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Award of ARE/001/26 - Understanding the Small Edible Horticultural Industry in Scotland

Scottish Government

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

18 May 2026 at 10:24

PCS Notice - Quick Quote Award
Summary of the contracting process

The Scottish Government, with its headquarters located in Edinburgh, has recently awarded a contract titled "Award of ARE/001/26 - Understanding the Small Edible Horticultural Industry in Scotland" under the services category. The award, finalized on 18th May 2026, engages SAOS Ltd as the supplier to conduct research and development services, specifically tailored towards understanding and enhancing the small-scale edible horticultural industry in Scotland. The project is part of the government's Vision for Agriculture, which aims to boost local food production to meet nutritional needs and increase resilience. The procurement process, categorised under the research and development services and related consultancy services (CPV code 73000000), reached the award stage, and the activity is expected to continue until 12th November 2026, providing a contract valued at GBP 49,917. The process was initiated as a tender and involved two bids, emphasizing competitiveness in procurement.

This tender creates an essential opportunity for businesses in the services sector, specifically those focusing on research and consultancy in agriculture and food production. It provides a unique chance for companies that excel in detailed industry analysis and have experience with small-scale producers to establish themselves as pivotal contributors to the growth of Scotland’s edible horticultural industry. Businesses that can adapt to varied business models and offer solutions to enhance sector diversity and productivity will find themselves in a favourable position to compete. Those already engaging with small producers, or who wish to expand into the Scottish horticultural market, will be particularly well-suited to leverage this opportunity to drive business growth and collaboration within the region's agricultural framework.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Award of ARE/001/26 - Understanding the Small Edible Horticultural Industry in Scotland

Notice Description

IntroductionThe Agriculture and Rural Economy Directorate of the Scottish Government would like to understand more about the small scale edible horticultural industry in Scotland.Background & ContextThe Vision for Agriculture sets out the Scottish Government's ambitions to produce high quality, nutritious, local food. Although the edible horticultural industry has long been recognised as producing high-quality food, the sector is varied and complex, and we are now seeking a greater understanding of the sector as a whole in order to identify potential gaps in support.Fruit and vegetables are important for nutrition, and are sectors in which Scotland produces less than its requirements. Increased production would therefore be positive, as would a diversity of businesses in this sector to provide resilience. However, it is currently unclear how significant the contribution made by small producers is, or has the potential to be, in terms of volume, affordability, and reliability.The Scottish Government has one dedicated horticultural support scheme, the Fruit and Vegetables Aid scheme. This scheme relies on collaboration with other producers, and has conditions attached which are perceived as not suitable for some of our smaller horticultural producers. The Scottish Government would like to now focus on those smaller producers, who are unlikely to claim for area based payments, to understand their businesses, in order to consider what potential support could be offered.These smaller producers may be selling their produce via a number of ways, including but not exclusive to box schemes, local independent retail, or to hospitality. Any business model should be considered as in scope of this study, providing they meet the definition set out in the next section.The Scottish Government seeks to understand the different business models which small horticulture producers follow. We wish to know what is successful, what causes failure and what contributions they make to Scotland's food supply.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-r6ebe6-0000827563
Publication Source
Public Contracts Scotland
Latest Notice
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=MAY555991
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
PCS Notice - Quick Quote Award
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

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

CPV Codes

73000000 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£49,917 Under £100K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
18 May 20264 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Scottish Government
Additional Buyers

Argyll and Bute Council

Clackmannanshire Council

Dumfries and Galloway Health Board

Fife Council

Forestry and Land Scotland

NHS Tayside

Perth & Kinross Council

Scottish Borders Housing Association

Scottish Enterprise

Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
GLASGOW
Postcode
G2 8LU
Postcode Area
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
Not specified
Local Authority
Glasgow City
Electoral Ward
Anderston/City/Yorkhill
Westminster Constituency
Glasgow North

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
17
Supplier Names

SAOS Ltd

Ipsos MORI

Akhter Computers Limited

SG PRO Cleaning Ltd

Traffic Data Collection Ltd

DTN Europe UK Limited

Bidwells

The Energy Landscape Ltd

MAN Truck & Bus UK Ltd

Quo Imus Limited

Midburn Joinery ltd

Perth Radio Taxis Limited

Northstar Media Limited

Avanos Medical UK Limited

Sirona Medical Limited

The Lines Between Ltd.

GC Insight Ltd

Further Information

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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