Award

Independent investigation into higher education institution

SCOTTISH FUNDING COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

10 Oct 2025 at 00:00

Summary of the contracting process

The Scottish Funding Council, based in Edinburgh, undertook a public procurement process titled "Independent investigation into higher education institution," focusing on the education sector in the UK. This contract, which has reached the 'Award' stage, was initiated due to an urgent situation requiring immediate attention to investigate financial issues within a higher education institution. The procurement utilised a limited method, specifically an award procedure without prior publication due to extreme urgency. The contract is valued at £423,000 and was officially signed on 14th April 2025.

This procurement presents significant opportunities for businesses involved in providing high-quality investigation and consultancy services, particularly those with the capacity to manage acute and sensitive projects rapidly. Large firms with experience in financial analysis and advisory services are well-suited to compete in such tenders, as demonstrated by the award to BDO LLP, a renowned large-scale supplier. Businesses that thrive in fast-paced environments and can deliver high-quality outcomes under tight deadlines should find similar opportunities advantageous for growth and market expansion.

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Notice Title

Independent investigation into higher education institution

Notice Description

An independent investigation to determine the causes and contributing factors to the deterioration of a higher education institution's financial position.

Lot Information

Lot 1

An independent investigation to determine the causes and contributing factors to the deterioration of the higher education institution's financial position.

Procurement Information

The award was required due to an urgent requirement for these services. This was brought about by a quickly developing and changing situation at the higher education institution. Further time pressure was been caused due an unsuccessful competition for these services in which 0 tenders were returned. (NB this was a competition under a Framework). SFC was therefore in a position where they need to appoint a provider urgently. The sensitive nature of this requirement meant it was not possible to delay further to carry out another competition.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-r6ebe6-0000800830
Publication Source
Public Contracts Scotland
Latest Notice
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=OCT541246
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
OJEU - F3 - Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Limited
Procurement Method Details
Award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

66 - Financial and insurance services

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


CPV Codes

66171000 - Financial consultancy services

79140000 - Legal advisory and information services

79720000 - Investigation services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£423,000 £100K-£500K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
10 Oct 20254 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
14 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 FUNDING COUNCIL
Contact Name
Stephen Connor
Contact Email
sconnor@sfc.ac.uk
Contact Phone
+44 1313136500

Buyer Location

Locality
EDINBURGH
Postcode
EH12 5HD
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 West

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

BDO

Further Information

Notice Documents

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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