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Directorate for Education Review Of Sabhal Mor Ostaig

Scottish Government

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

30 Jul 2026 at 01:00

PCS Notice - Website Contract Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Scottish Government is commissioning independent social research to support its statutory review of Sabhal Mòr Ostaig (SMO), Scotland’s national centre for Gaelic language, education and culture. The work covers SMO’s funding, stakeholder views, status and future development, providing evidence for ministerial decisions on its strategic direction. The review will consider improvements to SMO’s functions and operating model, financial sustainability and income generation, and strategic impact. This is a research and evaluation services contract, classified under CPV 79315000. Delivery is in Scotland. The requirement is particularly relevant to organisations able to combine social research, evidence gathering and analysis with knowledge of Gaelic language, education, culture and identity, and the Scottish post-school education, training and skills sector.

The procurement reached tender: the Scottish Government invited offers through an open procedure, with electronic submission. Bids were due by 28 August 2026 at 12:00, with public opening at the same time, and bids must remain valid for 180 days. The contract is valued at £90,000 excluding any applicable tax and runs from 28 September 2026 to 31 March 2027. The buyer may extend it by up to two one-month periods where necessary for exceptional circumstances or contingency, with any extension ending no later than 31 May 2027. The award will identify the most economically advantageous service provider using price and quality criteria. The Scottish Single Procurement Document is assessed on a pass/fail basis, while quality questions use a scored evaluation from unacceptable to excellent.

This opportunity suits independent research consultancies, universities, evaluation specialists and collaborative teams with experience of robust, evidence-based social research and reporting for public bodies. Strong bidders will be able to analyse funding and financial information, gather and interpret stakeholder views, and turn findings into clear recommendations about organisational strategy, operating models, sustainability and impact. Collaborative bids are welcomed, particularly partnerships bringing together expertise in Gaelic language, education, culture and identity; further and higher education, training and skills in Scotland; and financial review and analysis. Bidders must commit to paying staff delivering the services at least the real Living Wage. They must also meet the required insurance levels: £1 million professional indemnity, £5 million employer’s liability and £1 million public liability. Supply-chain systems, subcontracting arrangements and payment performance must be evidenced where relevant.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Directorate for Education Review Of Sabhal Mor Ostaig

Notice Description

The Scottish Government, on behalf of the Scottish Ministers, is commissioning independent social research for the Scottish Government's review of Sabhal Mor Ostaig (SMO).

Lot Information

Lot 1

The Scottish Languages Bill was passed by the Scottish Parliament in June 2025. The Bill received Royal Assent on 31 July 2025 and became an Act of Parliament on 1 August 2025. The regulations activate Section 32 of the Act in full on 15 September 2026, triggering the legal obligation on Scottish Ministers to carry out a review of SMO. It also starts the statutory timetable of 12 months during which Scottish Ministers must complete the review and use it to inform a report which must then be published and laid before the Scottish Parliament. A key aim of the review is to provide robust evidence based research findings. It will focus on SMO's funding and collate stakeholder views on its status and future development. This will inform ministerial decisions on strategic direction, including where enhancements to SMO's functions, operating model (including improved ways of working), financial sustainability (including income generation), and strategic impact could provide greatest value and strengthen SMO's role a as Scotland's national centre for Gaelic language, education and culture.. Collaborative bids are welcomed, particularly those combining expertise in Gaelic language, education, culture and identity; post-school education, training and skills in Scotland in particular further and higher education; and the review, analysis and reporting of financial information.

Renewal: Only where necessary due to any exceptional circumstances or for contingency purposes, the contract may be extended by up to two one-month periods, with any extension ending no later than 31 May 2027.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-r6ebe6-0000838710
Publication Source
Public Contracts Scotland
Latest Notice
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=JUL561206
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
PCS Notice - Website 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

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

CPV Codes

79315000 - Social research services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£90,000 Under £100K
Lots Value
£90,000 Under £100K
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
30 Jul 20262 months ago
Submission Deadline
28 Aug 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
28 Sep 2026 - 31 Mar 2027 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

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
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
TLM Scotland
Local Authority
Glasgow City
Electoral Ward
Anderston/City/Yorkhill
Westminster Constituency
Glasgow North

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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