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Award of Provision of Guidance for addressing uncertainty in EIA post Wull Muir Ruling

Scottish Government

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

10 Aug 2026 at 15:51

PCS Notice - Quick Quote Award
Summary of the contracting process

The Scottish Government’s Planning Directorate commissioned specialist consultancy services to prepare draft guidance on addressing uncertainty in Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), following the Wull Muir ruling. The work concerns how uncertainty should be treated within EIA practice and the Scottish planning and consenting context. It is an environmental issues consultancy requirement, classified under CPV 90713000. The intended output is guidance to support robust assessment and sound decision-making on the likely significant environmental effects of development proposals. The buyer is the Scottish Government, with the requirement focused on Scottish planning authorities and the wider Scottish planning system. The selected supplier’s work is therefore relevant to environmental consultants, planning specialists and organisations experienced in EIA policy, practice or guidance.

This procurement has been awarded through a direct, non-competitive route to a single supplier. The tender record began on 8 July 2026. Fothergill Training & Consulting was awarded the contract on the basis of its specialist expertise and experience, for £8,250 including the stated GBP currency. The contract is recorded as active. The procurement was evaluated on the suitability of the supplier’s expertise rather than through competing bids: one bid was recorded. The requirement was treated as highly specialised, covering EIA practice, uncertainty in assessment and the Scottish planning and consenting context. The award rationale also cites direct Scottish experience, recognised EIA expertise, relevant research and guidance, and senior professional experience in policy and quality frameworks.

For future work of this kind, credible suppliers would need deep, demonstrable expertise in Environmental Impact Assessment, particularly the treatment of uncertainty in planning and consenting decisions. Relevant evidence would include work with Scottish planning authorities, practical understanding of the Scottish planning system, and experience developing guidance, research, training or capacity-building programmes. The selected supplier was valued for recognised leadership in EIA practice and systems, contributions to UK and international guidance and professional standards, and thought leadership on complex issues including proportionality, digital EIA and system improvement. Senior personnel with substantial sustainability, impact-assessment and EIA policy experience would strengthen a competitor’s case, as would the ability to turn technically complex practice into clear guidance for public-sector users.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Award of Provision of Guidance for addressing uncertainty in EIA post Wull Muir Ruling

Notice Description

The Scottish Government (SG) Planning Directorate (PD) would like to commission a suitably qualified and experienced contractor to prepare draft guidance on dealing with uncertainty in Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-r6ebe6-0000837865
Publication Source
Public Contracts Scotland
Latest Notice
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=AUG561989
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
PCS Notice - Quick Quote Award
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
The contract is awarded to a single supplier without competition.
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

90 - Sewage, refuse, cleaning and environmental services

CPV Codes

90713000 - Environmental issues consultancy services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£8,250 Under £100K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
10 Aug 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
10 Aug 20262 weeks ago
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

Angus Council

Clackmannanshire Council

Environmental Standards Scotland

Falkirk Council

Forestry and Land Scotland

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde

NHS Tayside

Perth & Kinross Council

Public Health Scotland

Registers of Scotland

Social Security 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
ALLOA
Postcode
EH6 6QQ
Postcode Area
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

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
22
Supplier Names

AECOM Limited

Access UK Ltd

Arcadis Consulting (UK) Limited

Auto Services Perth Ltd

BT PLC

Brownriggs

ESRI (UK)

ForgeFront

Form by Thought Ltd

Fothergill Training & Consulting

Fraser of Allander, University of Strathclyde

Hays Specialist Recruitment Ltd

Montagu Evans LLP

Nova Biomedical

Playscapes Scotland Ltd

Quo Imus Limited (trading as Qi Consulting)

Softcat Plc

TSJ DataTec Ltd

The Media Shop Scotland Ltd

Venesky Brown Ltd

WESTEND FLOORING SPECIALISTS LTD

YNG Media Group Ltd operating as Speakeasy Productions

Further Information

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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