Award

Provision of Best Start Foods

SOCIAL SECURITY SCOTLAND

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

18 May 2026 at 09:17

Summary of the contracting process

The procurement process for the "Provision of Best Start Foods" is overseen by Social Security Scotland, a national authority based in Dundee, UK. The contract focuses on the delivery of services categorised under "other services" (CPV code: 98390000) and is located within the UKM region. The process is currently in the Award stage, with the decision made on 18th May 2026. This tender is particularly noteworthy as it involves an extension of the current contract from 4th June 2026 to 2nd March 2027. The procurement method used was limited, specifically an award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition, justified by the need to continue vital services until a replacement contract is established by March 2027. The contract was awarded to allpay Limited, valued at GBP 336,033.81, and was signed on 27th April 2026.

This tender offers substantial opportunities for businesses involved in service provision, particularly those capable of handling payment solutions akin to the awarded supplier, allpay Limited. It presents a strategic opportunity for large companies proficient in providing prepaid card services to engage with public procurement in the social protection sector. The extension period allows businesses time to prepare offerings for the subsequent competitive process expected to take place by March 2027, aligning with Social Security Scotland's future procurement needs. This contract could serve as a crucial entry point for businesses seeking to establish or expand their footprint within the UK's public sector service provision market, especially in the delivery of critical social benefits.

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Notice Title

Provision of Best Start Foods

Notice Description

This is a voluntary ex ante transparency (VEAT) notice. This notice is to indicate that Scottish Ministers, acting through Social Security Scotland, intend to extend the current Provision of Best Start Foods contract from 04 June 2026 to 02 March 2027

Lot Information

Lot 1

This is a voluntary ex ante transparency (VEAT) notice. This notice is to indicate that Scottish Ministers, acting through Social Security Scotland, intend to extend the current Provision of Best Start Foods contract from 03 June 2026 to 02 March 2027

Options: This is not a fixed price contract therefore actual spend may vary from the value stated above.

Procurement Information

The continued provision of services under the current contract is essential to ensure that Social Security Scotland can continue to provide Best Start Foods benefit payments until a replacement contract can be put in place. A competitive process is underway to identify and put such a replacement in place, by March 2027. The extension of the current term is considered to be proportionate in the circumstances based on previous experience, and taking into account the need for a contingency to account for potential delays.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-069abe
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/045240-2026
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

98 - Other community, social and personal services


CPV Codes

98390000 - Other services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£336,033 £100K-£500K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
18 May 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
26 Apr 20261 months ago
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
SOCIAL SECURITY SCOTLAND
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
DUNDEE
Postcode
DD1 4BF
Post Town
Dundee
Country
Scotland

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLM Scotland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLM0 Eastern Scotland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLM03 Angus and Dundee City
Delivery Location
TLM Scotland

Local Authority
Dundee City
Electoral Ward
Maryfield
Westminster Constituency
Dundee Central

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

ALLPAY

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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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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