---
title: "Independent investigation into higher education institution"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-05ad29"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-05ad29"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05ad29.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05ad29.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "SCOTTISH FUNDING COUNCIL"
published: "2025-10-10"
---

# Independent investigation into higher education institution

Buyer: SCOTTISH FUNDING COUNCIL  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-05ad29

[View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-05ad29)  
[Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05ad29.json)

## Summary

The Scottish Funding Council, as the contracting authority, initiated a tender for a service contract titled "Independent investigation into higher education institution". This project focuses on legal advisory and information services within the education industry, specifically to address financial challenges faced by a higher education institution. The procurement process reached the award stage under extreme urgency due to unforeseen events, utilising a limited procurement method without a prior call for competition. The contract, valued at £423,000, was signed on 14th April 2025, with BDO LLP being the awarded supplier. All services are to be conducted within the UKM region, aligning with classification under CPV codes such as investigation services and financial consultancy services.

This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses specialising in legal, financial consultancy, or investigative services, particularly those capable of responding swiftly to urgent demands. Large enterprises familiar with complex investigations and advisory services could leverage this opportunity to showcase their expertise, especially if they are adept at navigating time-sensitive contracts. Although reserved under a limited procedure, the context suggests readiness and flexibility in service delivery are vital attributes for successful engagement in similar future opportunities.

## Notice

An independent investigation to determine the causes and contributing factors to the deterioration of a higher education institution's financial position.

### Lot Information

Lot 1

An independent investigation to determine the causes and contributing factors to the deterioration of the higher education institution's financial position.

### Procurement Information

The award was required due to an urgent requirement for these services. This was brought about by a quickly developing and changing situation at the higher education institution. Further time pressure was been caused due an unsuccessful competition for these services in which 0 tenders were returned. (NB this was a competition under a Framework). SFC was therefore in a position where they need to appoint a provider urgently.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/064348-2025 |
| Notice type | Award Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Limited |
| Procurement method details | Award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | Large |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 10 Oct 2025 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 13 Apr 2025 |
| Contract period | Not specified |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | £423,000 |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Cancelled |
| Awards status | Active |
| Contracts status | Active |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | SCOTTISH FUNDING COUNCIL |
| Locality | EDINBURGH |
| Post town | Edinburgh |
| Postcode | EH12 5HD |
| Country | Scotland |
| ITL 1 | TLM Scotland |
| ITL 2 | TLM1 East Central Scotland |
| ITL 3 | TLM13 City of Edinburgh |
| Local authority | City of Edinburgh |
| Electoral ward | City Centre |
| Westminster constituency | Edinburgh West |
| Delivery location | TLM Scotland |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | BDO |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

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

### Codes

- 66171000 - Financial consultancy services
- 79140000 - Legal advisory and information services
- 79720000 - Investigation services

## Release History

- 10 Oct 2025 at 15:28 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/064348-2025

## Notice URLs

- https://api.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/v1/Notice?id=ocds-r6ebe6-0000800830
- https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA00381
- https://www.sfc.ac.uk/

## Provenance

This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-05ad29. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05ad29.json.