Tender

Independent Workplace Investigations

SCOTTISH PARLIAMENTARY CORPORATE BODY

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Tender

24 Jun 2025 at 11:30

Planning

11 Nov 2024 at 13:50

Summary of the contracting process

The Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (SPCB) is currently engaged in the tender stage of a procurement process titled "Independent Workplace Investigations." This initiative focuses on providing comprehensive investigation services under the SPCB's Sexual Harassment policy, including advice, signposting, and advocacy support. The procurement falls under the services category, specifically investigation services, and is primarily located in Scotland, UK. The tender process, following an open procedure, was initiated on 24th June 2025, with a submission deadline set for 11th July 2025. The anticipated award date is 25th July 2025, marking the progression from planning to tender and eventually to award. Interested parties must demonstrate adequate cyber security measures holding Cyber Essentials certification, and the tender highlights the inclusion of community benefits.

This procurement offers significant growth opportunities for businesses specialising in investigation services, particularly those with expertise in workplace investigations and advocacy related to sexual harassment and misconduct. Firms capable of providing a comprehensive service package that includes telephone support lines, advocacy, and disciplinary hearing assistance will find this tender well-suited to their strengths. Businesses with a strong focus on quality service delivery, possessing relevant experience and robust supply chain management, are encouraged to compete. Additionally, companies with a satisfactory financial standing and commitment to fair work practices will be particularly competitive, given the procurement's emphasis on these factors. With the potential for renewal and recurrence, participation in this tender can result in long-term engagement and stability for providers in the investigation services sector.

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

Independent Workplace Investigations

Notice Description

The Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (SPCB) requires a contractor to provide a comprehensive investigations service into complaint made under the SPCB's Sexual Harassment policy and to provide an advice signposting and advocacy support services.

Lot Information

Lot 1

The Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (SCPB) requires a comprehensive investigations service into complaint made under the SPCB's Sexual Harassment policy and to provide an advice signposting and advocacy support services. Alongside the Independent Support Service for the sexual harassment policy, the Contractor will provide a workplace investigation service to the SPCB and MSPs in their respective roles as employers.

Renewal: Up to 24 months at the sole discretion of the SPCB

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-04b57a
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/034703-2025
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Planning, Tender

Procurement Classification

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

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security


CPV Codes

79720000 - Investigation services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
24 Jun 20258 months ago
Submission Deadline
11 Jul 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
31 Jan 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
2030

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Active
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
SCOTTISH PARLIAMENTARY CORPORATE BODY
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
procurement@parliament.scot
Contact Phone
+44 1313486617

Buyer Location

Locality
EDINBURGH
Postcode
EH99 1SP
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
TLM75 City of Edinburgh

Local Authority
City of Edinburgh
Electoral Ward
City Centre
Westminster Constituency
Edinburgh East and Musselburgh

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-04b57a-2025-06-24T12:30:27+01:00",
    "date": "2025-06-24T12:30:27+01:00",
    "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-04b57a",
    "description": "The bidder must be able to meet the SPCB's minimum requirements in respect of Cyber Security for this Contract. The Cyber Risk Profile for this contract is moderate, based on the Scottish Cyber Assessment Service. At tender stage the bidder must, by means of completion of the Supplier Assurance Questionnaire (SAQ) demonstrate and maintain cyber security measures to meet a pass mark against this assessment. For assurance purposes, the SPCB requires tenderers to hold Cyber Essentials certification(or equivalent). Community Benefits are a requirement under the contract, full details are included in the tender information. The buyer is using PCS-Tender to conduct this ITT exercise. The Project code is 29542. 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: Community Benefits are a mandatory part of this contract, for full details see tender information (SC Ref:801582)",
    "initiationType": "tender",
    "tender": {
        "id": "SPCB-0478",
        "legalBasis": {
            "id": "32014L0024",
            "scheme": "CELEX"
        },
        "title": "Independent Workplace Investigations",
        "status": "active",
        "classification": {
            "scheme": "CPV",
            "id": "79720000",
            "description": "Investigation services"
        },
        "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
        "description": "The Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (SPCB) requires a contractor to provide a comprehensive investigations service into complaint made under the SPCB's Sexual Harassment policy and to provide an advice signposting and advocacy support services.",
        "lots": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "description": "The Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (SCPB) requires a comprehensive investigations service into complaint made under the SPCB's Sexual Harassment policy and to provide an advice signposting and advocacy support services. Alongside the Independent Support Service for the sexual harassment policy, the Contractor will provide a workplace investigation service to the SPCB and MSPs in their respective roles as employers.",
                "status": "active",
                "awardCriteria": {
                    "criteria": [
                        {
                            "name": "Quality",
                            "type": "quality",
                            "description": "60"
                        },
                        {
                            "name": "Price",
                            "type": "cost",
                            "description": "40"
                        }
                    ]
                },
                "contractPeriod": {
                    "durationInDays": 1080
                },
                "hasRenewal": true,
                "renewal": {
                    "description": "Up to 24 months at the sole discretion of the SPCB"
                },
                "submissionTerms": {
                    "variantPolicy": "notAllowed"
                },
                "hasOptions": false
            }
        ],
        "items": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "deliveryAddresses": [
                    {
                        "region": "UKM75"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "UK"
                    }
                ],
                "relatedLot": "1",
                "additionalClassifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "79720000",
                        "description": "Investigation services"
                    }
                ],
                "deliveryLocation": {
                    "description": "Scotland"
                }
            }
        ],
        "communication": {
            "futureNoticeDate": "2025-01-31T00:00:00Z"
        },
        "coveredBy": [
            "GPA"
        ],
        "submissionMethod": [
            "electronicSubmission"
        ],
        "submissionMethodDetails": "https://www.publictendersscotland.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk",
        "selectionCriteria": {
            "criteria": [
                {
                    "type": "suitability",
                    "description": "SPD question 4A.1 - not used SPD question 4A.2 - not used",
                    "appliesTo": [
                        "supplier"
                    ]
                },
                {
                    "type": "economic",
                    "description": "For SPD question 4A.1 - not used For SPD question 4A.2 - not used For SPD question 4B.1 to 4B.4 - not used For SPD question 4B.5 - It is a requirement of this contract that bidders hold, or can commit to obtain prior to the commencement of any subsequently awarded contract, the types and levels of insurance indicated below: Employers' Liability: 5,000,000GBP Professional Indemnity: 5,000,000GBP For SPD question 4B.6 - The Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (SPCB) uses Creditsafe, an independent provider of online business credit reports, to assess the financial standing of tenderers. We highly recommend that tenderers review their financial performance on Creditsafe to understand their credit score rating which will be used by the SPCB to evaluate the financial standing of the tenderer and that they read the information about how that data is collected and used prior to submitting a tender. Information and the opportunity to run a free report can be found at http://www.creditsafe.com/products/business-credit-reports/ The SPCB requires tenderers to have a Creditsafe Risk Score of 40 or higher to demonstrate satisfactory financial standing. If a tenderer has a lower credit risk score than 40 on Creditsafe and has the backing of a parent company with a credit risk score of 40 or higher, then the provision of a parent company guarantee will be required prior to the award of any contract. If a tenderer has a lower credit risk score than 40 and cannot provide a parent company guarantee, they must submit evidence to support a stable and improved financial standing with their tender or the tender may be rejected. If no evidence is provided with the tender or the evidence provided is not sufficient to demonstrate a satisfactory financial position to the satisfaction of the SPCB (whose decision in this regard shall be final), then the tender will be rejected and will not be evaluated further. If a tenderer is not listed on Creditsafe, for whatever reason, then it will be asked to submit equivalent accounts to enable the required assessment of financial standing to be carried out. If the information provided does not, in the SPCB's opinion, demonstrate a satisfactory financial position, the bid may be rejected.",
                    "minimum": "The SPCB requires tenderers to have a Creditsafe Risk Score of 40 or higher to demonstrate satisfactory financial standing. If a tenderer has a lower credit risk score than 40 on Creditsafe and has the backing of a parent company with a credit risk score of 40 or higher, then the provision of a parent company guarantee will be required prior to the award of any contract. If a tenderer has a lower credit risk score than 40 and cannot provide a parent company guarantee, they must submit evidence to support a stable and improved financial standing with their tender or the tender may be rejected. If no evidence is provided with the tender or the evidence provided is not sufficient to demonstrate a satisfactory financial position to the satisfaction of the SPCB (whose decision in this regard shall be final), then the tender will be rejected and will not be evaluated further. If a tenderer is not listed on Creditsafe, for whatever reason, then it will be asked to submit equivalent accounts to enable the required assessment of financial standing to be carried out. If the information provided does not, in the SPCB's opinion, demonstrate a satisfactory financial position, the bid may be rejected.",
                    "appliesTo": [
                        "supplier"
                    ]
                },
                {
                    "type": "technical",
                    "description": "For SPD question 4C.1 - Not used For SPD question 4C.1.2 - Bidders will be required to provide examples that demonstrate that they have the relevant experience to deliver the services/supplies as described in part II.2.4 of the Contract Notice or the relevant section of the Site Notice. For SPD question 4C.2 to 4C.3 - Not used For SPD question 4C4 - If bidders intend to use a supply chain to deliver the requirements detailed in the Contract Notice, they should confirm they have (or have access to) the relevant supply chain management and tracking systems to ensure a resilient and sustainable supply chain. This will include confirmation that they have the systems in place to pay subcontractors through the supply chain promptly and effectively, and provide evidence when requested of: a) their standard payment terms b) >=95% of all supply chain invoices being paid on time (in accordance with the terms of contract) in the last financial year. If the bidder is unable to confirm (b) they must provide an improvement plan, signed by their Director, which improves the payment performance. For SPD question 4C.5 to 4C.6 - Not used For SPD question 4C.7 - Bidders will be required to provide evidence that their organisation has taken steps to build their awareness of the climate change emergency and how they will respond, including knowledge of their emissions sources and actions to address these. Accepted evidence includes but not limited to: - a completed copy of the Bidder 'relevant contract' Climate Change Plan template, including planned projects and actions to reduce the bidder's carbon emissions. This does not need to contain calculated carbon emissions. Guidance on how Bidder Climate Change Plans are evaluated is available on the Sustainable Procurement Tools: Sustainable Procurement (sustainableprocurementtools.scot) For SPD question 4C.8 to 4C.9 - Not used For SPD question 4C.10 - Bidders will be required to confirm whether they intend to subcontract and, if so, for what proportion of the contract. For SPD question 4C.11 to 4C.12 -Not used",
                    "appliesTo": [
                        "supplier"
                    ]
                }
            ]
        },
        "contractTerms": {
            "performanceTerms": "In order to ensure the highest standards of service quality in this contract the SPCB requires the contractor to take a positive approach to fair work practices. Full details of all performance conditions are set out in the procurement documents",
            "hasElectronicOrdering": true,
            "electronicInvoicingPolicy": "allowed",
            "hasElectronicPayment": true
        },
        "procurementMethod": "open",
        "procurementMethodDetails": "Open procedure",
        "tenderPeriod": {
            "endDate": "2025-07-11T12:00:00+01:00"
        },
        "submissionTerms": {
            "languages": [
                "en"
            ],
            "bidValidityPeriod": {
                "durationInDays": 180
            }
        },
        "awardPeriod": {
            "startDate": "2025-07-25T14:00:00+01:00"
        },
        "bidOpening": {
            "date": "2025-07-25T14:00:00+01:00"
        },
        "hasRecurrence": true,
        "recurrence": {
            "description": "2030"
        }
    },
    "parties": [
        {
            "id": "GB-FTS-5276",
            "name": "Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "The Scottish Parliament, Procurement Services",
                "locality": "Edinburgh",
                "region": "UKM75",
                "postalCode": "EH99 1SP",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "telephone": "+44 1313486617",
                "email": "procurement@parliament.scot",
                "url": "https://www.publictendersscotland.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer",
                "centralPurchasingBody"
            ],
            "details": {
                "url": "http://www.parliament.scot",
                "buyerProfile": "https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA10284",
                "classifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "TED_CA_TYPE",
                        "description": "Devolved Parliament"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "COFOG",
                        "description": "Legislative Body"
                    }
                ]
            }
        },
        {
            "id": "GB-FTS-130343",
            "name": "THE SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "THE SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Holyrood Road",
                "locality": "EDINBURGH",
                "postalCode": "EH99 1SP",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "email": "procurement@parliament.scot"
            },
            "roles": [
                "reviewBody"
            ]
        },
        {
            "id": "GB-FTS-152265",
            "name": "Edinburgh Sheriff Court",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "Edinburgh Sheriff Court"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Sheriff Court House, 27 Chamber Street",
                "locality": "EDINBURGH",
                "postalCode": "EH1 1LB",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom"
            },
            "roles": [
                "reviewContactPoint"
            ]
        }
    ],
    "buyer": {
        "id": "GB-FTS-5276",
        "name": "Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body"
    },
    "links": [
        {
            "rel": "canonical",
            "href": "https://api.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/v1/Notice?id=ocds-r6ebe6-0000801582"
        }
    ],
    "language": "en"
}