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FTS051 Research, Appraisal, Delivery and Support Framework - Lot 1 Support, Appraisal and Delivery

Highlands and Islands Enterprise

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

TenderUpdate

22 Jul 2026 at 01:00

OJEU - F14 - Corrigendum
Tender

13 Jul 2026 at 01:00

OJEU - F2 - Contract Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Highlands and Islands Enterprise is procuring strategic and operational advisory services through Lot 1 of its Research, Appraisal, Delivery and Support Framework. The requirement covers planning support, benefits realisation, business case development, impact assessments, options appraisal, feasibility studies, reviews, evaluations, socio-economic analysis and performance measurement. It is a services opportunity for organisations able to provide research, consultancy, appraisal and delivery support to public-sector and economic-development programmes. Highlands and Islands Enterprise is the primary user, with access also available to South of Scotland Enterprise, Wave Energy Scotland, HIE Orkney, HIE Ventures, Cairngorm Mountain and other organisations controlled or funded by HIE. Services are to be delivered across Scotland, including the Highlands and Islands and the South of Scotland.

The buyer has reached the tender stage and invited offers through an open procedure, with electronic submission required. This is Lot 1 of a two-lot framework; suppliers can tender for one or both lots, and the framework may appoint up to eight participants. Lot 1 is estimated at £1,820,000, while the stated maximum value across both lots is £3,200,000. The framework is intended to start in November 2026 for three years, with an option to extend by up to one further year. Tenders must be received by 26 August 2026 at 12:00, and must remain valid for 90 days. Evaluation includes a 40% price weighting, a pass/fail prompt-payment requirement and quality scoring subject to a minimum threshold. Variants are not allowed.

This opportunity suits established management consultancy, economics, research, evaluation and programme-delivery firms with experience of strategic planning, business cases, feasibility work, impact assessment, benefits realisation and socio-economic analysis. Bidders must provide the names and qualifications of staff proposed for the work, so a suitably qualified delivery team is important. Suppliers must hold, or commit to obtain before framework work begins, professional indemnity insurance of £5 million per claim, employers’ liability insurance of £5 million per claim and public liability insurance of £1 million per claim. Firms using subcontractors need resilient supply-chain management and tracking systems. They must also pay at least 95% of valid invoices on time or provide an acceptable improvement plan. Community benefits form part of the requirement.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

FTS051 Research, Appraisal, Delivery and Support Framework - Lot 1 Support, Appraisal and Delivery

Notice Description

The Research, Appraisal, Delivery and Support (RADS) Framework is divided into two lots: -Lot 1 Support, Appraisal and Delivery -Lot 2 Research This notice relates solely to Lot 1 of the two-lot framework procurement. Separate Public Contracts Scotland (PCS) notices have been published for each Lot, each with the description 'FTS051 Research, Appraisal, Delivery and Support Framework'. The estimated value of Lot 1 is GBP 1,820,000. The total estimated value of the framework across Lots 1 and 2 is GBP 3,200,000, which is the value stated in this notice. Suppliers may tender for, and be appointed to, one or both Lots. Lot 1 covers strategic and operational planning support, benefits realisation, business case development, impact assessments, options appraisal, feasibility studies, reviews, evaluations, socio-economic analysis and performance measurement.

Lot Information

Lot 1

The framework will be let from November 2026 for a period of 3 years, unless terminated in accordance with the provisions of the Framework Agreement, with HIE having the option to extend for a further period or periods together no exceeding 1 year. Although HIE will be the primary user, the Framework (both lots) will also be available for use by South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE), Wave Energy Scotland Limited (WES), HIE Orkney, HIE Ventures Ltd (HIEVL), Cairngorm Mountain (Scotland) Ltd (CMSL), as well as any other Contracting Authority wholly or partly under the control of, or funded by HIE, at any point during the term of this Framework (subject to case-by-case approval by HIE). Each Framework User listed above will enter into a direct contract with the Framework Suppliers on the same terms and conditions as those applying between HIE and the Framework Suppliers. The Framework will be non-exclusive, Framework Users reserve the right, in certain circumstances, to procure services out with the Framework, where required.. Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in Regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015.

Options: HIE reserves the right, on giving reasonable written notice from time to time, to require changes to the Services under the Framework Agreement, including the removal of Services, the addition of new Services, increases or decreases to the Services, or changes to the order in which the Services are to be performed or the locations where the Services are to be provided. HIE shall not require any such change other than where it is permitted by Regulation 72 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015. Framework Users may also modify their own call-off contracts where permitted by Regulation 72 and in accordance with the terms of the relevant call-off contract. The Framework Agreement and/or call-off contracts may be modified where permitted by Regulation 72 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015 and in accordance with the terms of the relevant agreement or contract. Such modifications may include, but are not limited to the following circumstances: -Changes to budget availability. -Where a Framework User brings the services in-house (fully or partially) such that the services are no longer required or reduced services are required. -Reduction or removal of services are required for example where services are no longer required due to changes in organisational strategy or priorities -Cancellation or pausing of a call-off contract due to changes in project status. -The addition of similar services, for example due to increased demand, where significant inconvenience and/or substantial duplication of costs to the Framework User can be avoided. -Increases to the volume of the services required. -Change in legislative requirements resulting in increased, reduced or amended services. -Where demand under one Lot is lower than anticipated and requirements are instead commissioned under the other Lot, subject always to the overall maximum Framework value not being exceeded.

Renewal: It is anticipated that the framework will be let from November 2026 for a period of 3 years, unless terminated in accordance with the provisions of the Framework Agreement, with HIE having the option to extend for a further period or periods together no exceeding 1 year

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-r6ebe6-0000835578
Publication Source
Public Contracts Scotland
Latest Notice
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=JUL560693
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
OJEU - F14 - Corrigendum
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

72 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

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

CPV Codes

71241000 - Feasibility study, advisory service, analysis

71620000 - Analysis services

72221000 - Business analysis consultancy services

72224000 - Project management consultancy services

72316000 - Data analysis services

79310000 - Market research services

79311410 - Economic impact assessment

79313000 - Performance review services

79314000 - Feasibility study

79400000 - Business and management consultancy and related services

79410000 - Business and management consultancy services

79411100 - Business development consultancy services

79412000 - Financial management consultancy services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£3,200,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£3,200,000 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
22 Jul 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
20 Aug 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
HIE reserves the right to re-tender for these services upon termination of the contract or at the end of the contract period, including any extension period.

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Highlands and Islands Enterprise
Additional Buyers

Cairngorm Mountain (Scotland) Ltd

HIE Orkney

HIE Ventures Ltd.

South of Scotland Enterprise

Wave Energy Scotland Limited

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

Buyer Location

Locality
INVERNESS
Postcode
IV2 5NA
Postcode Area
Inverness
Country
Scotland
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLM Scotland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLM2 Highlands and Islands
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLM20 Highlands and Islands
Delivery Location
TLM6 Highlands and Islands, TLM9 Southern Scotland
Local Authority
Highland
Electoral Ward
Inverness South
Westminster Constituency
Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire

Further Information

Notice Documents

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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