Award

SPS-02183 Research and Evaluation Services

SCOTTISH PRISON SERVICE

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

03 Feb 2026 at 00:00

Tender

02 Oct 2024 at 00:00

Summary of the contracting process

The Scottish Prison Service (SPS), based in Edinburgh, initiated a procurement process for "SPS-02183 Research and Evaluation Services," aimed at establishing a framework agreement. This open procedure focuses on the services category, specifically involving public order and safety. The procurement process involves commissioning research and evaluation projects related to offender behaviour programmes and control and restraint policy implementation. The tender process began with submissions closing on 15th November 2024, marking the end of the tender period. The procurement has progressed to the award stage, with contracts being signed by successful suppliers on various dates in April and July 2025.

This tender presents valuable opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) specialising in research and evaluation services, notably in public safety and order. The procurement framework is designed to include up to six suppliers, offering considerable scope for business growth within the project duration of 3 to 12 months per project. SME suppliers such as Blake Stevenson Ltd and Dr Briege Nugent have already been actively engaged, highlighting the potential for other similar businesses to expand their public sector portfolio by participating in future opportunities under the framework agreement.

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Notice Title

SPS-02183 Research and Evaluation Services

Notice Description

SPS is seeking suppliers as part of a Research and Evaluation framework agreement. The SPS commissions various research and evaluation projects (e.g evaluations of offender behaviour programmes and the implementation of control and restraint policy). The duration of individual projects usually varies and is dependent on the scope of the research to be conducted. Indicatively, the duration will normally expect to be between 3 and 12 months and will be agreed prior to the start of each research project. The SPS intends to appoint a maximum of 6 suppliers to the Framework Agreement

Lot Information

Lot 1

The SPS commenced this procurement process in good faith and with the intention of awarding a contract. Following publication of the Contract Notice, an Invitation to Tender (ITT) including the Single Procurement Document (SPD) was published by SPS and made available to bidders. Tender responses were then be evaluated by the SPS in accordance with the ITT.

Renewal: An extension of 12 months

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-r6ebe6-0000779526
Publication Source
Public Contracts Scotland
Latest Notice
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=FEB548738
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
OJEU - F3 - Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services


CPV Codes

73110000 - Research services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£317,896 £100K-£500K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
3 Feb 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
15 Nov 2024Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
8 Apr 202510 months ago
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
SCOTTISH PRISON SERVICE
Contact Name
Catharine Dempsey, Chris Johnston
Contact Email
catharine.dempsey@prisons.gov.scot, chris.johnston@prisons.gov.scot
Contact Phone
+44 1313303572, +44 1313303779

Buyer Location

Locality
EDINBURGH
Postcode
N/A
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
Drum Brae/Gyle
Westminster Constituency
Edinburgh West

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
6
Supplier Names

BLAKE STEVENSON

DR BRIEGE NUGENT

EDINBURGH INNOVATIONS

KSO RESEARCH

PROGRESSIVE PARTNERSHIP

THE DIFFLEY PARTNERSHIP

Further Information

Notice Documents

  • https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=OCT515372
    SPS-02183 Research and Evaluation Services - SPS is seeking suppliers as part of a Research and Evaluation framework agreement. The SPS commissions various research and evaluation projects (e.g evaluations of offender behaviour programmes and the implementation of control and restraint policy). The duration of individual projects usually varies and is dependent on the scope of the research to be conducted. Indicatively, the duration will normally expect to be between 3 and 12 months and will be agreed prior to the start of each research project. The SPS intends to appoint a maximum of 6 suppliers to the Framework Agreement
  • https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=FEB548738
    SPS-02183 Research and Evaluation Services - SPS is seeking suppliers as part of a Research and Evaluation framework agreement. The SPS commissions various research and evaluation projects (e.g evaluations of offender behaviour programmes and the implementation of control and restraint policy). The duration of individual projects usually varies and is dependent on the scope of the research to be conducted. Indicatively, the duration will normally expect to be between 3 and 12 months and will be agreed prior to the start of each research project. The SPS intends to appoint a maximum of 6 suppliers to the Framework Agreement

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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                "relatedLot": "1"
            },
            {
                "id": "145",
                "measure": "electronicBids",
                "value": 13,
                "relatedLot": "1"
            }
        ]
    }
}