This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

06 Jul 2026 at 00:00

Summary of the contracting process

The Scottish Government has issued a tender titled "DFH - Investment in Charitable Bonds" which is focused on bolstering the third sector's impact on Scotland’s economy and public services. This initiative, under the main category of services, contributes to the Affordable Housing Supply Programme in Scotland. The procurement process is currently in the tender stage with an open procedure, inviting electronic submissions through the specified portal. Key dates include a submission deadline on 11th August 2026 at 12:00 PM, and the award period commencing later that day. This opportunity is valued at £5,000,000 and aims to provide loan finance to Regional Social Landlords for the delivery of affordable housing as outlined in the Housing to 2040 Strategy.

Businesses specialising in financial services or those authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority are ideally positioned to benefit from this tender. The procurement seeks businesses with a strong financial standing, capable of complying with substantial insurance requirements and offering expertise in investment and loan management. This tender presents a significant opportunity for firms aiming to enhance their portfolio in public sector contracts, particularly those that can offer financial products designed to meet the social and economic objectives laid out by the Scottish Government. The process includes criteria that emphasise quality and price in equal measure, providing a platform for innovative financial solutions that aid in addressing Scotland's housing challenges.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

DFH - Investment in Charitable Bonds

Notice Description

The Scottish Government (SG) is committed to supporting the third sector in Scotland. The third sector has a direct impact on the growth of Scotland's economy, the wellbeing of its citizens and the improvement of its public services. The supply of affordable housing as set out in the Housing to 2040 Strategy is a high priority for the SG and Charitable Bonds contribute to the Affordable Housing Supply Programme through both the provision of loan finance to Regional Social Landlords (RSLs) and the distribution of Charitable Donations.

Lot Information

Lot 1

The successful Contractor will issue and promote limited recourse bonds open for investment by Scottish Ministers., Upon the Bonds' maturing (following a fixed term of between five and fifteen years), Subscribers will receive back their full investment plus a rate of return. The Bonds will allow Subscribers to receive a rate of return on the amount they invest in the Bonds, the rate of return being expressed as total gross interest to be paid on maturity of the Bonds. . A proportion of the money which the SG Invests in the Bonds will be used by the Contractor to fund one or more loans, at a commercial fixed rate of interest (and subject to a single repayment with compound interest over a period matching the term of the bond), to eligible Registered Social Landlords for the purposes of supporting the development of affordable housing in Scotland.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-r6ebe6-0000834870
Publication Source
Public Contracts Scotland
Latest Notice
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=JUL559451
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
OJEU - F2 - Contract Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
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

75 - Administration, defence and social security services


CPV Codes

66150000 - Financial markets administration services

66190000 - Loan brokerage services

75100000 - Administration services

Notice Value(s)

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

Notice Dates

Publication Date
6 Jul 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
11 Aug 20264 weeks to go
Future Notice Date
Not specified
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
EH6 6QQ
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
Not specified

Local Authority
City of Edinburgh
Electoral Ward
Leith
Westminster Constituency
Edinburgh North and Leith

Further Information

Notice Documents

  • https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=JUL559451
    DFH - Investment in Charitable Bonds - The Scottish Government (SG) is committed to supporting the third sector in Scotland. The third sector has a direct impact on the growth of Scotland's economy, the wellbeing of its citizens and the improvement of its public services. The supply of affordable housing as set out in the Housing to 2040 Strategy is a high priority for the SG and Charitable Bonds contribute to the Affordable Housing Supply Programme through both the provision of loan finance to Regional Social Landlords (RSLs) and the distribution of Charitable Donations.

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

JSON Markdown

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.

{
    "tag": [
        "compiled"
    ],
    "id": "ocds-r6ebe6-0000834870-2026-07-06T00:00:00Z",
    "date": "2026-07-06T00:00:00Z",
    "ocid": "ocds-r6ebe6-0000834870",
    "initiationType": "tender",
    "parties": [
        {
            "id": "org-22",
            "name": "Scottish Government",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "Scottish Government"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Victoria Quay, The Shore",
                "locality": "Edinburgh",
                "region": "UKM",
                "postalCode": "EH6 6QQ"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "email": "brody.johnston@gov.scot",
                "telephone": "+44 412425466",
                "url": "https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer",
                "centralPurchasingBody"
            ],
            "details": {
                "classifications": [
                    {
                        "id": "Ministry or any other national or federal authority, including their regional or local subdivisions",
                        "scheme": "TED_CA_TYPE"
                    },
                    {
                        "id": "01",
                        "description": "General public services",
                        "scheme": "COFOG"
                    }
                ],
                "url": "http://www.scotland.gov.uk"
            }
        },
        {
            "id": "org-19",
            "name": "Sheriff Court House",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "Sheriff Court House"
            },
            "address": {
                "locality": "Edinburgh"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "url": "http://"
            },
            "roles": [
                "reviewBody"
            ]
        }
    ],
    "buyer": {
        "name": "Scottish Government",
        "id": "org-22"
    },
    "tender": {
        "id": "Case 865168",
        "title": "DFH - Investment in Charitable Bonds",
        "description": "The Scottish Government (SG) is committed to supporting the third sector in Scotland. The third sector has a direct impact on the growth of Scotland's economy, the wellbeing of its citizens and the improvement of its public services. The supply of affordable housing as set out in the Housing to 2040 Strategy is a high priority for the SG and Charitable Bonds contribute to the Affordable Housing Supply Programme through both the provision of loan finance to Regional Social Landlords (RSLs) and the distribution of Charitable Donations.",
        "status": "active",
        "items": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "additionalClassifications": [
                    {
                        "id": "66150000",
                        "scheme": "CPV"
                    },
                    {
                        "id": "75100000",
                        "scheme": "CPV"
                    },
                    {
                        "id": "66190000",
                        "scheme": "CPV"
                    }
                ],
                "deliveryLocation": {
                    "description": "Scotland"
                },
                "deliveryAddresses": [
                    {
                        "region": "UK"
                    }
                ],
                "relatedLot": "1"
            }
        ],
        "value": {
            "amount": 5000000,
            "currency": "GBP"
        },
        "procurementMethod": "open",
        "procurementMethodDetails": "Open procedure",
        "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
        "submissionMethod": [
            "electronicSubmission"
        ],
        "submissionMethodDetails": "https://www.publictendersscotland.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/esop/pts-host/public/pts/web/login.html",
        "tenderPeriod": {
            "endDate": "2026-08-11T12:00:00Z"
        },
        "awardPeriod": {
            "startDate": "2026-08-11T14:00:00Z"
        },
        "documents": [
            {
                "id": "JUL559451",
                "documentType": "contractNotice",
                "title": "DFH - Investment in Charitable Bonds",
                "description": "The Scottish Government (SG) is committed to supporting the third sector in Scotland. The third sector has a direct impact on the growth of Scotland's economy, the wellbeing of its citizens and the improvement of its public services. The supply of affordable housing as set out in the Housing to 2040 Strategy is a high priority for the SG and Charitable Bonds contribute to the Affordable Housing Supply Programme through both the provision of loan finance to Regional Social Landlords (RSLs) and the distribution of Charitable Donations.",
                "url": "https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=JUL559451",
                "format": "text/html"
            }
        ],
        "lots": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "description": "The successful Contractor will issue and promote limited recourse bonds open for investment by Scottish Ministers., Upon the Bonds' maturing (following a fixed term of between five and fifteen years), Subscribers will receive back their full investment plus a rate of return. The Bonds will allow Subscribers to receive a rate of return on the amount they invest in the Bonds, the rate of return being expressed as total gross interest to be paid on maturity of the Bonds. . A proportion of the money which the SG Invests in the Bonds will be used by the Contractor to fund one or more loans, at a commercial fixed rate of interest (and subject to a single repayment with compound interest over a period matching the term of the bond), to eligible Registered Social Landlords for the purposes of supporting the development of affordable housing in Scotland.",
                "status": "active",
                "value": {
                    "amount": 5000000,
                    "currency": "GBP"
                },
                "awardCriteria": {
                    "criteria": [
                        {
                            "type": "quality",
                            "name": "Skills and Experience",
                            "description": "25"
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "price",
                            "description": "30"
                        }
                    ]
                },
                "hasOptions": false,
                "submissionTerms": {
                    "variantPolicy": "notAllowed"
                },
                "contractPeriod": {
                    "durationInDays": 1440
                },
                "hasRenewal": false
            }
        ],
        "bidOpening": {
            "date": "2026-08-11T14:00:00Z"
        },
        "communication": {
            "atypicalToolUrl": "https://www.publictendersscotland.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/esop/pts-host/public/pts/web/login.html"
        },
        "contractTerms": {
            "performanceTerms": "The successful supplier may be required to provide a Parent Company Guarantee"
        },
        "coveredBy": [
            "GPA"
        ],
        "otherRequirements": {
            "requiresStaffNamesAndQualifications": true
        },
        "selectionCriteria": {
            "criteria": [
                {
                    "type": "suitability",
                    "description": "suppliers must be authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority"
                },
                {
                    "type": "economic",
                    "description": "SPD 4B 4 - Bidders must demonstrate a Current Ratio of no less than 1.0. Current Ratio will be calculated as follows: net current assets divided by net current liabilities. There must be no qualification or contra-indication from any evidence provided in support of the bidders economic and financial standing. 4B5 - The bidder confirms they already have or can commit to obtain, prior to the commencement of the contract, the levels of insurance cover indicated below: Professional Risk Indemnity: 1000,000 GBP Employer's (Compulsory) Liability: 5,000,000 GBP Public Liability: 1,000,000 GBP Insurances must be kept for a minimum of 5 years after contract expiry date"
                },
                {
                    "type": "technical",
                    "minimum": "suppliers must be authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority"
                }
            ]
        },
        "submissionTerms": {
            "languages": [
                "en"
            ],
            "bidValidityPeriod": {
                "durationInDays": 180
            }
        },
        "classification": {
            "id": "66190000",
            "scheme": "CPV"
        },
        "hasRecurrence": false,
        "legalBasis": {
            "id": "32014L0024",
            "scheme": "CELEX"
        }
    },
    "language": "EN",
    "description": "Statement for 4B.5 It is a requirement of this contract that bidders hold or can commit to obtain prior to the commencement of any contract, the insurances indicated below: Employer's (Compulsory) Liability Insurance = 5 million GBP Public Liability Insurance = 1 million GBP Professional Indemnity Insurance = 1 million GBP SPD will be scored on a pass/fail basis. The contract award criteria will be Price 30%/Quality 70 %. Question Scoring Methodology for Award Criteria outlined in invitation to tender: 0 -- Unacceptable. Nil or inadequate response. Fails to demonstrate an ability to meet the requirement. 1 -- Poor. Response is partially relevant but generally poor. The response addresses some elements of the requirement but contains insufficient/limited detail or explanation to demonstrate how the requirement will be fulfilled. 2 -- Acceptable. Response is relevant and acceptable. The response addresses a broad understanding of the requirement but may lack details on how the requirement will be fulfilled in certain areas. 3 -- Good. Response is relevant and good. The response is sufficiently detailed to demonstrate a good understanding and provides details on how the requirements will be fulfilled. 4 -- Excellent. Response is completely relevant and excellent overall. Bidders must complete the SPD (Scotland) to demonstrate adherence to the Exclusion and Selection Criteria for this procurement. If there are named subcontractors/technicians upon which the bidder will rely to meet the selection criteria,these named parties must complete and reattach the SPD Supplier Response Form attached to SPD questions 2C.1.1 (Technicians) and 2D.1.2 (Subcontractors) on PCS-T. These parties must complete the first three sections of the SPD form, as well as any part of the section 4 selection criteria that the main bidder will rely upon the parties to fulfil. If parties have not yet been identified, this information may be required at a later date. Scottish Government reserves the right to request this information from relevant parties upon whom the main bidder will not rely to fulfil selection criteria. 4C.10 Bidders will be required to confirm whether they intend to sub-contract and if so, for what proportion of the contract. The buyer is using PCS-Tender to conduct this ITT exercise. The Project code is 32117. For more information see: http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/info/InfoCentre.aspx?ID=2343 A sub-contract clause has been included in this contract. For more information see: http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/info/InfoCentre.aspx?ID=2363 Community benefits are included in this requirement. For more information see: https://www.gov.scot/policies/public-sector-procurement/community-benefits-in-procurement/ A summary of the expected community benefits has been provided as follows: Community Benefits will be a scored Evaluation Criteria SGPT Community Benefits Guidance - June 2021 The tenderer must provide a Community Benefits proposal that is relevant to the subject matter of this contract and supports the Scottish Ministers' commitment to contributing to the social, economic & environmental well-being of the people of Scotland, as described in the specification. Tenderers should not provide details of any existing initiatives they already undertake as part of their day-to-day business and the community benefits proposed must be generated specifically for and as a result of this contract. Good answers will demonstrate to evaluators that the tenderer has a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter of this contract and how the proposed benefits will reflect the national outcomes described in the Specification. Proposals can be innovative but must be tangible and measurable, so that they can be monitored and reported throughout the contract. (SC Ref:834870)",
    "links": [
        {
            "rel": "canonical",
            "href": "https://api.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/v1/Notice?id=ocds-r6ebe6-0000834870"
        }
    ],
    "noticetype": "OJEU - F2 - Contract Notice"
}