Award

Independent investigation into higher education institution

SCOTTISH FUNDING COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

10 Oct 2025 at 15:28

Summary of the contracting process

The Scottish Funding Council, as the contracting authority, initiated a tender for a service contract titled "Independent investigation into higher education institution". This project focuses on legal advisory and information services within the education industry, specifically to address financial challenges faced by a higher education institution. The procurement process reached the award stage under extreme urgency due to unforeseen events, utilising a limited procurement method without a prior call for competition. The contract, valued at £423,000, was signed on 14th April 2025, with BDO LLP being the awarded supplier. All services are to be conducted within the UKM region, aligning with classification under CPV codes such as investigation services and financial consultancy services.

This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses specialising in legal, financial consultancy, or investigative services, particularly those capable of responding swiftly to urgent demands. Large enterprises familiar with complex investigations and advisory services could leverage this opportunity to showcase their expertise, especially if they are adept at navigating time-sensitive contracts. Although reserved under a limited procedure, the context suggests readiness and flexibility in service delivery are vital attributes for successful engagement in similar future opportunities.

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Notice Title

Independent investigation into higher education institution

Notice Description

An independent investigation to determine the causes and contributing factors to the deterioration of a higher education institution's financial position.

Lot Information

Lot 1

An independent investigation to determine the causes and contributing factors to the deterioration of the higher education institution's financial position.

Procurement Information

The award was required due to an urgent requirement for these services. This was brought about by a quickly developing and changing situation at the higher education institution. Further time pressure was been caused due an unsuccessful competition for these services in which 0 tenders were returned. (NB this was a competition under a Framework). SFC was therefore in a position where they need to appoint a provider urgently.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05ad29
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/064348-2025
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Limited
Procurement Method Details
Award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

66 - Financial and insurance services

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


CPV Codes

66171000 - Financial consultancy services

79140000 - Legal advisory and information services

79720000 - Investigation services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£423,000 £100K-£500K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
10 Oct 20254 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
13 Apr 202510 months ago
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
SCOTTISH FUNDING COUNCIL
Contact Name
Stephen Connor
Contact Email
sconnor@sfc.ac.uk
Contact Phone
+44 1313136500

Buyer Location

Locality
EDINBURGH
Postcode
EH12 5HD
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
City Centre
Westminster Constituency
Edinburgh West

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

BDO

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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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.

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