This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

12 Aug 2026 at 01:00

Summary of the contracting process

Accountant in Bankruptcy is procuring insolvency administration services through a single-provider framework agreement. The appointed provider will administer bankruptcy cases allocated by AiB, while AiB remains the appointed Trustee under the Bankruptcy (Scotland) Act 2016. Services cover Scotland, with occasional delivery elsewhere in the UK and, exceptionally, overseas. Work may include full administration of complex cases involving trading activity, self-employed or deceased debtors, legal entities, charitable incorporated organisations, foreign or tenanted property, property portfolios, land ownership and crofting. The requirement is for specialist insolvency services, classified under CPV 79211000. AiB is an Executive Agency of the Scottish Government responsible for administering statutory debt solutions including bankruptcy, Protected Trust Deeds and the Debt Arrangement Scheme.

The procurement reached tender: AiB invited offers using a restricted procedure, with electronic submission of the Single Procurement Document and selection-stage information. This notice covers the selection stage; candidates passing evaluation are to be invited to the Invitation to Tender stage on 6 October 2026. The deadline for selection responses was 15 September 2026 at 17:00. The framework has an initial 720-day contract period, with two optional 12-month extensions. Evaluation is pass/fail against suitability, economic and financial standing, and technical capability. Applicants must show a liquidity ratio of at least 1.0, positive net assets, required insurance cover, two similar contracts from the last three years, and specified insolvency qualifications. A single provider will be appointed.

This opportunity suits established insolvency practices able to administer Scottish bankruptcy cases consistently across a geographically dispersed service. Applicants need at least one Joint Insolvency Examination Board-qualified Insolvency Practitioner and at least one additional staff member with a Certificate of Proficiency and Personal Insolvency qualification, either already in place or available by contract commencement. Relevant experience must include at least two similar contracts delivered within the previous three years, from the public or private sector. Businesses should have sufficient financial resilience, insurance arrangements and operational infrastructure to manage demand-led case allocations. The requirement may involve complex estates and property or legal structures, so providers need appropriate specialist expertise, qualified staff and the capacity to meet AiB’s statutory and operational requirements.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

Insolvency Services to Accountant in Bankruptcy

Notice Description

Provision of Insolvency Services to Accountant in Bankruptcy.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Accountant in Bankruptcy (AiB) is an Executive Agency of the Scottish Government responsible for administering Scotland's statutory debt solutions. These include bankruptcy, Protected Trust Deeds and the Debt Arrangement Scheme. To support the delivery of its statutory functions, AiB intends to establish a single-provider Framework Agreement for the provision of Insolvency Services across Scotland. The appointed provider will deliver insolvency administration services for bankruptcy cases where AiB has been appointed Trustee under the Bankruptcy (Scotland) Act 2016. The provider will administer allocated cases on AiB's behalf, while AiB will remain the appointed Trustee throughout. The appointed provider will be expected to carry out the administration of cases in accordance with the Bankruptcy (Scotland) Act 2016 and any associated legislation, statutory guidance and operational instructions issued by AiB. An Operating Manual detailing the required bankruptcy administration processes will be provided to the successful provider. The Services are expected to be required primarily throughout Scotland. However, occasions may arise where service delivery is required elsewhere within the United Kingdom and, exceptionally, overseas. Tenderers must demonstrate that they possess the capability, capacity and operational infrastructure necessary to deliver the Services effectively and consistently, irrespective of geographical location. Between July 2022 and May 2026, approximately 3,179 insolvency cases were instructed, comprising 1,973 Debtor Applications and 1,206 Creditor Petitions. Under the proposed arrangements, AiB intends to retain the majority of Debtor Applications, with only more complex cases being allocated to the appointed provider. Forthcoming legislative changes may also result in a further reduction in the volume of cases allocated. Bidders should note that insolvency services are demand-led and historic volumes are provided for information only and do not constitute any guarantee of future case volumes or throughput. Complex cases may include cases that involve trading activity, self-employed debtors, deceased debtor estates, legal entities (including partnerships, trusts and incorporated bodies), Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisations (SCIOs), foreign property ownership, property portfolio ownership, tenanted property ownership, land ownership or crofting. The expectation for these cases would be for full administration. The Framework Agreement will be established for an initial period of two years with the option for AiB to extend for up to two further periods of twelve months each; subject to satisfactory performance and continued business need. This procurement is being conducted using the Restricted Procedure. This Contract Notice relates to the Selection Stage only. Interested economic operators are required to complete and submit the Single Procurement Document (SPD Scotland) and any associated selection-stage information by the stated deadline. As part of the SPD, applicants will be required to complete a Cyber Security Assessment through the Supply25 portal. The assessment will be used to inform AiB's evaluation of Applicants' quality assurance arrangements and cyber security capabilities Detailed information regarding the SPD, minimum requirements and evaluation methodology is contained within the "Selection Questionnaire (SQ) and Instructions for Applicants" document accompanying this Contract Notice. Only those candidates successfully shortlisted following evaluation of SPD responses will be invited to participate in the Invitation to Tender (ITT) stage.

Options: The Framework Agreement will be established for an initial period of two years, with the option to extend for up to two further periods of twelve-months.

Renewal: There are two optional 12-month extensions available.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-r6ebe6-0000839444
Publication Source
Public Contracts Scotland
Latest Notice
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=AUG562156
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
OJEU - F2 - Contract Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Restricted 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

79211000 - Accounting services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
12 Aug 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
15 Sep 20263 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
Accountant in Bankruptcy
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
KILWINNING
Postcode
KA13 6SA
Postcode Area
Kilmarnock
Country
Scotland

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLM Scotland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLM9 Southern Scotland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLM93 North Ayrshire and East Ayrshire
Delivery Location
TLM Scotland

Local Authority
North Ayrshire
Electoral Ward
Kilwinning
Westminster Constituency
North Ayrshire and Arran

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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