This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

13 Jul 2026 at 15:22

Summary of the contracting process

The procurement process for the "FTS051 Research, Appraisal, Delivery and Support Framework - Lot 2 Research" is being managed by Highlands and Islands Enterprise, headquartered in Inverness, United Kingdom (Region UKM6). The tender focuses on the services industry, with a specific emphasis on market and economic research including socio-economic research, scenario planning, and sectoral research. This tender is currently at the 'tender' stage with an active status and has a submission deadline set for 18th August 2026. The contract is expected to begin in November 2026, lasting for three years with the possibility of a one-year extension. The procurement's total estimated value across all lots is GBP 3,200,000, with GBP 1,380,000 allocated for Lot 2. The process employs an open procurement method, and submissions are only accepted electronically via the Public Contracts Scotland website.

This tender represents significant opportunities for businesses specialising in research activities, ranging from primary surveys to economic intelligence gathering. Companies skilled in market research, statistical services, and consultancy services would find this tender particularly beneficial for growth. Engaging in this framework could provide substantial project opportunities not only with Highlands and Islands Enterprise but potentially with other involved organisations like South of Scotland Enterprise and Wave Energy Scotland Limited. In addition to financial opportunities, participation in this tender could allow companies to forge strategic partnerships and expand their influence within the UK public sector market, particularly in the regions of UKM6 and UKM9.

How relevant is this notice?

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

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06c9e1
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/065771-2026
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
13 Jul 20262 days ago
Submission Deadline
18 Aug 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 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

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
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
TLM6 Highlands and Islands, TLM9 Southern Scotland

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

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

JSON Markdown

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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