Planning

Operators Panel Manager for the Scottish Wave & Tidal Operators Agreement

CROWN ESTATE SCOTLAND

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

27 Feb 2026 at 00:00

OJEU - F1 - Prior Information Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Crown Estate Scotland is conducting a procurement process to appoint an independent consultant to serve as the Operators Panel Manager (OPM) for the Scottish Wave and Tidal Operators Agreement. This task aims to manage and coordinate operators, chair the Operators Panel, and oversee the Agreement's continuous functions. This procurement is classified under "Environmental protection" and falls under the services category, with remote delivery primarily in Scotland and in-person meetings required within the Scottish Central Belt. Presently in the planning stage, this process is supported by Scotland Excel, with a timeline that includes a deadline for questionnaire responses by 9 March 2026. A future notice is anticipated on 16 March 2026. Key aspects include supporting technical work programmes and coordinating working groups, ensuring governance processes are maintained, and assessing industry capabilities and capacities.

This tender offers significant opportunities for business growth, particularly for consultants and firms experienced in environmental management and marine energy governance. Businesses specialising in consultancy services related to technical management, project coordination, and environmental impact assessments would find themselves well-suited to compete in this tender. The contracting body, Crown Estate Scotland, manages land, coastline, seabed, and property on behalf of the Scottish populace, focusing on generating long-term value. The tender encourages interested businesses to complete a questionnaire which will inform the final scope, structure, and commercial model of the upcoming tender. This process allows businesses to contribute to shaping a procurement contract aligned with sector needs, fostering collaboration in developing cutting-edge marine energy projects.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Operators Panel Manager for the Scottish Wave & Tidal Operators Agreement

Notice Description

Crown Estate Scotland intends to appoint an independent consultant to act as the Operators Panel Manager (OPM) for the Scottish Wave and Tidal Operators Agreement. The OPM will chair and manage the Operators Panel, coordinate Operators, and oversee business-as-usual functions of the unified Agreement (in place since October 2024). Key tasks include reinstating and chairing the Panel(s), managing technical work programmes, supporting the ongoing review and consolidation of the Agreements, coordinating technical workstreams (TWG/WWG), monitoring progress of model-development projects such as UPSTREAM and TEAMER, and reviewing Operator Adverse Impact Assessments.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Crown Estate Scotland (CES) manages land, coastline, seabed and property on behalf of the Scottish people, with a remit to generate long-term economic, social and environmental value. CES intends to establish a contract for an independent Operators Panel Manager (OPM) to support the governance, coordination and operation of the Scottish Wave and Tidal Operators Agreement. The Agreement provides the governance framework through which marine energy developers interact, ensure that early developers' resource rights are protected, and manage potential impacts between neighbouring developments. The unified Agreement, completed with Operator input during 2023-2024, sets out the requirements that new projects must meet to limit adverse impacts on existing projects. The appointed OPM will act as an independent, neutral facilitator responsible for chairing the Scottish Wave and Tidal Power Operators Panel; maintaining agreed governance processes; coordinating Operators, Technical Experts and CES representatives; and presenting issues neutrally. Core responsibilities include: managing documentation, minutes, actions and stakeholder communications; supporting or managing technical Working Groups, including the Tidal Working Group and Wave Working Group; reviewing Operator Impact Assessments and supporting CES in interpreting associated implications; providing light-touch monitoring or summary reporting on external research or technical projects (e.g. UPSTREAM and TEAMER); and supporting the continued development of guidance to assist Operators in discharging obligations under the Agreement. The level of activity will vary over the contract term depending on sector developments and the needs of Operators and CES. In-person attendance at meetings is typically required within one to two weeks' notice and will generally take place within the Scottish Central Belt. The current OPM contract expires on 04 July 2026. CES requires a six-week mobilisation period prior to this date. The proposed contract structure is an initial two-year term with options to extend for up to a further three years (2 + 2 + 1), aligned to CES' Corporate Plan. This Prior Information Notice (PIN) aims to assess market interest, supplier capability and capacity, identify delivery challenges or conflicts of interest, and gather feedback to inform the final scope, structure and commercial model of the forthcoming tender. Participation in the PIN is voluntary and will not be evaluated for award purposes. Please see the provided "PIN Description" document for further information. The questionnaire is accessible at the following link - https://www.cognitoforms.com/ScotlandExcel1/OnBehalfOfCrownEstateScotlandPINQuestionnaireOperatorsPanelManagerForTheScottishWaveTidalOperatorsAgree. CES is issuing this PIN to gather supplier views on capability, capacity, risks and pricing needs. Participation is voluntary and will not form part of any future evaluation. A questionnaire is provided, with responses requested by 09 March 2026 at 12:00. Non-respondents may still participate in any subsequent open procedure.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-r6ebe6-0000825034
Publication Source
Public Contracts Scotland
Latest Notice
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=FEB550591
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
OJEU - F1 - Prior Information Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
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

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

90 - Sewage, refuse, cleaning and environmental services

CPV Codes

71356300 - Technical support services

71621000 - Technical analysis or consultancy services

73220000 - Development consultancy services

79421000 - Project-management services other than for construction work

90700000 - Environmental services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
27 Feb 20263 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
16 Mar 20262 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planned
Lots Status
Planned
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

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

Further Information

Notice Documents

  • https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=FEB550591
    Operators Panel Manager for the Scottish Wave & Tidal Operators Agreement - Crown Estate Scotland intends to appoint an independent consultant to act as the Operators Panel Manager (OPM) for the Scottish Wave and Tidal Operators Agreement. The OPM will chair and manage the Operators Panel, coordinate Operators, and oversee business-as-usual functions of the unified Agreement (in place since October 2024). Key tasks include reinstating and chairing the Panel(s), managing technical work programmes, supporting the ongoing review and consolidation of the Agreements, coordinating technical workstreams (TWG/WWG), monitoring progress of model-development projects such as UPSTREAM and TEAMER, and reviewing Operator Adverse Impact Assessments.

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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