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Advice Services - Welfare Rights & Debt Recovery

Argyll and Bute Council

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

21 Oct 2026 at 01:00

PCS Notice - Website Contract Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Argyll and Bute Council is seeking one provider to deliver free debt counselling and welfare rights advice for people resident in the Argyll and Bute Council area who are vulnerable when they seek help. The service is intended to prevent problems and intervene when they arise, and will sit alongside advice from national and local free advice services, the Council and its partners, and other third-party agencies. The work covers advice services (CPV 85312310) and is to be delivered across Argyll and Bute. The provider must deliver the service in line with the Scottish National Standards for Information and Advice Providers, or equivalent standards, and hold accreditation under the relevant schemes administered or introduced by the Scottish Legal Aid Board.

The Council invited offers through an open procedure for a single-provider contract. The procurement has reached the tender stage. Bids were to be submitted electronically by 20 November 2026 at 12:00; the award period was due to start at that time. The contract is for 360 days, with an option to extend for up to three additional years. The estimated contract value is £211,000. This is a single-lot procurement, and variant bids are not permitted. Suitability is the stated selection criterion, with details referred to in the invitation to tender. The contract notice also says TUPE may apply, and that any employee information subsequently received from the incumbent would be shared with tenderers.

This opportunity suits an advice provider able to deliver both debt counselling and welfare rights advice to people in vulnerable circumstances across Argyll and Bute. Suppliers will need credible capability in prevention and intervention, and the capacity to provide the service as a single provider while working alongside public, local and third-sector advice services. Compliance with the Scottish National Standards for Information and Advice Providers is required, together with accreditation under relevant Scottish Legal Aid Board schemes or equivalent standards. The stated service is free to its users, so suppliers should be equipped to deliver advice without charging service users. The possibility of transferring incumbent staff may also be relevant to workforce planning. The procurement refers suppliers to the invitation to tender for the detailed suitability requirements.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Advice Services - Welfare Rights & Debt Recovery

Notice Description

1.1. The Council is seeking a single provider of free debt counselling and welfare rights advice with a particular focus on prevention and intervention to people resident in the Argyll and Bute Council area who are vulnerable at the point of access. 1.2. This service will form part of a range of advice services, which will comprise services delivered by free national/local advice resources; the Council/its Partners; other third party agencies and the Provider of the services detailed in this contract. 1.3. This service will be provided in line with the Scottish National Standards for Information and Advice Providers (SNSIAP) and the provider will be accredited by the relevant schemes as administered and introduced by the Scottish Legal Aid Board or equivalent standards.

Lot Information

Lot 1

1.1. The Council is seeking a single provider of free debt counselling and welfare rights advice with a particular focus on prevention and intervention to people resident in the Argyll and Bute Council area who are vulnerable at the point of access. 1.2. This service will form part of a range of advice services, which will comprise services delivered by free national/local advice resources; the Council/its Partners; other third party agencies and the Provider of the services detailed in this contract. 1.3. This service will be provided in line with the Scottish National Standards for Information and Advice Providers (SNSIAP) and the provider will be accredited by the relevant schemes as administered and introduced by the Scottish Legal Aid Board or equivalent standards.. 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.

Renewal: The contract may be extended for up to 3 additional years.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-r6ebe6-0000846199
Publication Source
Public Contracts Scotland
Latest Notice
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=OCT567040
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

85 - Health and social work services

CPV Codes

85312310 - Guidance services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£211,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
21 Oct 20266 days ago
Submission Deadline
20 Nov 20264 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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Argyll and Bute 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
LOCHGILPHEAD
Postcode
PA31 8RT
Postcode Area
Paisley
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
TLM63 Lochaber, Skye and Lochalsh, Arran and Cumbrae, and Argyll and Bute, TLM81 East Dunbartonshire, West Dunbartonshire, and Helensburgh and Lomond
Local Authority
Argyll and Bute
Electoral Ward
Mid Argyll
Westminster Constituency
Argyll, Bute and South Lochaber

Further Information

Notice Documents

  • https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=OCT567040
    Advice Services - Welfare Rights & Debt Recovery - 1.1. The Council is seeking a single provider of free debt counselling and welfare rights advice with a particular focus on prevention and intervention to people resident in the Argyll and Bute Council area who are vulnerable at the point of access. 1.2. This service will form part of a range of advice services, which will comprise services delivered by free national/local advice resources; the Council/its Partners; other third party agencies and the Provider of the services detailed in this contract. 1.3. This service will be provided in line with the Scottish National Standards for Information and Advice Providers (SNSIAP) and the provider will be accredited by the relevant schemes as administered and introduced by the Scottish Legal Aid Board or equivalent standards.

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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