This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Tender

06 Jul 2026 at 01:00

Planning

20 Mar 2026 at 00:00

Summary of the contracting process

The Scottish Government has initiated an open tender process for a multi-supplier Framework Agreement titled "Building Standards Research and Technical Services Framework". Focused on general public services, this procurement falls under the services category and is designed to support the Building Standards Division of the Scottish Government. The contract, located in the UKM region, covers seven areas: Fire, Safety/Accessibility, Energy (Software, Tools and Methodology), Energy (Policy and Research), Environment and Sustainability, Structure, and Non-technical services. Submissions for this tender must be made electronically by 17th August 2026 at noon, with an award period commencing later that day. The framework aims to engage economic operators who can bid for any combination of lots, but there is no guarantee of service volume or value. The maximum estimated framework value is GBP 4,000,000, with call-off contracts awarded either directly or via mini-competition.

This tender presents an opportunity for businesses specialising in research, technical advisory services, policy development, structural engineering, and environmental consultancy to expand their portfolio by engaging in substantial public sector projects. Firms with a strong track record in energy efficiency, fire safety, or sustainability would be well-suited to compete. The Framework not only allows for direct awards but also encourages mini-competitions, providing various entry points for suppliers. With a focus on quality over price, as indicated by a 70% weighting in evaluation criteria, businesses excelling in technical performance and innovation have the optimal chance to benefit from this procurement opportunity. Furthermore, the inclusion of community benefits aligns with enhancing corporate social responsibility initiatives, attractiveness to businesses inclined towards impactful engagements.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

Building Standards Research and Technical Services Framework

Notice Description

The Authority intends to establish a multi-supplier Framework Agreement for the provision of research and technical services across seven lots. The Framework Agreement will be available for use by Scottish Government, Building Standards Division only and will enable the procurement of specialist support in the following areas: Lot 1: Fire Lot 2: Safety/Accessibility Lot 3: Energy (Software, Tools and Methodology) Lot 4: Energy (Policy and Research) Lot 5: Environment and Sustainability Lot 6: Structure Lot 7: Non-technical Economic operators may bid for one, several, or all lots. No guarantee is given as to the volume or value of services that may be awarded under the Framework Agreement. Call-off contracts will be awarded in accordance with the terms of the Framework Agreement. The estimated maximum framework value is GBP 4,000,000. Call-off contracts under the Framework Agreement may be awarded by either direct award or mini-competition in accordance with the framework terms and conditions. The Authority reserves the right to use either method as appropriate to the specific requirement.

Lot Information

Fire

Lot 1 covers the provision of research, analysis, and technical advisory services to support the development, review, and amendment of fire safety standards and associated technical guidance within the Scottish building standards system, particularly Section 2 (Fire) of the Domestic and Non-Domestic Technical Handbooks.

Renewal: Two periods of 12 months

Energy (Policy and Research)

Lot 4 covers policy focused research and analytical services relating to energy use, decarbonisation, and energy performance of buildings. This lot focuses on Section 6 of the of the Domestic and Non-Domestic Technical Handbooks. Outputs may inform amendments to regulations, updates to Technical Handbooks, supporting guidance, related policy, and consultation material.

Renewal: Two periods of 12 months

Environment and Sustainability

Lot 5 covers consultancy and research services relating to environmental performance and sustainability of buildings and the built environment. This lot focuses on Section 3 and Section 7 of the Domestic and Non-Domestic Technical Handbooks. Outputs may inform amendments to regulations, updates to Technical Handbooks, supporting guidance, and related policy and consultation material.

Renewal: Two periods of 12 months

Structure

Lot 6 covers structural engineering and structural safety consultancy services supporting building standards, technical guidance, and regulatory compliance. This lot focuses on Section 1 of the Domestic and Non-Domestic Technical Handbooks. Outputs may inform amendments to regulations, updates to Technical Handbooks, supporting guidance, and related policy and consultation material. Research within this lot will support the development of guidance and policy in relation to matters relating to building safety and structural integrity.

Renewal: Two periods of 12 months

Non-technical

Lot 7 covers the provision of overarching business and policy support services for Lots 1 to 6 to enable informed decision-making and effective policy development. The scope includes the delivery of detailed options appraisals to assess the feasibility of approaches against strategic objectives, alongside robust cost impact and benefit analysis to evaluate the financial, economic, and value-for-money implications of policy and technical proposals. 1.2. The Lot also encompasses stakeholder survey design, delivery, and engagement activities to gather evidence, insights, and feedback in support of policy development and refinement for Lots 1 to 6. In addition, suppliers will support the development and authoring of clear, accessible draft guidance and supporting materials, ensuring outputs are well-structured, evidence-based, and suitable for consultation, approval, and implementation within relevant organisational or regulatory contexts.

Renewal: Two Periods of 12 months

Safety/Accessibility

Lot 2 covers the intended research and outputs to support the development standards and guidance contained under Section 3 'Environment' and Section 4 'Safety' in relation to the accessibility and safety of new domestic and non-domestic buildings. Services will support the regulatory development, options appraisal, and cost impact modelling and assessment of the above themes. Outputs will inform the production of policy and consultation materials as well as amendments to regulations and updated technical handbook guidance.

Renewal: Two periods of 12 months

Energy (Software, Tools and Methodology)

Lot 3 covers the provision of technical services relating to energy related software, tools, and methodologies supporting compliance, modelling, and assessment within the Scottish building standards system.

Renewal: Two periods of 12 months

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-r6ebe6-0000827135
Publication Source
Public Contracts Scotland
Latest Notice
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=JUL559455
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

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


CPV Codes

71311000 - Civil engineering consultancy services

71313000 - Environmental engineering consultancy services

71314000 - Energy and related services

71314300 - Energy-efficiency consultancy services

71315200 - Building consultancy services

71317000 - Hazard protection and control consultancy services

71317100 - Fire and explosion protection and control consultancy services

71318000 - Advisory and consultative engineering services

73000000 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

73110000 - Research services

73210000 - Research consultancy services

79315000 - Social research services

Notice Value(s)

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

Notice Dates

Publication Date
6 Jul 20262 months ago
Submission Deadline
17 Aug 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
20 Apr 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
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
EDINBURGH
Postcode
Not specified
Postcode Area
Not specified
Country
Not specified

Major Region (ITL 1)
Not specified
Basic Region (ITL 2)
Not specified
Small Region (ITL 3)
Not specified
Delivery Location
TLM Scotland

Local Authority
Not specified
Electoral Ward
Not specified
Westminster Constituency
Not specified

Further Information

Notice Documents

  • https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/NoticeDownload/DownloadDocument.aspx?id=MAR552148&idx=4
    26th June 2026 - Supplier event question and answers, including a breakdown of the proposed lotting structure.
  • https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/NoticeDownload/DownloadDocument.aspx?id=MAR552148&idx=3
    26th June 2026 - Presentation from supplier event held on 24 June 2026.
  • https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=MAR552148
    Building Standards Research and Technical Services Framework - The Authority is considering commissioning a research framework to support the Building Standards Division. The Building Standards Division requires a series of research commissions over the next 36 - 48 months. Each commission relates to a specialist area and may require differing technical expertise, methodologies, and delivery timescales, and subsequent research activity may be required as findings emerge or policy needs evolve. The purpose of this Request for Information (RFI) is to understand the supplier market and, in particular, to seek feedback on how the requirement could be structured and lotted in any future Invitation to Tender (ITT). This RFI will inform the Authority's Sourcing Strategy and does not form part of any formal procurement process.
  • https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=JUL559455
    Building Standards Research and Technical Services Framework - The Authority intends to establish a multi-supplier Framework Agreement for the provision of research and technical services across seven lots. The Framework Agreement will be available for use by Scottish Government, Building Standards Division only and will enable the procurement of specialist support in the following areas: Lot 1: Fire Lot 2: Safety/Accessibility Lot 3: Energy (Software, Tools and Methodology) Lot 4: Energy (Policy and Research) Lot 5: Environment and Sustainability Lot 6: Structure Lot 7: Non-technical Economic operators may bid for one, several, or all lots. No guarantee is given as to the volume or value of services that may be awarded under the Framework Agreement. Call-off contracts will be awarded in accordance with the terms of the Framework Agreement. The estimated maximum framework value is GBP 4,000,000. Call-off contracts under the Framework Agreement may be awarded by either direct award or mini-competition in accordance with the framework terms and conditions. The Authority reserves the right to use either method as appropriate to the specific requirement.

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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