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Provision of Banking & Merchant Services

South Ayrshire Council

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

14 Oct 2026 at 01:00

OJEU - F2 - Contract Notice
Summary of the contracting process

South Ayrshire Council is seeking banking and merchant services for its council operations in Ayr and across South Ayrshire. The requirement is split into two lots. Banking services cover day-to-day bank accounts, cash and liquidity management, payment processing and associated treasury support. Merchant services cover secure acceptance, processing and settlement of card payments across council service areas and customer payment channels. Suppliers may bid for either or both lots. The buyer is South Ayrshire Council, a local authority. The merchant services requirement is particularly suited to providers able to support reliable card payment infrastructure across multiple service areas and payment channels; the banking lot suits providers with the operational capability to manage routine public-sector banking and treasury-related services.

The buyer invited offers through an open procedure. Bids were due by 12:00 on 26 November 2026, with the evaluation period scheduled to begin at that time. The contract is divided into two lots: banking services and merchant services. Each lot has a stated contract duration of 1,800 days, with an option to renew for a further two years. Quality and price each carry equal weighting at 50% for both lots. Tenderers may bid for both lots, and variant bids are not allowed. For Lot 2, suppliers must hold, or commit to obtain before the contract starts, Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) accreditation or an equivalent certification. Bid validity is 120 days. The procurement is expected to recur, with a further competition anticipated in approximately seven years.

The opportunity suits established financial-services providers with the capacity to deliver dependable day-to-day banking, account administration, cash and liquidity management, payment processing and treasury support for a local authority. Providers focused on merchant acquiring and payment technology may find Lot 2 relevant if they can securely accept, process and settle card transactions across varied council services and customer channels. A business can pursue either specialism or compete across both lots. Merchant-services bidders need PCI DSS accreditation or an equivalent certification, or a credible commitment to obtain it before contract commencement. The buyer will assess quality and price equally, so suppliers should be prepared to demonstrate both service capability and competitive commercial terms. The substantial multi-year service commitment is suited to organisations able to sustain reliable operations and support throughout the contract.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Provision of Banking & Merchant Services

Notice Description

South Ayrshire Council (the Council) has a requirement to establish a contract for the delivery of Banking Services and Merchant Services via two (2) lots. Lot 1 - Banking Services. The provision of day-to-day banking services, including bank accounts, cash management, liquidity management, payment processing and associated treasury support services. Lot 2 - Merchant Services. The provision of merchant services to facilitate the secure acceptance, processing and settlement of card payments across a range of Council service areas and customer payment channels.

Lot Information

Banking Services

The provision of day-to-day banking services, including bank accounts, cash management, liquidity management, payment processing and associated treasury support services.

Renewal: + 2 years

Merchant Services

The provision of merchant services to facilitate the secure acceptance, processing and settlement of card payments across a range of Council service areas and customer payment channels.

Renewal: + 2 years

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-r6ebe6-0000845730
Publication Source
Public Contracts Scotland
Latest Notice
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=OCT566679
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

CPV Codes

66000000 - Financial and insurance services

66100000 - Banking and investment services

66111000 - Central bank services

Notice Value(s)

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

Notice Dates

Publication Date
14 Oct 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
26 Nov 20262 months to go
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Yes, this is a recurrent procurement and will be advertised again in approximately seven (7) years

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
South Ayrshire Council
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
AYR
Postcode
KA7 1DR
Postcode Area
Kilmarnock
Country
Scotland
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLM Scotland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLM9 Southern Scotland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLM94 South Ayrshire
Delivery Location
TLM94 South Ayrshire
Local Authority
South Ayrshire
Electoral Ward
Ayr West
Westminster Constituency
Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock

Further Information

Notice Documents

  • https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=OCT566679
    Provision of Banking & Merchant Services - South Ayrshire Council (the Council) has a requirement to establish a contract for the delivery of Banking Services and Merchant Services via two (2) lots. Lot 1 - Banking Services. The provision of day-to-day banking services, including bank accounts, cash management, liquidity management, payment processing and associated treasury support services. Lot 2 - Merchant Services. The provision of merchant services to facilitate the secure acceptance, processing and settlement of card payments across a range of Council service areas and customer payment channels.

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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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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