---
title: "FTS051 Research, Appraisal, Delivery and Support Framework - Lot 2 Research"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-06c9e1"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06c9e1"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06c9e1.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06c9e1.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Tender"
buyer: "HIGHLANDS AND ISLANDS ENTERPRISE"
published: "2026-07-13"
---

# FTS051 Research, Appraisal, Delivery and Support Framework - Lot 2 Research

Buyer: HIGHLANDS AND ISLANDS ENTERPRISE  
Current stage: Tender  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-06c9e1

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## Summary

The procurement process for the "FTS051 Research, Appraisal, Delivery and Support Framework - Lot 2 Research" is being managed by Highlands and Islands Enterprise, headquartered in Inverness, United Kingdom (Region UKM6). The tender focuses on the services industry, with a specific emphasis on market and economic research including socio-economic research, scenario planning, and sectoral research. This tender is currently at the 'tender' stage with an active status and has a submission deadline set for 18th August 2026. The contract is expected to begin in November 2026, lasting for three years with the possibility of a one-year extension. The procurement's total estimated value across all lots is GBP 3,200,000, with GBP 1,380,000 allocated for Lot 2. The process employs an open procurement method, and submissions are only accepted electronically via the Public Contracts Scotland website.

This tender represents significant opportunities for businesses specialising in research activities, ranging from primary surveys to economic intelligence gathering. Companies skilled in market research, statistical services, and consultancy services would find this tender particularly beneficial for growth. Engaging in this framework could provide substantial project opportunities not only with Highlands and Islands Enterprise but potentially with other involved organisations like South of Scotland Enterprise and Wave Energy Scotland Limited. In addition to financial opportunities, participation in this tender could allow companies to forge strategic partnerships and expand their influence within the UK public sector market, particularly in the regions of UKM6 and UKM9.

## Notice

The Research, Appraisal, Delivery and Support (RADS) Framework is divided into two lots: -Lot 1 Support, Appraisal and Delivery -Lot 2 Research This notice relates solely to Lot 2 of the two-lot framework procurement. Separate Public Contracts Scotland (PCS) notices have been published for each Lot, each with the description 'FTS051 Research, Appraisal, Delivery and Support Framework'. The estimated value of Lot 2 is GBP 1,380,000. The total estimated value of the framework across Lots 1 and 2 is GBP 3,200,000, which is the value stated in this notice. Suppliers may tender for, and be appointed to, one or both Lots. Lot 2 covers a mix of primary (both quantitative and qualitative), secondary and tertiary research - this will include socio-economic research, sectoral research, scenario planning, customer research and economic intelligence.

### Lot Information

Lot 1

The framework will be let from November 2026 for a period of 3 years, unless terminated in accordance with the provisions of the Framework Agreement, with HIE having the option to extend for a further period or periods together no exceeding 1 year. Although HIE will be the primary user, the Framework (both lots) will also be available for use by South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE), Wave Energy Scotland Limited (WES), HIE Orkney, HIE Ventures Ltd (HIEVL), Cairngorm Mountain (Scotland) Ltd (CMSL), as well as any other Contracting Authority wholly or partly under the control of, or funded by HIE, at any point during the term of this Framework (subject to case-by-case approval by HIE). Each Framework User listed above will enter into a direct contract with the Framework Suppliers on the same terms and conditions as those applying between HIE and the Framework Suppliers. The Framework will be non-exclusive, Framework Users reserve the right, in certain circumstances, to procure services out with the Framework, where required. Additional information: 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.

Options: HIE reserves the right, on giving reasonable written notice from time to time, to require changes to the Services under the Framework Agreement, including the removal of Services, the addition of new Services, increases or decreases to the Services, or changes to the order in which the Services are to be performed or the locations where the Services are to be provided. HIE shall not require any such change other than where it is permitted by Regulation 72 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015. Framework Users may also modify their own call-off contracts where permitted by Regulation 72 and in accordance with the terms of the relevant call-off contract. The Framework Agreement and/or call-off contracts may be modified where permitted by Regulation 72 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015 and in accordance with the terms of the relevant agreement or contract. Such modifications may include, but are not limited to the following circumstances: -Changes to budget availability. -Where a Framework User brings the services in-house (fully or partially) such that the services are no longer required or reduced services are required. -Reduction or removal of services are required for example where services are no longer required due to changes in organisational strategy or priorities -Cancellation or pausing of a call-off contract due to changes in project status. -The addition of similar services, for example due to increased demand, where significant inconvenience and/or substantial duplication of costs to the Framework User can be avoided. -Increases to the volume of the services required. -Change in legislative requirements resulting in increased, reduced or amended services. -Where demand under one Lot is lower than anticipated and requirements are instead commissioned under the other Lot, subject always to the overall maximum Framework value not being exceeded.

Renewal: It is anticipated that the framework will be let from November 2026 for a period of 3 years, unless terminated in accordance with the provisions of the Framework Agreement, with HIE having the option to extend for a further period or periods together no exceeding 1 year

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/065771-2026 |
| Notice type | Tender Notice |
| Procurement type | Framework |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Open |
| Procurement method details | Open procedure |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | Not specified |
| All stages | Tender |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 13 Jul 2026 |
| Submission deadline | 18 Aug 2026 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | Not specified |
| Contract period | Not specified |
| Recurrence | HIE reserves the right to re-tender for these services upon termination of the contract or at the end of the contract period, including any extension period. |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £3,200,000 |
| Lots value | £3,200,000 |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Active |
| Lots status | Active |
| Awards status | Not specified |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | HIGHLANDS AND ISLANDS ENTERPRISE |
| Additional buyers | CAIRNGORM MOUNTAIN (SCOTLAND) LTD; HIE ORKNEY; HIE VENTURES LTD.; SOUTH OF SCOTLAND ENTERPRISE; WAVE ENERGY SCOTLAND LIMITED |
| Locality | INVERNESS |
| Post town | Inverness |
| Postcode | IV2 5NA |
| Country | Scotland |
| ITL 1 | TLM Scotland |
| ITL 2 | TLM2 Highlands and Islands |
| ITL 3 | TLM20 Highlands and Islands |
| Local authority | Highland |
| Electoral ward | Badenoch and Strathspey |
| Westminster constituency | Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey |
| Delivery location | TLM6 Highlands and Islands, TLM9 Southern Scotland |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services
- 79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

### Codes

- 73110000 - Research services
- 73210000 - Research consultancy services
- 79300000 - Market and economic research; polling and statistics
- 79310000 - Market research services
- 79311000 - Survey services
- 79311100 - Survey design services
- 79311200 - Survey conduction services
- 79311300 - Survey analysis services
- 79315000 - Social research services
- 79330000 - Statistical services

## Release History

- 13 Jul 2026 at 15:22 - Tender - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/065771-2026

## Notice URLs

- http://www.cairngormmountain.co.uk/
- http://www.hie.co.uk
- http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/hse40.pdf
- http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk
- http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA00313
- http://www.southofscotlandenterprise.com
- http://www.waveenergyscotland.co.uk
- https://api.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/v1/Notice?id=ocds-r6ebe6-0000835557
- https://www.gov.scot/policies/public-sector-procurement/community-benefits-in-procurement/
- https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/ESPD/ESPD_Download.aspx?id=835557
- https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=835557
- https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA24283
- https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA30448
- https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA30513
- https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/sitehelp/help_guides.aspx
- https://www.scotcourts.gov.uk/the-courts/court-locations/inverness-sheriff-court-and-justice-of-the-peace-court

## 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-06c9e1. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06c9e1.json.