the Contract Notice, an Invitation to Tender (ITT) including the Single Procurement Document (SPD) was published by SPS and made available to bidders. Tender responses were then be evaluated by the SPS in accordance with the ITT.

Renewal: An extension of 12 months

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-04472c
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/009646-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Planning, Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Planning Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services


CPV Codes

73110000 - Research services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£317,896 £100K-£500K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
3 Feb 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
15 Nov 2024Expired
Future Notice Date
31 Mar 2024Expired
Award Date
7 Apr 202510 months ago
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Cancelled
Awards Status
Active, Unsuccessful
Contracts Status
Active

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
SCOTTISH PRISON SERVICE
Contact Name
Catharine Dempsey
Contact Email
catharine.dempsey@prisons.gov.scot
Contact Phone
+44 1313303572

Buyer Location

Locality
EDINBURGH
Postcode
EH12 9DJ
Post Town
Edinburgh
Country
Scotland

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLM Scotland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLM1 East Central Scotland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLM13 City of Edinburgh
Delivery Location
TLM Scotland

Local Authority
City of Edinburgh
Electoral Ward
Drum Brae/Gyle
Westminster Constituency
Edinburgh West

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
6
Supplier Names

BLAKE STEVENSON

DR BRIEGE NUGENT

EDINBURGH INNOVATIONS

KSO RESEARCH

PROGRESSIVE PARTNERSHIP

THE DIFFLEY PARTNERSHIP

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

Download

The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts.

{
    "tag": [
        "compiled"
    ],
    "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-04472c-2026-02-03T16:53:54Z",
    "date": "2026-02-03T16:53:54Z",
    "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-04472c",
    "description": "(SC Ref:806024)",
    "initiationType": "tender",
    "tender": {
        "id": "SPS-02183",
        "legalBasis": {
            "id": "32014L0024",
            "scheme": "CELEX"
        },
        "title": "SPS-02183 Research and Evaluation Services",
        "status": "complete",
        "classification": {
            "scheme": "CPV",
            "id": "73110000",
            "description": "Research services"
        },
        "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
        "description": "SPS is seeking suppliers as part of a Research and Evaluation framework agreement. The SPS commissions various research and evaluation projects (e.g evaluations of offender behaviour programmes and the implementation of control and restraint policy). The duration of individual projects usually varies and is dependent on the scope of the research to be conducted. Indicatively, the duration will normally expect to be between 3 and 12 months and will be agreed prior to the start of each research project. The SPS intends to appoint a maximum of 6 suppliers to the Framework Agreement",
        "lots": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "description": "The SPS commenced this procurement process in good faith and with the intention of awarding a contract. Following publication of the Contract Notice, an Invitation to Tender (ITT) including the Single Procurement Document (SPD) was published by SPS and made available to bidders. Tender responses were then be evaluated by the SPS in accordance with the ITT.",
                "status": "cancelled",
                "awardCriteria": {
                    "criteria": [
                        {
                            "name": "Technical",
                            "type": "quality",
                            "description": "60"
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "price",
                            "description": "40"
                        },
                        {
                            "name": "Technical",
                            "type": "quality",
                            "description": "60"
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "price",
                            "description": "40"
                        },
                        {
                            "name": "Technical",
                            "type": "quality",
                            "description": "60"
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "price",
                            "description": "40"
                        },
                        {
                            "name": "Technical",
                            "type": "quality",
                            "description": "60"
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "price",
                            "description": "40"
                        }
                    ]
                },
                "contractPeriod": {
                    "durationInDays": 1080
                },
                "hasRenewal": true,
                "renewal": {
                    "description": "An extension of 12 months"
                },
                "submissionTerms": {
                    "variantPolicy": "notAllowed"
                },
                "hasOptions": false
            }
        ],
        "items": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "deliveryAddresses": [
                    {
                        "region": "UKM"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "UKM"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "UKM"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "UKM"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "UKM"
                    }
                ],
                "relatedLot": "1"
            }
        ],
        "communication": {
            "futureNoticeDate": "2024-04-01T00:00:00+01:00"
        },
        "coveredBy": [
            "GPA"
        ],
        "submissionMethod": [
            "electronicSubmission"
        ],
        "submissionMethodDetails": "https://www.publictendersscotland.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/",
        "procurementMethod": "open",
        "procurementMethodDetails": "Open procedure",
        "tenderPeriod": {
            "endDate": "2024-11-15T12:00:00Z"
        },
        "submissionTerms": {
            "languages": [
                "en"
            ],
            "bidValidityPeriod": {
                "durationInDays": 90
            }
        },
        "awardPeriod": {
            "startDate": "2024-11-15T12:00:00Z"
        },
        "bidOpening": {
            "date": "2024-11-15T12:00:00Z"
        },
        "hasRecurrence": false,
        "documents": [
            {
                "id": "economic",
                "documentType": "economicSelectionCriteria"
            },
            {
                "id": "technical",
                "documentType": "technicalSelectionCriteria"
            }
        ],
        "techniques": {
            "hasFrameworkAgreement": true,
            "frameworkAgreement": {
                "maximumParticipants": 6
            }
        }
    },
    "parties": [
        {
            "id": "GB-FTS-68977",
            "name": "Scottish Prison Service",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "Scottish Prison Service"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "One Lochside, 1 Lochside Avenue",
                "locality": "Edinburgh",
                "region": "UKM75",
                "postalCode": "EH12 9DJ",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "name": "Catharine Dempsey",
                "telephone": "+44 1313303572",
                "email": "catharine.dempsey@prisons.gov.scot",
                "url": "https://www.publictendersscotland.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer"
            ],
            "details": {
                "url": "http://www.sps.gov.uk",
                "buyerProfile": "https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA00384",
                "classifications": [
                    {
                        "id": "NATIONAL_AGENCY",
                        "scheme": "TED_CA_TYPE",
                        "description": "National or federal agency/office"
                    },
                    {
                        "id": "03",
                        "scheme": "COFOG",
                        "description": "Public order and safety"
                    }
                ]
            }
        },
        {
            "id": "GB-FTS-83196",
            "name": "Edinburgh Sheriff Court",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "Edinburgh Sheriff Court"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Chalmers Street",
                "locality": "Edinburgh",
                "postalCode": "EH1 1LB",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom"
            },
            "roles": [
                "reviewBody"
            ],
            "details": {
                "url": "http://www.scotcourts.gov.uk/the-courts/sheriff-court/find-a-court"
            }
        },
        {
            "id": "GB-FTS-173417",
            "name": "Blake Stevenson Ltd",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "Blake Stevenson Ltd"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "22 Stafford Street",
                "locality": "EDINBURGH",
                "region": "UK",
                "postalCode": "EH3 7BD",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom"
            },
            "roles": [
                "supplier"
            ],
            "details": {
                "scale": "sme"
            }
        },
        {
            "id": "GB-FTS-173418",
            "name": "Dr Briege Nugent",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "Dr Briege Nugent"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "87/2 Gilmore Place",
                "locality": "Edinburgh",
                "region": "UKM75",
                "postalCode": "EH3 9NU",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom"
            },
            "roles": [
                "supplier"
            ],
            "details": {
                "scale": "sme"
            }
        },
        {
            "id": "GB-FTS-82556",
            "name": "The Diffley Partnership",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "The Diffley Partnership"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "2nd Floor, Prospect House, 5 Thistle Street",
                "locality": "Edinburgh",
                "region": "UKM75",
                "postalCode": "EH2 1DF",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom"
            },
            "roles": [
                "supplier"
            ],
            "details": {
                "scale": "sme"
            }
        },
        {
            "id": "GB-FTS-79605",
            "name": "Edinburgh Innovations",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "Edinburgh Innovations"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "10 Max Born Crescent Murchison House, King's Building",
                "locality": "Edinburgh",
                "region": "UKM75",
                "postalCode": "EH9 3BF",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom"
            },
            "roles": [
                "supplier"
            ],
            "details": {
                "scale": "sme"
            }
        },
        {
            "id": "GB-FTS-146098",
            "name": "KSO Research Limited",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "KSO Research Limited"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "42 Montgomery Street, Eaglesham",
                "locality": "Glasgow",
                "region": "UKM83",
                "postalCode": "G76 0AS",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom"
            },
            "roles": [
                "supplier"
            ],
            "details": {
                "scale": "sme"
            }
        },
        {
            "id": "GB-FTS-173419",
            "name": "Progressive Partnership",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "Progressive Partnership"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Suite 85, Pure Offices, 4-5 Lochside Way",
                "locality": "Edinburgh",
                "region": "UKM",
                "postalCode": "EH12 9DT",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom"
            },
            "roles": [
                "supplier"
            ],
            "details": {
                "scale": "sme"
            }
        }
    ],
    "buyer": {
        "id": "GB-FTS-68977",
        "name": "Scottish Prison Service"
    },
    "links": [
        {
            "rel": "canonical",
            "href": "https://api.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/v1/Notice?id=ocds-r6ebe6-0000757858"
        },
        {
            "rel": "canonical",
            "href": "https://api.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/v1/Notice?id=ocds-r6ebe6-0000757858"
        },
        {
            "rel": "canonical",
            "href": "https://api.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/v1/Notice?id=ocds-r6ebe6-0000779526"
        },
        {
            "rel": "canonical",
            "href": "https://api.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/v1/Notice?id=ocds-r6ebe6-0000779226"
        },
        {
            "rel": "canonical",
            "href": "https://api.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/v1/Notice?id=ocds-r6ebe6-0000779526"
        }
    ],
    "language": "en",
    "awards": [
        {
            "id": "031579-2024-SPS-02183-1",
            "relatedLots": [
                "1"
            ],
            "status": "unsuccessful",
            "statusDetails": "discontinued"
        },
        {
            "id": "009646-2026-SPS-02183A Research and Evaluation Services-1",
            "relatedLots": [
                "1"
            ],
            "status": "active",
            "suppliers": [
                {
                    "id": "GB-FTS-173417",
                    "name": "Blake Stevenson Ltd"
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "id": "009646-2026-SPS-02183B Research and Evaluation Services-2",
            "relatedLots": [
                "1"
            ],
            "status": "active",
            "suppliers": [
                {
                    "id": "GB-FTS-173418",
                    "name": "Dr Briege Nugent"
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "id": "009646-2026-SPS-02183C Research and Evaluation Services-3",
            "relatedLots": [
                "1"
            ],
            "status": "active",
            "suppliers": [
                {
                    "id": "GB-FTS-82556",
                    "name": "The Diffley Partnership"
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "id": "009646-2026-SPS-02183D Research and Evaluation Services-4",
            "relatedLots": [
                "1"
            ],
            "status": "active",
            "suppliers": [
                {
                    "id": "GB-FTS-79605",
                    "name": "Edinburgh Innovations"
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "id": "009646-2026-SPS-02183E Research and Evaluation Services-5",
            "relatedLots": [
                "1"
            ],
            "status": "active",
            "suppliers": [
                {
                    "id": "GB-FTS-146098",
                    "name": "KSO Research Limited"
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "id": "009646-2026-SPS-02183F Research and Evaluation Services-6",
            "relatedLots": [
                "1"
            ],
            "status": "active",
            "suppliers": [
                {
                    "id": "GB-FTS-173419",
                    "name": "Progressive Partnership"
                }
            ]
        }
    ],
    "contracts": [
        {
            "id": "009646-2026-SPS-02183A Research and Evaluation Services-1",
            "awardID": "009646-2026-SPS-02183A Research and Evaluation Services-1",
            "status": "active",
            "value": {
                "amount": 43975,
                "currency": "GBP"
            },
            "dateSigned": "2025-04-08T00:00:00+01:00"
        },
        {
            "id": "009646-2026-SPS-02183B Research and Evaluation Services-2",
            "awardID": "009646-2026-SPS-02183B Research and Evaluation Services-2",
            "status": "active",
            "value": {
                "amount": 51300,
                "currency": "GBP"
            },
            "dateSigned": "2025-04-10T00:00:00+01:00"
        },
        {
            "id": "009646-2026-SPS-02183C Research and Evaluation Services-3",
            "awardID": "009646-2026-SPS-02183C Research and Evaluation Services-3",
            "status": "active",
            "value": {
                "amount": 53199.31,
                "currency": "GBP"
            },
            "dateSigned": "2025-04-08T00:00:00+01:00"
        },
        {
            "id": "009646-2026-SPS-02183D Research and Evaluation Services-4",
            "awardID": "009646-2026-SPS-02183D Research and Evaluation Services-4",
            "status": "active",
            "value": {
                "amount": 83226,
                "currency": "GBP"
            },
            "dateSigned": "2025-07-31T00:00:00+01:00"
        },
        {
            "id": "009646-2026-SPS-02183E Research and Evaluation Services-5",
            "awardID": "009646-2026-SPS-02183E Research and Evaluation Services-5",
            "status": "active",
            "value": {
                "amount": 32850,
                "currency": "GBP"
            },
            "dateSigned": "2025-04-08T00:00:00+01:00"
        },
        {
            "id": "009646-2026-SPS-02183F Research and Evaluation Services-6",
            "awardID": "009646-2026-SPS-02183F Research and Evaluation Services-6",
            "status": "active",
            "value": {
                "amount": 53346.38,
                "currency": "GBP"
            },
            "dateSigned": "2025-04-08T00:00:00+01:00"
        }
    ],
    "bids": {
        "statistics": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "measure": "bids",
                "relatedLot": "1",
                "value": 13
            },
            {
                "id": "6",
                "measure": "bids",
                "relatedLot": "1",
                "value": 13
            },
            {
                "id": "11",
                "measure": "bids",
                "relatedLot": "1",
                "value": 13
            },
            {
                "id": "16",
                "measure": "bids",
                "relatedLot": "1",
                "value": 13
            },
            {
                "id": "21",
                "measure": "bids",
                "relatedLot": "1",
                "value": 13
            },
            {
                "id": "26",
                "measure": "bids",
                "relatedLot": "1",
                "value": 13
            },
            {
                "id": "2",
                "measure": "smeBids",
                "relatedLot": "1",
                "value": 13
            },
            {
                "id": "7",
                "measure": "smeBids",
                "relatedLot": "1",
                "value": 13
            },
            {
                "id": "12",
                "measure": "smeBids",
                "relatedLot": "1",
                "value": 13
            },
            {
                "id": "17",
                "measure": "smeBids",
                "relatedLot": "1",
                "value": 13
            },
            {
                "id": "22",
                "measure": "smeBids",
                "relatedLot": "1",
                "value": 13
            },
            {
                "id": "27",
                "measure": "smeBids",
                "relatedLot": "1",
                "value": 13
            },
            {
                "id": "3",
                "measure": "foreignBidsFromEU",
                "relatedLot": "1",
                "value": 0
            },
            {
                "id": "8",
                "measure": "foreignBidsFromEU",
                "relatedLot": "1",
                "value": 0
            },
            {
                "id": "13",
                "measure": "foreignBidsFromEU",
                "relatedLot": "1",
                "value": 0
            },
            {
                "id": "18",
                "measure": "foreignBidsFromEU",
                "relatedLot": "1",
                "value": 0
            },
            {
                "id": "23",
                "measure": "foreignBidsFromEU",
                "relatedLot": "1",
                "value": 0
            },
            {
                "id": "28",
                "measure": "foreignBidsFromEU",
                "relatedLot": "1",
                "value": 0
            },
            {
                "id": "4",
                "measure": "foreignBidsFromNonEU",
                "relatedLot": "1",
                "value": 13
            },
            {
                "id": "9",
                "measure": "foreignBidsFromNonEU",
                "relatedLot": "1",
                "value": 13
            },
            {
                "id": "14",
                "measure": "foreignBidsFromNonEU",
                "relatedLot": "1",
                "value": 13
            },
            {
                "id": "19",
                "measure": "foreignBidsFromNonEU",
                "relatedLot": "1",
                "value": 13
            },
            {
                "id": "24",
                "measure": "foreignBidsFromNonEU",
                "relatedLot": "1",
                "value": 13
            },
            {
                "id": "29",
                "measure": "foreignBidsFromNonEU",
                "relatedLot": "1",
                "value": 13
            },
            {
                "id": "5",
                "measure": "electronicBids",
                "relatedLot": "1",
                "value": 13
            },
            {
                "id": "10",
                "measure": "electronicBids",
                "relatedLot": "1",
                "value": 13
            },
            {
                "id": "15",
                "measure": "electronicBids",
                "relatedLot": "1",
                "value": 13
            },
            {
                "id": "20",
                "measure": "electronicBids",
                "relatedLot": "1",
                "value": 13
            },
            {
                "id": "25",
                "measure": "electronicBids",
                "relatedLot": "1",
                "value": 13
            },
            {
                "id": "30",
                "measure": "electronicBids",
                "relatedLot": "1",
                "value": 13
            }
        ]
    }
}