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FTS051 Research, Appraisal, Delivery and Support Framework - Lot 2 Research

Highlands and Islands Enterprise

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

TenderUpdate

22 Jul 2026 at 12:53

Tender Notice
Tender

13 Jul 2026 at 16:22

Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Highlands and Islands Enterprise is procuring Lot 2 of the Research, Appraisal, Delivery and Support Framework. The requirement is for research services covering primary quantitative and qualitative research, secondary and tertiary research, socio-economic and sector research, scenario planning, customer research and economic intelligence. It includes market and economic research, polling, statistics, survey design, survey delivery and analysis, social research and research consultancy. The framework is intended primarily for Highlands and Islands Enterprise, but may also be used by South of Scotland Enterprise, Wave Energy Scotland, HIE Orkney, HIE Ventures, Cairngorm Mountain and other organisations under Highlands and Islands Enterprise’s control or funding. Services may be delivered across the Highlands and Islands and Southern Scotland.

The procurement has reached tender: the buyer invited offers through an open procedure, with electronic submission required through the online postbox. This notice covers Lot 2 only. The estimated value of Lot 2 is £1,380,000; the total estimated framework value across both lots is £3,200,000. The framework is expected to run for three years from November 2026, with an extension option of up to one further year. Tenders were due by 24 August 2026 at 12:00, and tenders were scheduled to open at the same time. Bids must remain valid for 90 days. Up to six suppliers may be appointed. Evaluation comprises price at 40%, delivery methodology 30%, management and delivery team 15%, management methodology 10% and fair work practices 5%, alongside pass/fail requirements.

This opportunity suits established research agencies, economic consultancies, market intelligence firms and specialist survey providers able to deliver mixed-method research at framework scale. Relevant capability includes designing and conducting quantitative and qualitative surveys, analysing statistical and socio-economic evidence, carrying out secondary and tertiary research, and producing sector, customer, scenario-planning and economic-intelligence outputs. Bidders must provide the names and qualifications of staff assigned to the work and demonstrate a credible delivery and management approach. The required insurance levels are £5 million professional indemnity per claim, £5 million employers’ liability per claim and £1 million public liability per claim. Suppliers must also address cyber security, prompt payment, real living wage, community benefits and fair work practices, with an electronic ordering and payment environment.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

FTS051 Research, Appraisal, Delivery and Support Framework - Lot 2 Research

Notice Description

The Research, Appraisal, Delivery and Support (RADS) Framework is divided into two lots: -Lot 1 Support, Appraisal and Delivery -Lot 2 Research This notice relates solely to Lot 2 of the two-lot framework procurement. Separate Public Contracts Scotland (PCS) notices have been published for each Lot, each with the description 'FTS051 Research, Appraisal, Delivery and Support Framework'. The estimated value of Lot 2 is GBP 1,380,000. The total estimated value of the framework across Lots 1 and 2 is GBP 3,200,000, which is the value stated in this notice. Suppliers may tender for, and be appointed to, one or both Lots. Lot 2 covers a mix of primary (both quantitative and qualitative), secondary and tertiary research - this will include socio-economic research, sectoral research, scenario planning, customer research and economic intelligence.

Lot Information

Lot 1

The framework will be let from November 2026 for a period of 3 years, unless terminated in accordance with the provisions of the Framework Agreement, with HIE having the option to extend for a further period or periods together no exceeding 1 year. Although HIE will be the primary user, the Framework (both lots) will also be available for use by South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE), Wave Energy Scotland Limited (WES), HIE Orkney, HIE Ventures Ltd (HIEVL), Cairngorm Mountain (Scotland) Ltd (CMSL), as well as any other Contracting Authority wholly or partly under the control of, or funded by HIE, at any point during the term of this Framework (subject to case-by-case approval by HIE). Each Framework User listed above will enter into a direct contract with the Framework Suppliers on the same terms and conditions as those applying between HIE and the Framework Suppliers. The Framework will be non-exclusive, Framework Users reserve the right, in certain circumstances, to procure services out with the Framework, where required. 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 under the Framework Agreement, including the removal of Services, the addition of new Services, increases or decreases to the Services, or changes to 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. Framework Users may also modify their own call-off contracts where permitted by Regulation 72 and in accordance with the terms of the relevant call-off contract. The Framework Agreement and/or call-off contracts may be modified where permitted by Regulation 72 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015 and in accordance with the terms of the relevant agreement or contract. Such modifications may include, but are not limited to the following circumstances: -Changes to budget availability. -Where a Framework User brings the services in-house (fully or partially) such that the services are no longer required or reduced services are required. -Reduction or removal of services are required for example where services are no longer required due to changes in organisational strategy or priorities -Cancellation or pausing of a call-off contract due to changes in project status. -The addition of similar services, for example due to increased demand, where significant inconvenience and/or substantial duplication of costs to the Framework User can be avoided. -Increases to the volume of the services required. -Change in legislative requirements resulting in increased, reduced or amended services. -Where demand under one Lot is lower than anticipated and requirements are instead commissioned under the other Lot, subject always to the overall maximum Framework value not being exceeded.

Renewal: It is anticipated that the framework will be let from November 2026 for a period of 3 years, unless terminated in accordance with the provisions of the Framework Agreement, with HIE having the option to extend for a further period or periods together no exceeding 1 year

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06c9e1
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/069149-2026
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

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

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

CPV Codes

73110000 - Research services

73210000 - Research consultancy services

79300000 - Market and economic research; polling and statistics

79310000 - Market research services

79311000 - Survey services

79311100 - Survey design services

79311200 - Survey conduction services

79311300 - Survey analysis services

79315000 - Social research services

79330000 - Statistical services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£3,200,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£3,200,000 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
22 Jul 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
18 Aug 2026Expired
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 of the contract or at the end of the contract period, 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.

South of Scotland Enterprise

Wave Energy Scotland Limited

Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
INVERNESS
Postcode
IV2 5NA
Postcode Area
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
TLM6 Highlands and Islands, TLM9 Southern Scotland
Local Authority
Highland
Electoral Ward
Inverness South
Westminster Constituency
Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire

Further Information

Notice URLs

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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