Tender

DFSED-SG Bond Bookrunners

SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Tender

28 Jan 2026 at 00:00

Planning

08 Dec 2025 at 00:00

Summary of the contracting process

The Scottish Government, located at 5 Atlantic Quay, Glasgow, is seeking to engage external service providers to facilitate access to the sterling public bond market through a tender titled "DFSED-SG Bond Bookrunners". This procurement process is in the tender stage with a submission deadline of 16th February 2026. The procurement is classified under the "services" category, specifically within financial services. The contract value is estimated at GBP 5,000,000, and the procurement follows an open procedure, allowing for electronic submissions. This initiative is linked to Scotland's capital borrowing strategy, which aims to diversify funding sources and improve fiscal sustainability, culminating with a programme launch over the next parliamentary term, with bond issuances expected by late 2026 or early 2027, dependent on various economic and political conditions.

This tender presents significant business growth opportunities for financial institutions capable of supporting bond market access through strong institutional frameworks and prudent financial management. Businesses specialising in financial services, particularly those experienced in bond markets, and possessing robust supply chain management and environmental strategies, will find this an attractive opportunity. The multi-supplier framework agreement to be established offers a chance for various banks to act as Lead Managers for bond issuances, promoting collaboration and competition. Firms that demonstrate sustainability in their supply chain practices, strong financial ratios, and a commitment to environmental measures will be well positioned to compete. The Scottish Government emphasises compliance with financial regulations, transparency, and value for money, making this tender appealing for organisations aligning with these principles.

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Notice Title

DFSED-SG Bond Bookrunners

Notice Description

The Scottish Government is seeking to appoint external service providers to assist in accessing the sterling public bond market. From 2016, the Scottish Government's annual limit for Capital Borrowing has been GBP 450 million, with a cumulative limit of GBP 3 billion. The 2023 Fiscal Framework review increased these limits in line with inflation, and the Scottish Government has been reviewing its capital borrowing policy options under these new limits. On 4 December 2024, the Scottish Government published a memorandum detailing the outcome of the initial due diligence and its updated capital borrowing policy in the context of the revised Fiscal Framework limits. The key objectives for the issuance of bonds includes diversifying capital funding sources, enhancing fiscal sustainability, raising Scotland's profile among financial investors, and developing institutional fiscal discipline. On 12th November 2025 Moody's Investors Service and Standard & Poor's assigned inaugural credit ratings for the Scottish Government of Aa3/AA respectively, both with a stable outlook. The strength and diversity of Scotland's economy, its strong institutional framework, as well as the Scottish Government's prudent financial management and low levels of debt are factors highlighted in the agencies' reports. A GBP 1.5 billion programme is expected to commence over the next parliament, with a debut benchmark bond issuance currently anticipated for late 2026 or early 2027, subject to the outcome of the Scottish Parliament election, in-year borrowing requirements and market conditions.

Lot Information

Lot 1

The Scottish Government intends to establish a multi-supplier framework agreement, expected to run for four years and cover multiple debt issuance. The framework will include several banks, each with the opportunity to act as Lead Manager for the inaugural and any future bond issuance. Please note: -This requirement is exempt from the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015 under regulation 11(1)(f). -It is also excluded under Section 4 of the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014. Despite these exemptions, the Scottish Government will adhere to the principles set out in the Scottish Procurement Policy Handbook, ensuring: -Value for Money (VfM) -Transparency, fairness, and accountability -Compliance with internal procurement policies and financial regulations.

Renewal: The Framework Agreement is anticipated to commence in July 2026 for an initial period of 36 months, with the option to extend for one further 12-month period.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-r6ebe6-0000815799
Publication Source
Public Contracts Scotland
Latest Notice
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=JAN548234
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Planning, Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
OJEU - F2 - Contract 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

66 - Financial and insurance services


CPV Codes

66100000 - Banking and investment services

66110000 - Banking services

66120000 - Investment banking services and related services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£5,000,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
28 Jan 20263 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
16 Feb 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
28 Jan 2026Expired
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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT
Contact Name
Debra MacLeod
Contact Email
debra.macleod@gov.scot, kerry.gubbins@gov.scot
Contact Phone
+44 412425466

Buyer Location

Locality
GLASGOW
Postcode
G2 8LU
Post Town
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 North

Further Information

Notice Documents

  • https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=DEC545191
    DFSED-SG Bonds Bookrunners - The Scottish Government is seeking to appoint external service providers to assist in accessing the sterling public bond market. From 2016, the Scottish Government's annual limit for Capital Borrowing has been GBP 450 million, with a cumulative limit of GBP 3 billion. The 2023 Fiscal Framework review increased these limits in line with inflation, and the Scottish Government has been reviewing its capital borrowing policy options under these new limits. On 4 December 2024, the Scottish Government published a memorandum detailing the outcome of the initial due diligence and its updated capital borrowing policy in the context of the revised Fiscal Framework limits. The key objectives for the issuance of bonds includes diversifying capital funding sources, enhancing fiscal sustainability, raising Scotland's profile among financial investors, and developing institutional fiscal discipline. On 12th November 2025 Moody's Investors Service and Standard & Poor's assigned inaugural credit ratings for the Scottish Government of Aa3/AA respectively, both with a stable outlook. The strength and diversity of Scotland's economy, its strong institutional framework, as well as the Scottish Government's prudent financial management and low levels of debt are factors highlighted in the agencies' reports. A GBP 1.5 billion programme is expected to commence over the next parliament, with a debut benchmark bond issuance currently anticipated for late 2026 or early 2027, subject to the outcome of the Scottish Parliament election, in-year borrowing requirements and market conditions. The Scottish Government intends to host a Supplier Information Day at Scotland House, London, during the last week of January. Further details can be found in the Additional Information section of this Prior Information Notice (PIN).
  • https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=JAN548234
    DFSED-SG Bond Bookrunners - The Scottish Government is seeking to appoint external service providers to assist in accessing the sterling public bond market. From 2016, the Scottish Government's annual limit for Capital Borrowing has been GBP 450 million, with a cumulative limit of GBP 3 billion. The 2023 Fiscal Framework review increased these limits in line with inflation, and the Scottish Government has been reviewing its capital borrowing policy options under these new limits. On 4 December 2024, the Scottish Government published a memorandum detailing the outcome of the initial due diligence and its updated capital borrowing policy in the context of the revised Fiscal Framework limits. The key objectives for the issuance of bonds includes diversifying capital funding sources, enhancing fiscal sustainability, raising Scotland's profile among financial investors, and developing institutional fiscal discipline. On 12th November 2025 Moody's Investors Service and Standard & Poor's assigned inaugural credit ratings for the Scottish Government of Aa3/AA respectively, both with a stable outlook. The strength and diversity of Scotland's economy, its strong institutional framework, as well as the Scottish Government's prudent financial management and low levels of debt are factors highlighted in the agencies' reports. A GBP 1.5 billion programme is expected to commence over the next parliament, with a debut benchmark bond issuance currently anticipated for late 2026 or early 2027, subject to the outcome of the Scottish Parliament election, in-year borrowing requirements and market conditions.

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