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Framework Agreement - Standards and Frameworks

Skills Development Scotland Ltd

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

23 Oct 2026 at 15:54

Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Skills Development Scotland is seeking suppliers for a multi-supplier framework to develop and maintain occupational standards and qualifications for itself and the devolved governments of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The six work areas cover early scoping before occupational-standard development; creating, reviewing, updating and cleaning occupational standards across sectors and occupations; translating standards into Welsh; reviewing and developing Scottish vocational or other competency-based qualifications; reviewing Northern Ireland apprenticeship frameworks; and specialist technical support. Technical support includes labour-market information analysis, AI and natural-language-processing data analysis, behavioural expertise, Welsh-language quality assurance and technical writing. The work is classified as education and training services, with research and development consultancy also relevant to technical support. Delivery is in Scotland.

The buyer invited offers through an open procedure for a framework agreement, with up to 50 suppliers. The tender deadline was 27 November 2026 at 12:00 UTC; bids were to be submitted electronically in English. The framework was planned to run for two years, with two possible extensions of up to 12 months each. The estimated value is £3.6 million. It is divided into six lots, covering scoping, occupational-standard development and maintenance, Welsh translation, Scottish qualifications, Northern Ireland apprenticeship frameworks and technical expertise. Each lot is evaluated on quality (70%) and price (30%). Alternative bids are not permitted. The contract allows electronic invoicing, and community benefits are included as an information-only question.

This framework suits organisations with expertise in occupational standards, workforce and skills development, qualifications or apprenticeship frameworks. Suppliers may focus on a specific lot: Welsh translation providers will need to manage translation, quality assurance and publication, while technical specialists may offer labour-market analysis, AI or natural-language-processing data analysis, behavioural expertise, Welsh standards quality assurance or technical writing. The range also creates opportunities for organisations experienced in scoping standards, reviewing and updating content, identifying obsolete or duplicate standards, and developing Scottish vocational or competency-based qualifications. The multi-supplier structure allows specialist providers to compete for relevant work areas rather than the whole requirement. Offers need to demonstrate strong quality, which carries more evaluation weight than price; suppliers should be ready to explain the capability and delivery approach relevant to their chosen lot.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Framework Agreement - Standards and Frameworks

Notice Description

Skills Development Scotland has a requirement to procure a multi lot, multi supplier framework agreement for SDS and on behalf of the Devolved Governments (DGs) of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to provide development of Standards and Frameworks.

Lot Information

National Occupational Standards (NOS) Pre Development Scoping

Lot 1: National Occupational Standards (NOS) Pre Development Scoping There is a benefit in undertaking scoping activity in advance of any review or development of NOS to better identify and improve specificity of later NOS work to be commissioned

Renewal: 2 extension periods of up to 12 months available

National Occupational Standards (NOS), NOS Review and Development for Pan Sector, Multi Sector, Sector-Specific and Job-Specific NOS, NOS Content Update and NOS Cleansing Activity

Lot 2: National Occupational Standards (NOS), NOS Review and Development for Pan Sector, Multi Sector, Sector-Specific and Job-Specific NOS, NOS Content Update and NOS Cleansing Activity Pan Sector and Multi sector will cover development and reviews relevant to all or multiple sectors, with full/partial NOS suites with the number of units in scope to be identified using 3/4-digit SOC code. While Sector-specific and job-specific NOS will cover NOS development and reviews relevant to multiple occupations or a singular occupation in one sector, with full/partial NOS suites with the number of units in scope to be identified using 4/6-digit SOC code. NOS Content Update includes changes to wording and minor updates NOS Cleansing is the review of existing NOS to identify out-of-date NOS and duplicate NOS for deletion

Renewal: Two extensions periods of up to 12 months are available

Welsh Translation for NOS

Lot 3: Welsh Translation for NOS Translations of NOS into Welsh. Will include project management of contract, appointment of translator, submission for quality assurance, oversight of quality, publication and promotion.

Renewal: Two extensions of up to 12 months are available

Scottish Qualification Products, Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs) or alternative competency-based qualifications (CBQs)

Lot 4: Scottish Qualification Products, Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs) or alternative competency-based qualifications (CBQs). Review and development of the relevant qualifications in Scotland.

Renewal: Two extensions of up to 12 months are available

Apprenticeship Frameworks in Northern Ireland

Lot 5: Apprenticeship Frameworks in Northern Ireland Review of Apprenticeship Frameworks

Renewal: Two extension periods of up to 12 months are available

Technical Expertise

Specialist technical support in LMI analysis and triangulation, AI/NLP data analysis, Behaviours, Welsh NOS Quality Assurance and NOS technical writing.

Renewal: Two extension periods of up to 12 months are available

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-078f74
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/100682-2026
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

80 - Education and training services

CPV Codes

73000000 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

80000000 - Education and training services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£3,600,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
23 Oct 20263 days ago
Submission Deadline
27 Nov 20261 months to go
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Skills Development Scotland Ltd
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
GLASGOW
Postcode
G2 1DY
Postcode Area
Glasgow
Country
Scotland
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLM Scotland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLM3 West Central Scotland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLM32 Glasgow City
Delivery Location
TLM Scotland
Local Authority
Glasgow City
Electoral Ward
Anderston/City/Yorkhill
Westminster Constituency
Glasgow East

Further Information

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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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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