This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

29 Jul 2026 at 08:22

Summary of the contracting process

Crown Estate Scotland is initiating the Marine Services Framework procurement process under the active tender stage, facilitated by Scotland Excel,, offering a significant opportunity for relevant businesses. The framework is segmented into three lots: Technical Consultancy Support, Commercial & Economic Support, and Seabed Leasing and Market Access Advice, each with distinct requirements. The procurement focuses on the services industry category in the UK region. Key dates include the tender period ending on 31st August 2026 at 12:00 PM, with contracts slated to start on 12th November 2026, running until 12th November 2028, with potential extensions. The framework will appoint up to six strategic partners, ensuring comprehensive involvement in shaping the CES 2026-31 Corporate Plan.

This tender presents robust business growth opportunities for firms versed in marine services, including research consultancy, aquaculture, environmental, and energy-related consultancy services. Companies with expertise in the areas of technical consultancy, commercial evaluations, or market access advice particularly stand to benefit, with a maximum of two suppliers being selected per lot. The selection criteria necessitate substantial qualifications and expertise, such as PRINCE2 and Chartered Engineer accreditations. Engaging in this contract will allow businesses to collaborate on significant marine and offshore projects, reinforcing their market presence and expertise while contributing to national development priorities. The open procurement method underscores the inclusivity and competitive nature of the process, appealing to firms aiming for substantial sector engagements.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

Marine Services Framework

Notice Description

Crown Estate Scotland (CES) is now seeking to appoint suppliers who will be considered strategic delivery partners, to help us to deliver the Marine activities of the 2026-31 Corporate Plan. The three lots of expertise that CES require and have organised each as its own bespoke lot within a new Marine Services Framework: Lot 1 Technical Consultancy support Lot 2 Commercial and Economic support Lot 3 Seabed Leasing and Market Access Advice Crown Estate Scotland intends to appoint up to two suppliers per each Lot.

Lot Information

Technical Consultancy Support

Specialist advice To provide specialist advice and expertise on all aspects of offshore energy & infrastructure, aquaculture and marine ecosystem services areas, to support development function activities for all sectors, enabling activities and provision of technical due diligence. This work will typically include technical advice notes, reporting, and publications which will be shared by CES or in collaboration with partner organisations, or occasionally for internal CES use. This work will support production of sector profiles on the CES website, support in preparing tenant surveys, asset lifetime scenario reports, identification of commercial models for emerging sectors, and other similar commissions. Each project will have its own specific requirements; however, it should be assumed that all will require provision of project management. Additional information: Scotland Excel is acting on behalf of Crown Estate Scotland (CES) in the execution of this tender but will not be party to the contract or the management of the contract throughout its lifetime.

Renewal: Crown Estate Scotland reserves the right to extend the contract for up to two (2) additional periods of 12 months, up to a maximum duration of four (4) years.

Commercial & Economic Support

Valuations/commercial terms advice To undertake periodic and as needed sector and/or project specific commercial reviews to inform the terms (e.g. rental) which will be applied to our seabed agreements. The terms require to be applied to each type of agreement (Exclusivity/Appraisal Agreement, Option Agreement, Lease and/or Licence) and offered in ad-hoc leasing and in leasing rounds. These commissions will typically require review of our leasing guidance documents, Heads of Terms, existing and model from agreements and other relevant policies. The specific terms to be considered include (but are not limited to): Leasing terms Application fees Option Fees Option Periods Limits on live option agreements at any one time Lease rental fees and/ or mechanisms Financial Security and liability requirements Estimated maximum loss requirements Insurance requirements Fee indexing mechanisms (e.g. CPI versus RPI) Open market rent assessments for operational leases These reviews will consider the background context within which the particular sector is developing _operating, including: current market conditions uncertainties in revenue support or business models value to the grantee arising from the rights (including in the context of specific project economics) Regulatory environments and frameworks (eg Ofgem frameworks for Regulated Assets) Specific to Energy & Infrastructure: consideration of grid reinforcements and associated grid curtailment payments; subsidy and/ or regulated asset regimes; and policy and process developments brought forward by Government and National Energy System Operator (e.g. connections reform). Specific to Aquaculture: updates to sea lice framework as result of industry legal challenge to SEPA proposed framework. Future offshore developments for finfish, shellfish &/or seaweed outwith 3 nautical miles Finfish Production Audit (current contract in place until end of Feb 2028) needing retendered Q4 2027 Additional information: Scotland Excel is acting on behalf of Crown Estate Scotland (CES) in the execution of this tender but will not be party to the contract or the management of the contract throughout its lifetime.

Renewal: Crown Estate Scotland reserves the right to extend the contract for up to two (2) additional periods of 12 months, up to a maximum duration of four (4) years.

Seabed Leasing and Market Access Advice

Leasing Advice To work on sectoral market arrangements with an awareness of planning and regulatory environments to support leasing activities on an ad-hoc basis or in preparation for leasing rounds. CES leases seabed both on a 'plan-led' basis where a sectoral marine plan or equivalent policy is in place, or where no such plan exists, CES may lease seabed 'ad-hoc'. Leasing requires market appetite and stakeholder engagement activity is important to ensure our leasing is attractive to potential applicants and partner organisations. Documents need to be developed which detail the leasing offer, and commercial terms such as application fee, Option Fee and lease rental mechanism. Applicant guidance notes are required to explain the application evaluation criteria and how submissions are scored. In all of our leasing processes we must provide clear explanation of how competing interest will be resolved. Additional information in the specification Additional information: Scotland Excel is acting on behalf of Crown Estate Scotland (CES) in the execution of this tender but will not be party to the contract or the management of the contract throughout its lifetime.

Renewal: Crown Estate Scotland reserves the right to extend the contract for up to two (2) additional periods of 12 months, up to a maximum duration of four (4) years.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06d5f7
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/071512-2026
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

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

77 - Agricultural, forestry, horticultural, aquacultural and apicultural services

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

90 - Sewage, refuse, cleaning and environmental services


CPV Codes

71300000 - Engineering services

71314000 - Energy and related services

71314300 - Energy-efficiency consultancy services

71335000 - Engineering studies

73210000 - Research consultancy services

77800000 - Aquaculture services

79400000 - Business and management consultancy and related services

79411100 - Business development consultancy services

79413000 - Marketing management consultancy services

90712400 - Natural resources management or conservation strategy planning services

90713000 - Environmental issues consultancy services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£4,990,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£1,100,000 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
29 Jul 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
31 Aug 20264 weeks to go
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
12 Nov 2026 - 12 Nov 2028 2-3 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
CROWN ESTATE 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
EDINBURGH
Postcode
EH3 9GL
Post Town
Edinburgh
Country
Scotland

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLM Scotland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLM1 East Central Scotland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLM13 City of Edinburgh
Delivery Location
TLM Scotland

Local Authority
City of Edinburgh
Electoral Ward
City Centre
Westminster Constituency
Edinburgh East and Musselburgh

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.

{
    "tag": [
        "compiled"
    ],
    "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-06d5f7-2026-07-29T09:22:25+01:00",
    "date": "2026-07-29T09:22:25+01:00",
    "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-06d5f7",
    "description": "Scotland Excel is acting on behalf of Crown Estate Scotland (CES) in the execution of this tender but will not be party to the contract or the management of the contract throughout its lifetime. NOTE: To register your interest in this notice and obtain any additional information please visit the Public Contracts Scotland Web Site at https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=836835. The buyer has indicated that it will accept electronic responses to this notice via the Postbox facility. A user guide is available at https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/sitehelp/help_guides.aspx. Suppliers are advised to allow adequate time for uploading documents and to dispatch the electronic response well in advance of the closing time to avoid any last minute problems. 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: It is detailed within the tender documents. (SC Ref:836835) Download the ESPD document here: https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/ESPD/ESPD_Download.aspx?id=836835",
    "initiationType": "tender",
    "tender": {
        "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-06d5f7",
        "legalBasis": {
            "id": "32014L0024",
            "scheme": "CELEX"
        },
        "title": "Marine Services Framework",
        "status": "active",
        "classification": {
            "scheme": "CPV",
            "id": "73210000",
            "description": "Research consultancy services"
        },
        "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
        "description": "Crown Estate Scotland (CES) is now seeking to appoint suppliers who will be considered strategic delivery partners, to help us to deliver the Marine activities of the 2026-31 Corporate Plan. The three lots of expertise that CES require and have organised each as its own bespoke lot within a new Marine Services Framework: Lot 1 Technical Consultancy support Lot 2 Commercial and Economic support Lot 3 Seabed Leasing and Market Access Advice Crown Estate Scotland intends to appoint up to two suppliers per each Lot.",
        "value": {
            "amount": 4990000,
            "currency": "GBP"
        },
        "lots": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "title": "Technical Consultancy Support",
                "description": "Specialist advice To provide specialist advice and expertise on all aspects of offshore energy & infrastructure, aquaculture and marine ecosystem services areas, to support development function activities for all sectors, enabling activities and provision of technical due diligence. This work will typically include technical advice notes, reporting, and publications which will be shared by CES or in collaboration with partner organisations, or occasionally for internal CES use. This work will support production of sector profiles on the CES website, support in preparing tenant surveys, asset lifetime scenario reports, identification of commercial models for emerging sectors, and other similar commissions. Each project will have its own specific requirements; however, it should be assumed that all will require provision of project management. Additional information: Scotland Excel is acting on behalf of Crown Estate Scotland (CES) in the execution of this tender but will not be party to the contract or the management of the contract throughout its lifetime.",
                "awardCriteria": {
                    "criteria": [
                        {
                            "name": "Quality",
                            "type": "quality",
                            "description": "70%"
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "price",
                            "description": "30%"
                        }
                    ]
                },
                "value": {
                    "amount": 600000,
                    "currency": "GBP"
                },
                "contractPeriod": {
                    "startDate": "2026-11-12T00:00:00Z",
                    "endDate": "2028-11-12T23:59:59Z"
                },
                "hasRenewal": true,
                "renewal": {
                    "description": "Crown Estate Scotland reserves the right to extend the contract for up to two (2) additional periods of 12 months, up to a maximum duration of four (4) years."
                },
                "submissionTerms": {
                    "variantPolicy": "notAllowed"
                },
                "hasOptions": false,
                "status": "active"
            },
            {
                "id": "2",
                "title": "Commercial & Economic Support",
                "description": "Valuations/commercial terms advice To undertake periodic and as needed sector and/or project specific commercial reviews to inform the terms (e.g. rental) which will be applied to our seabed agreements. The terms require to be applied to each type of agreement (Exclusivity/Appraisal Agreement, Option Agreement, Lease and/or Licence) and offered in ad-hoc leasing and in leasing rounds. These commissions will typically require review of our leasing guidance documents, Heads of Terms, existing and model from agreements and other relevant policies. The specific terms to be considered include (but are not limited to): Leasing terms Application fees Option Fees Option Periods Limits on live option agreements at any one time Lease rental fees and/ or mechanisms Financial Security and liability requirements Estimated maximum loss requirements Insurance requirements Fee indexing mechanisms (e.g. CPI versus RPI) Open market rent assessments for operational leases These reviews will consider the background context within which the particular sector is developing _operating, including: current market conditions uncertainties in revenue support or business models value to the grantee arising from the rights (including in the context of specific project economics) Regulatory environments and frameworks (eg Ofgem frameworks for Regulated Assets) Specific to Energy & Infrastructure: consideration of grid reinforcements and associated grid curtailment payments; subsidy and/ or regulated asset regimes; and policy and process developments brought forward by Government and National Energy System Operator (e.g. connections reform). Specific to Aquaculture: updates to sea lice framework as result of industry legal challenge to SEPA proposed framework. Future offshore developments for finfish, shellfish &/or seaweed outwith 3 nautical miles Finfish Production Audit (current contract in place until end of Feb 2028) needing retendered Q4 2027 Additional information: Scotland Excel is acting on behalf of Crown Estate Scotland (CES) in the execution of this tender but will not be party to the contract or the management of the contract throughout its lifetime.",
                "awardCriteria": {
                    "criteria": [
                        {
                            "name": "Quality",
                            "type": "quality",
                            "description": "70%"
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "price",
                            "description": "30%"
                        }
                    ]
                },
                "value": {
                    "amount": 500000,
                    "currency": "GBP"
                },
                "contractPeriod": {
                    "startDate": "2026-11-12T00:00:00Z",
                    "endDate": "2028-11-12T23:59:59Z"
                },
                "hasRenewal": true,
                "renewal": {
                    "description": "Crown Estate Scotland reserves the right to extend the contract for up to two (2) additional periods of 12 months, up to a maximum duration of four (4) years."
                },
                "submissionTerms": {
                    "variantPolicy": "notAllowed"
                },
                "hasOptions": false,
                "status": "active"
            },
            {
                "id": "3",
                "title": "Seabed Leasing and Market Access Advice",
                "description": "Leasing Advice To work on sectoral market arrangements with an awareness of planning and regulatory environments to support leasing activities on an ad-hoc basis or in preparation for leasing rounds. CES leases seabed both on a 'plan-led' basis where a sectoral marine plan or equivalent policy is in place, or where no such plan exists, CES may lease seabed 'ad-hoc'. Leasing requires market appetite and stakeholder engagement activity is important to ensure our leasing is attractive to potential applicants and partner organisations. Documents need to be developed which detail the leasing offer, and commercial terms such as application fee, Option Fee and lease rental mechanism. Applicant guidance notes are required to explain the application evaluation criteria and how submissions are scored. In all of our leasing processes we must provide clear explanation of how competing interest will be resolved. Additional information in the specification Additional information: Scotland Excel is acting on behalf of Crown Estate Scotland (CES) in the execution of this tender but will not be party to the contract or the management of the contract throughout its lifetime.",
                "awardCriteria": {
                    "criteria": [
                        {
                            "name": "Quality",
                            "type": "quality",
                            "description": "70%"
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "price",
                            "description": "30%"
                        }
                    ]
                },
                "contractPeriod": {
                    "startDate": "2026-11-12T00:00:00Z",
                    "endDate": "2028-11-12T23:59:59Z"
                },
                "hasRenewal": true,
                "renewal": {
                    "description": "Crown Estate Scotland reserves the right to extend the contract for up to two (2) additional periods of 12 months, up to a maximum duration of four (4) years."
                },
                "submissionTerms": {
                    "variantPolicy": "notAllowed"
                },
                "hasOptions": false,
                "status": "active"
            }
        ],
        "items": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "additionalClassifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "71300000",
                        "description": "Engineering services"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "77800000",
                        "description": "Aquaculture services"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "71314000",
                        "description": "Energy and related services"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "71335000",
                        "description": "Engineering studies"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "71314300",
                        "description": "Energy-efficiency consultancy services"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "90712400",
                        "description": "Natural resources management or conservation strategy planning services"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "90713000",
                        "description": "Environmental issues consultancy services"
                    }
                ],
                "deliveryAddresses": [
                    {
                        "region": "UKM"
                    }
                ],
                "relatedLot": "1"
            },
            {
                "id": "2",
                "additionalClassifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "79411100",
                        "description": "Business development consultancy services"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "77800000",
                        "description": "Aquaculture services"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "71314000",
                        "description": "Energy and related services"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "71335000",
                        "description": "Engineering studies"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "71314300",
                        "description": "Energy-efficiency consultancy services"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "90712400",
                        "description": "Natural resources management or conservation strategy planning services"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "90713000",
                        "description": "Environmental issues consultancy services"
                    }
                ],
                "deliveryAddresses": [
                    {
                        "region": "UKM"
                    }
                ],
                "relatedLot": "2"
            },
            {
                "id": "3",
                "additionalClassifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "79413000",
                        "description": "Marketing management consultancy services"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "79400000",
                        "description": "Business and management consultancy and related services"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "77800000",
                        "description": "Aquaculture services"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "71314000",
                        "description": "Energy and related services"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "71335000",
                        "description": "Engineering studies"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "71314300",
                        "description": "Energy-efficiency consultancy services"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "90712400",
                        "description": "Natural resources management or conservation strategy planning services"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "90713000",
                        "description": "Environmental issues consultancy services"
                    }
                ],
                "deliveryAddresses": [
                    {
                        "region": "UKM"
                    }
                ],
                "relatedLot": "3"
            }
        ],
        "submissionMethod": [
            "electronicSubmission"
        ],
        "submissionMethodDetails": "http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk",
        "selectionCriteria": {
            "criteria": [
                {
                    "type": "suitability",
                    "description": "For Lot 1 Technical Consultancy Support: Lead framework contact must hold one of: PMQ from the Association of Project Management PRINCE2 Member of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (MIET) In addition, for Lot 1, at least one member of core team must be: Chartered Engineer (CEng), or Chartered Town Planner (MRTPI) For Lot 2 Commercial & Economic Support: Lead framework contact must hold one of: PMQ from the Association of Project Management PRINCE2 Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Chartered Accountant (CA or ACCA) In addition, for Lot 2, at least one member of core team must be: Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), or Chartered Accountant (ACCA), or Chartered Surveyor (MRICS) and holds active Registered RICS Valuer status For Lot 3 Leasing & Market Access: Lead framework contact must hold one of: PMQ from the Association of Project Management PRINCE2 Member of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (MIET) In addition, for Lot 3, at least one member of core team must be: Chartered Engineer (CEng) Chartered Surveyor (MRICS) and holds active Registered RICS Valuer status",
                    "appliesTo": [
                        "supplier"
                    ]
                }
            ]
        },
        "documents": [
            {
                "id": "economic",
                "documentType": "economicSelectionCriteria"
            },
            {
                "id": "technical",
                "documentType": "technicalSelectionCriteria"
            }
        ],
        "contractTerms": {
            "performanceTerms": "As detailed in the tender documents.",
            "hasElectronicOrdering": true,
            "electronicInvoicingPolicy": "allowed",
            "hasElectronicPayment": true
        },
        "otherRequirements": {
            "requiresStaffNamesAndQualifications": true
        },
        "procurementMethod": "open",
        "procurementMethodDetails": "Open procedure",
        "techniques": {
            "hasFrameworkAgreement": true,
            "frameworkAgreement": {
                "maximumParticipants": 6
            }
        },
        "coveredBy": [
            "GPA"
        ],
        "tenderPeriod": {
            "endDate": "2026-08-31T12:00:00+01:00"
        },
        "submissionTerms": {
            "languages": [
                "en"
            ]
        },
        "awardPeriod": {
            "startDate": "2026-08-31T12:00:00+01:00"
        },
        "bidOpening": {
            "date": "2026-08-31T12:00:00+01:00"
        },
        "hasRecurrence": false
    },
    "parties": [
        {
            "id": "GB-FTS-16652",
            "name": "Crown Estate Scotland",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "Crown Estate Scotland"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Quartermile Two, 2nd Floor, 2 Lister Square",
                "locality": "Edinburgh",
                "region": "UK",
                "postalCode": "EH3 9GL",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "telephone": "+44 1312606070",
                "email": "flexibleprocurement@scotland-excel.org.uk",
                "url": "http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer",
                "centralPurchasingBody"
            ],
            "details": {
                "url": "http://crownestatescotland.com/",
                "buyerProfile": "https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA29444",
                "classifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "TED_CA_TYPE",
                        "description": "Crown Estate Scotland"
                    },
                    {
                        "id": "05",
                        "scheme": "COFOG",
                        "description": "Environmental protection"
                    }
                ]
            }
        },
        {
            "id": "GB-FTS-404",
            "name": "Edinburgh Sheriff Court",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "Edinburgh Sheriff Court"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "27 Chambers Street",
                "locality": "Edinburgh",
                "postalCode": "EH1 1LB",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom"
            },
            "roles": [
                "reviewBody"
            ]
        }
    ],
    "buyer": {
        "id": "GB-FTS-16652",
        "name": "Crown Estate Scotland"
    },
    "links": [
        {
            "rel": "canonical",
            "href": "https://api.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/v1/Notice?id=ocds-r6ebe6-0000836835"
        }
    ],
    "language": "en"
}