Testing Services Framework Agreement

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    "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-069c72-2026-05-20T08:26:52+01:00",
    "date": "2026-05-20T08:26:52+01:00",
    "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-069c72",
    "description": "Economic operators may be excluded from this procurement exercise where any of the mandatory or discretionary exclusion grounds apply under the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015. This procurement exercise is being conducted electronically via PCS-Tender. All procurement documents, tender responses, clarifications and communications will be managed through PCS-Tender. The successful bidder(s) may be required, prior to contract award, to provide supporting declarations, certificates and other evidence confirming compliance with the SPD and tender requirements. Failure to provide satisfactory evidence may result in exclusion from the procurement process. This Framework Agreement does not guarantee any minimum volumes of business. Requirements will be called off on an as-required basis throughout the contract term. The buyer is using PCS-Tender to conduct this PQQ exercise. The Project code is 31722. For more information see: http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/info/InfoCentre.aspx?ID=2343 A sub-contract clause has been included in this contract. For more information see: http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/info/InfoCentre.aspx?ID=2363 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: Educational engagement: including STEM support activities, guest lectures, career events for local schools and colleges, or work experience opportunities. Community support: such as volunteering hours, support for local charities, or contributions to community programmes. Environmental improvements: including carbon reduction initiatives, waste minimisation actions, or participation in sustainability projects. Supply chain development: such as commitments to work with local SMEs, social enterprises, or voluntary sector organisations. (SC Ref:829510)",
    "initiationType": "tender",
    "tender": {
        "id": "S/26/039",
        "legalBasis": {
            "id": "32014L0024",
            "scheme": "CELEX"
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        "title": "Testing Services Framework Agreement",
        "status": "active",
        "classification": {
            "scheme": "CPV",
            "id": "72254100",
            "description": "Systems testing services"
        },
        "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
        "description": "Testing Services for IT Systems",
        "value": {
            "amount": 54000000,
            "currency": "GBP"
        },
        "lots": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "title": "Testing Services",
                "description": "This will be to provide testing services in any form required e.g. a full testing service or testing for specific projects or test phases. Additional information: Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in regulation 58 (Exclusion Grounds) of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015.",
                "awardCriteria": {
                    "criteria": [
                        {
                            "name": "Quality",
                            "type": "quality",
                            "description": "55"
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                            "description": "45"
                        }
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                    "durationInDays": 1440
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                    "maximumCandidates": 10
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                "selectionCriteria": {
                    "description": "It is envisaged that 10 suppliers will be taken through to the ITT Stage, this will provide sufficient competition to award a maximum of 6 suppliers to the Framework Agreement Lot 1 Testing Services."
                },
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                "hasOptions": false,
                "status": "active"
            },
            {
                "id": "2",
                "title": "Testing Resources",
                "description": "This lot will provide testing resources to augment existing testing teams. Additional information: Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in regulation 58 (Exclusion Grounds) of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015.",
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                },
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                    "description": "It is envisaged 10 suppliers will be taken through to the ITT Stage, this will provide sufficient competition to award a maximum of 4 suppliers to Lot 2 - Testing Resources."
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                "additionalClassifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "72254100",
                        "description": "Systems testing services"
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                    {
                        "region": "UKM"
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                "relatedLot": "1"
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                {
                    "type": "suitability",
                    "description": "SPD Part 4A - Suitability to pursue the professional activity, including requirements relating to enrolment on professional or trade registers SPD Part 4A - Where it is required, within a bidder's country of establishment they must confirm which authorisation or memberships of the relevant organisation(s) are required in order to perform this service.",
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                {
                    "type": "economic",
                    "description": "SPD Part 4B Economic and Financial Standing Insurances Other economic or financial",
                    "minimum": "SPD Part 4B Economic and Financial Standing The bidder must have a D & B failure score of no less than 40 The bidder confirms they already have or can commit to obtain, prior to the commencement of the contract, the levels of insurance cover indicated below: Minimum levels (required at SPD stage): Professional Risk Indemnity: in the sum of not less than GBP5,000,000.00 for any one incident and in the aggregate annually; and Employer's (Compulsory) Liability: in accordance with any legal obligation for the time being in force. Public Liability: in the sum of not less than GBP5,000,000.00 for any one incident and in the aggregate annually Maximum levels(Different levels may be required at framework call-off. These will be specified at call-off stage up to the maximum level): Professional Risk Indemnity: in the sum of not less than GBP15,000,000.00 for any one incident and in the aggregate annually; and Employer's (Compulsory) Liability: in accordance with any legal obligation for the time being in force. Public Liability: in the sum of not less than GBP15,000,000.00 for any one incident and in the aggregate annually",
                    "appliesTo": [
                        "supplier"
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                },
                {
                    "type": "technical",
                    "description": "SPD Part 4C Bidders will be required to provide certifications to demonstrate they hold Cyber Essentials, Cyber Essentials Plus and ISO27001 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. Bidders will be required to confirm whether they intend to subcontract and, if so, for what proportion of the contract. Bidders will be required to provide examples of their Tech Skills. Bidders will be required to confirm that they and/or the service provider have the following relevant educational and professional qualifications SPD Part 4D Quality Assurance Schemes Environmental Management Standards",
                    "minimum": "SPD Part 4C Bidders will be required to provide certifications to demonstrate they hold Cyber Essentials, Cyber Essentials Plus and ISO27001 Bidder will be required to provide two examples from the last three years where you have successfully delivered testing services of a similar scope and complexity Bidders will be required to confirm that they and/or the service provider have the following relevant educational and professional qualifications e.g. ISTQB or equivalent and relevant experience and approach to maintaining skills SPD Part 4D Quality Assurance Schemes - 1. The bidder must hold a UKAS (or equivalent) accredited independent third party certificate of compliance in accordance with BS EN ISO 9001 (or equivalent), OR 2. The bidder must have the following: a. A documented policy regarding quality management. The policy must set out responsibilities for quality management demonstrating that the bidder has, and continues to implement, a quality management policy that is authorised by their Chief Executive, or equivalent, which is periodically reviewed at a senior management level. The policy must be relevant to the nature and scale of the work to be undertaken and set out responsibilities for quality management throughout the organisation. Environmental Management Standards - 1 The Bidder must hold a UKAS (or equivalent) accredited independent third party certificate of compliance with BS EN ISO 14001 (or equivalent) or a valid EMAS (or equivalent) certificate, OR 2. The bidder must have the following: a. A regularly reviewed documented policy regarding environmental management, authorised by the Chief Executive, or equivalent. This policy must include and describe the bidder's environmental emergency response procedures, including the preparedness and response procedures for potential accidents and emergency response situations that give rise to significant environmental impacts (for example hazardous substances spill control). For both Lot 1 - Testing Services and Lot 2 - Testing Resources Questions 4C1.2, 4C.10, [Tech Skills] and 4C.6 will be scored in accordance with the scoring guide which can be found in the Evaluation of Single Procurement Document Guidance in the attachments area.",
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        "otherRequirements": {
            "requiresStaffNamesAndQualifications": true
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        "procurementMethod": "selective",
        "procurementMethodDetails": "Restricted procedure",
        "techniques": {
            "hasFrameworkAgreement": true,
            "frameworkAgreement": {
                "maximumParticipants": 6
            }
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        "coveredBy": [
            "GPA"
        ],
        "tenderPeriod": {
            "endDate": "2026-06-18T12:00:00+01:00"
        },
        "secondStage": {
            "invitationDate": "2026-07-08T00:00:00+01:00"
        },
        "submissionTerms": {
            "languages": [
                "en"
            ],
            "bidValidityPeriod": {
                "durationInDays": 270
            }
        },
        "hasRecurrence": true,
        "contractTerms": {
            "hasElectronicOrdering": true,
            "electronicInvoicingPolicy": "allowed",
            "hasElectronicPayment": true
        },
        "recurrence": {
            "description": "19/05/2030"
        }
    },
    "parties": [
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                "legalName": "Social Security Scotland"
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