Flexible Framework Agreement for the Provision of Alcohol and Drug Recovery Services and Supports in South and East Ayrshire

South Ayrshire Council

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

02 Nov 2026 at 00:00

Summary of the contracting process

South Ayrshire Council is leading a joint procurement with East Ayrshire Council, on behalf of their local Alcohol and Drug Partnerships, for a flexible framework of alcohol and drug recovery services and support. The six service areas cover risk recognition, harm reduction and coordinated care; treatment and recovery; whole-family support, including young people; recovery communities; independent advocacy; and consultancy support. Services are for delivery in South Ayrshire. The framework is intended to let the partnerships commission call-off work or partnership agreements, either directly or through further competition. It is designed to accommodate new providers as well as existing framework providers seeking to add services. This is a social care and community support opportunity, rather than a supply of goods or construction work.

The councils invited tenders through an open procedure, with offers submitted electronically. The procurement has reached the tender stage; the submission deadline set by the buyer was 4 December 2026 at 12:00. The framework is divided into six lots, and suppliers may bid for any number of them. Each lot has a stated contract duration of 1,800 days. The estimated total value is £11.825 million. For every lot, evaluation is weighted 90% to quality and 10% to price. The tender also sets a 120-day bid validity period. The framework is intended to support future call-off contracts or partnership agreements, awarded directly or following a further competition.

This opportunity is suited to organisations with the expertise and operational capacity to deliver specialist alcohol and drug recovery services, and to providers able to support individuals, families and communities affected by substance use. The six separate service areas give providers scope to focus on relevant strengths, from treatment and harm reduction to advocacy, recovery communities or consultancy. Organisations may also seek entry to the framework with new services, while existing providers can apply to add further services or support. The councils are seeking suitably qualified providers capable of delivering high-quality support. Quality carries substantially more evaluation weight than price, so a strong service model and evidence of quality are commercially important. Community benefits are included in the requirement.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Flexible Framework Agreement for the Provision of Alcohol and Drug Recovery Services and Supports in South and East Ayrshire

Notice Description

This procurement exercise is a collaboration between South Ayrshire Council and East Ayrshire Council on behalf of the South Ayrshire Alcohol and Drug Partnership (SAADP) and the East Ayrshire Alcohol and Drug Partnership (EAADP), with South Ayrshire Council (the Council) acting as the lead contracting authority. The Council has a requirement to establish a multi-lot Flexible Framework Agreement (FFA) comprising of a range of suitably qualified Service Providers capable of delivering high-quality alcohol and drug recovery services and supports. The FFA is intended to create a flexible and sustainable framework through which the SAADP and EAADP can award call-off contracts and/or partnership agreements, either through direct award or by conducting a further competition. The scope of the FFA falls within the 'Social and Other Specific Services' category and is subject to the procurement regimes set out under the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015. As such, this "Light Touch Regime" allows a flexible approach which will permit new entrants to submit tender offers for inclusion of services and supports on the FFA or will allow existing Service Providers to apply for inclusion of new services or supports to the FFA.

Lot Information

Recognising Risk, Reducing Harm and Coordinating Care (Part A and B)

This procurement exercise is a collaboration between South Ayrshire Council and East Ayrshire Council on behalf of the South Ayrshire Alcohol and Drug Partnership (SAADP) and the East Ayrshire Alcohol and Drug Partnership (EAADP), with South Ayrshire Council (the Council) acting as the lead contracting authority. The Council has a requirement to establish a multi-lot Flexible Framework Agreement (FFA) comprising of a range of suitably qualified Service Providers capable of delivering high-quality alcohol and drug recovery services and supports. The FFA is intended to create a flexible and sustainable framework through which the SAADP and EAADP can award call-off contracts and/or partnership agreements, either through direct award or by conducting a further competition. The scope of the FFA falls within the 'Social and Other Specific Services' category and is subject to the procurement regimes set out under the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015. As such, this "Light Touch Regime" allows a flexible approach which will permit new entrants to submit tender offers for inclusion of services and supports on the FFA or will allow existing Service Providers to apply for inclusion of new services or supports to the FFA.

Treatment and Recovery

This procurement exercise is a collaboration between South Ayrshire Council and East Ayrshire Council on behalf of the South Ayrshire Alcohol and Drug Partnership (SAADP) and the East Ayrshire Alcohol and Drug Partnership (EAADP), with South Ayrshire Council (the Council) acting as the lead contracting authority. The Council has a requirement to establish a multi-lot Flexible Framework Agreement (FFA) comprising of a range of suitably qualified Service Providers capable of delivering high-quality alcohol and drug recovery services and supports. The FFA is intended to create a flexible and sustainable framework through which the SAADP and EAADP can award call-off contracts and/or partnership agreements, either through direct award or by conducting a further competition. The scope of the FFA falls within the 'Social and Other Specific Services' category and is subject to the procurement regimes set out under the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015. As such, this "Light Touch Regime" allows a flexible approach which will permit new entrants to submit tender offers for inclusion of services and supports on the FFA or will allow existing Service Providers to apply for inclusion of new services or supports to the FFA.

Whole Family Approach (including young people)

This procurement exercise is a collaboration between South Ayrshire Council and East Ayrshire Council on behalf of the South Ayrshire Alcohol and Drug Partnership (SAADP) and the East Ayrshire Alcohol and Drug Partnership (EAADP), with South Ayrshire Council (the Council) acting as the lead contracting authority. The Council has a requirement to establish a multi-lot Flexible Framework Agreement (FFA) comprising of a range of suitably qualified Service Providers capable of delivering high-quality alcohol and drug recovery services and supports. The FFA is intended to create a flexible and sustainable framework through which the SAADP and EAADP can award call-off contracts and/or partnership agreements, either through direct award or by conducting a further competition. The scope of the FFA falls within the 'Social and Other Specific Services' category and is subject to the procurement regimes set out under the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015. As such, this "Light Touch Regime" allows a flexible approach which will permit new entrants to submit tender offers for inclusion of services and supports on the FFA or will allow existing Service Providers to apply for inclusion of new services or supports to the FFA.

Recovery Communities

This procurement exercise is a collaboration between South Ayrshire Council and East Ayrshire Council on behalf of the South Ayrshire Alcohol and Drug Partnership (SAADP) and the East Ayrshire Alcohol and Drug Partnership (EAADP), with South Ayrshire Council (the Council) acting as the lead contracting authority. The Council has a requirement to establish a multi-lot Flexible Framework Agreement (FFA) comprising of a range of suitably qualified Service Providers capable of delivering high-quality alcohol and drug recovery services and supports. The FFA is intended to create a flexible and sustainable framework through which the SAADP and EAADP can award call-off contracts and/or partnership agreements, either through direct award or by conducting a further competition. The scope of the FFA falls within the 'Social and Other Specific Services' category and is subject to the procurement regimes set out under the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015. As such, this "Light Touch Regime" allows a flexible approach which will permit new entrants to submit tender offers for inclusion of services and supports on the FFA or will allow existing Service Providers to apply for inclusion of new services or supports to the FFA.

Independent Advocacy

This procurement exercise is a collaboration between South Ayrshire Council and East Ayrshire Council on behalf of the South Ayrshire Alcohol and Drug Partnership (SAADP) and the East Ayrshire Alcohol and Drug Partnership (EAADP), with South Ayrshire Council (the Council) acting as the lead contracting authority. The Council has a requirement to establish a multi-lot Flexible Framework Agreement (FFA) comprising of a range of suitably qualified Service Providers capable of delivering high-quality alcohol and drug recovery services and supports. The FFA is intended to create a flexible and sustainable framework through which the SAADP and EAADP can award call-off contracts and/or partnership agreements, either through direct award or by conducting a further competition. The scope of the FFA falls within the 'Social and Other Specific Services' category and is subject to the procurement regimes set out under the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015. As such, this "Light Touch Regime" allows a flexible approach which will permit new entrants to submit tender offers for inclusion of services and supports on the FFA or will allow existing Service Providers to apply for inclusion of new services or supports to the FFA

Consultancy Support

This procurement exercise is a collaboration between South Ayrshire Council and East Ayrshire Council on behalf of the South Ayrshire Alcohol and Drug Partnership (SAADP) and the East Ayrshire Alcohol and Drug Partnership (EAADP), with South Ayrshire Council (the Council) acting as the lead contracting authority. The Council has a requirement to establish a multi-lot Flexible Framework Agreement (FFA) comprising of a range of suitably qualified Service Providers capable of delivering high-quality alcohol and drug recovery services and supports. The FFA is intended to create a flexible and sustainable framework through which the SAADP and EAADP can award call-off contracts and/or partnership agreements, either through direct award or by conducting a further competition. The scope of the FFA falls within the 'Social and Other Specific Services' category and is subject to the procurement regimes set out under the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015. As such, this "Light Touch Regime" allows a flexible approach which will permit new entrants to submit tender offers for inclusion of services and supports on the FFA or will allow existing Service Providers to apply for inclusion of new services or supports to the FFA.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-r6ebe6-0000847294
Publication Source
Public Contracts Scotland
Latest Notice
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=NOV567898
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
OJEU - F2 - Contract Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
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

85312300 - Guidance and counselling services

85312310 - Guidance services

85312320 - Counselling services

85312500 - Rehabilitation services

85312510 - Vocational rehabilitation services

85323000 - Community health services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£11,825,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
2 Nov 2026Yesterday
Submission Deadline
4 Dec 20262 months to go
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Yes – further notices for any future generation of this Flexible Framework Agreement are expected to be published circa September 2031.

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
Additional Buyers

East 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=NOV567898
    Flexible Framework Agreement for the Provision of Alcohol and Drug Recovery Services and Supports in South and East Ayrshire - This procurement exercise is a collaboration between South Ayrshire Council and East Ayrshire Council on behalf of the South Ayrshire Alcohol and Drug Partnership (SAADP) and the East Ayrshire Alcohol and Drug Partnership (EAADP), with South Ayrshire Council (the Council) acting as the lead contracting authority. The Council has a requirement to establish a multi-lot Flexible Framework Agreement (FFA) comprising of a range of suitably qualified Service Providers capable of delivering high-quality alcohol and drug recovery services and supports. The FFA is intended to create a flexible and sustainable framework through which the SAADP and EAADP can award call-off contracts and/or partnership agreements, either through direct award or by conducting a further competition. The scope of the FFA falls within the 'Social and Other Specific Services' category and is subject to the procurement regimes set out under the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015. As such, this "Light Touch Regime" allows a flexible approach which will permit new entrants to submit tender offers for inclusion of services and supports on the FFA or will allow existing Service Providers to apply for inclusion of new services or supports to the FFA.

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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