Tender

FTS050 Data Protection Services Framework

HIGHLANDS AND ISLANDS ENTERPRISE

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

19 Dec 2025 at 16:00

Summary of the contracting process

The "FTS050 Data Protection Services Framework" is a public procurement process conducted by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) for business and management consultancy services. Situated in Inverness, the framework targets services including data protection advice and risk assessments in support of the General Data Protection Regulation and the Data Protection Act 2018. The procurement is currently at the 'tender' stage with the eventual framework intended to commence on 8 April 2026 for a period of three years, extendable by up to one year. The tender seeks electronic submissions, with a deadline set for 9 February 2026. The framework is valued at GBP 287,000, excluding VAT, and encompasses multiple regional authorities such as Wave Energy Scotland and South of Scotland Enterprise, located in various UK regions. The procurement method employed is an open procedure, enabling transparency and broad participation.

This tender poses significant opportunities for businesses specialising in data protection, compliance, and consultancy services. Companies with expertise in delivering Data Protection Officer duties, handling data protection impact assessments, and fulfilling compliance requirements under UK legislation stand well-positioned to benefit. With substantial emphasis on quality and price, potential suppliers must demonstrate strong capabilities in management, continuity, and fair work practices. Furthermore, businesses capable of adapting to regulatory changes and offering comprehensive frameworks for data protection can leverage this opportunity to expand their service offerings, particularly in supporting regional agencies such as HIE and associated bodies within the Scottish region. The contract outlines the potential for growth and collaboration across multiple public institutions, making it particularly suitable for firms that are prepared to provide scalable and adaptable data protection solutions.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

FTS050 Data Protection Services Framework

Notice Description

HIE requires a suitably qualified and experienced supplier to provide provide data protection services, including fulfilling Data Protection Officer duties under the General Data Protection Regulation and supporting the Data Protection Act 2018 including delivery of data protection advice, risk assessment and training. This Framework is being procured for Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and on behalf of Wave Energy Scotland (WES), Orkney Research Innovation Campus (ORIC), HIE Orkney, HIE Ventures Ltd (HIEVL), Cairngorm Mountain (Scotland) Ltd (CMSL), South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE) as well as any other Contracting Authority wholly or partly under the control of, and/or partly or wholly owned HIE or SOSE, at any point during the term of this Framework (subject to case-by-case approval by HIE). It is expected that these services will be required from 8 April 2026 for an initial period of 3 years, unless terminated in accordance with the provisions of the Framework agreement, with HIE having the option to extend for a period or periods together not exceeding 1 year following the Initial Term. The 3-year budget currently available to deliver this service is between GBP 171,000 and GBP 216,000 (excluding VAT).

Lot Information

Lot 1

Objective 1 - Role of Data Protection Officer (DPO) as specified in the General Data Protection Regulations and in support of Data Protection Act 2018 Objective 2 - Monitor and remedy noncompliance and support personal data breach resolution Objective 3 - Organisational Compliance with Data Protection Legislation Objective 4 - Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) process including advice and support Objective 5 - Reporting and monitoring Additional information: Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in Regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015.

Options: HIE reserves the right, on giving reasonable written notice from time to time, to require changes to the Services (whether by way of the removal of Services, the addition of new Services, or increasing or decreasing the Services or specifying the order in which the Services are to be performed or the locations where the Services are to be provided). HIE shall not require any such change other than where it is permitted by Regulation 72 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015. The Framework/Call-off Contracts may be modified for reasons including but not limited to: -Changes to budget availability -Organisation/s bringing the services in-house fully or partially and so the services are no longer required / reduced services are required -The addition of similar services -Increasing the volume of the services -Change in legislative requirements resulting in increased or reduced service In these situations, for the call-off contracts, HIE will agree a price variation based on the pricing submitted as part of your bid, for example, using the hourly rate to increase/reduce the services by a number of hours. Other framework users may also modify their relevant call-off contracts.

Renewal: The contract will be awarded for an initial period of 3 years, unless terminated in accordance with the provisions of the Framework agreement, with HIE having the option to extend for a period or periods together not exceeding 1 year following the Initial Term.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05fac3
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/085069-2025
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
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

72 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

75 - Administration, defence and social security services

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


CPV Codes

72300000 - Data services

75111200 - Legislative services

79212000 - Auditing services

79410000 - Business and management consultancy services

79411100 - Business development consultancy services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£287,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
£287,000 £100K-£500K
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
19 Dec 20251 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
9 Feb 20262 months to go
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
HIE reserves the right to re-tender for these services upon termination or at the end of the contract, including any extension period.

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
HIGHLANDS AND ISLANDS ENTERPRISE
Additional Buyers

CAIRNGORM MOUNTAIN (SCOTLAND) LTD

HIE ORKNEY

HIE VENTURES LTD.

ORKNEY RESEARCH AND INNOVATION CAMPUS LLP

SOUTH OF SCOTLAND ENTERPRISE

WAVE ENERGY SCOTLAND LIMITED

Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
enquiries@hient.co.uk, enquiries@orkneycampus.co.uk, finance@sose.scot, hieprocurement@hient.co.uk, info@caingormmountain.co.uk, wesprocurement@hient.co.uk
Contact Phone
+44 1463245245, +44 1479861261, +44 1750535901, +44 463713755

Buyer Location

Locality
INVERNESS
Postcode
IV2 5NA
Post Town
Inverness
Country
Scotland

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLM Scotland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLM2 Highlands and Islands
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLM20 Highlands and Islands
Delivery Location
TLM Scotland

Local Authority
Highland
Electoral Ward
Nairn and Cawdor
Westminster Constituency
Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey

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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