--- title: "Building Standards Research and Technical Services Framework" ocid: "ocds-r6ebe6-0000827135" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-r6ebe6-0000827135" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000827135.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000827135.json" source: "Public Contracts Scotland" current_stage: "Tender" buyer: "SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT" published: "2026-07-06" --- # Building Standards Research and Technical Services Framework Buyer: SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT Current stage: Tender OCID: ocds-r6ebe6-0000827135 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-r6ebe6-0000827135) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000827135.json) ## Summary The Scottish Government has initiated an open tender process for a multi-supplier Framework Agreement titled "Building Standards Research and Technical Services Framework". Focused on general public services, this procurement falls under the services category and is designed to support the Building Standards Division of the Scottish Government. The contract, located in the UKM region, covers seven areas: Fire, Safety/Accessibility, Energy (Software, Tools and Methodology), Energy (Policy and Research), Environment and Sustainability, Structure, and Non-technical services. Submissions for this tender must be made electronically by 17th August 2026 at noon, with an award period commencing later that day. The framework aims to engage economic operators who can bid for any combination of lots, but there is no guarantee of service volume or value. The maximum estimated framework value is GBP 4,000,000, with call-off contracts awarded either directly or via mini-competition. This tender presents an opportunity for businesses specialising in research, technical advisory services, policy development, structural engineering, and environmental consultancy to expand their portfolio by engaging in substantial public sector projects. Firms with a strong track record in energy efficiency, fire safety, or sustainability would be well-suited to compete. The Framework not only allows for direct awards but also encourages mini-competitions, providing various entry points for suppliers. With a focus on quality over price, as indicated by a 70% weighting in evaluation criteria, businesses excelling in technical performance and innovation have the optimal chance to benefit from this procurement opportunity. Furthermore, the inclusion of community benefits aligns with enhancing corporate social responsibility initiatives, attractiveness to businesses inclined towards impactful engagements. ## Notice The Authority intends to establish a multi-supplier Framework Agreement for the provision of research and technical services across seven lots. The Framework Agreement will be available for use by Scottish Government, Building Standards Division only and will enable the procurement of specialist support in the following areas: Lot 1: Fire Lot 2: Safety/Accessibility Lot 3: Energy (Software, Tools and Methodology) Lot 4: Energy (Policy and Research) Lot 5: Environment and Sustainability Lot 6: Structure Lot 7: Non-technical Economic operators may bid for one, several, or all lots. No guarantee is given as to the volume or value of services that may be awarded under the Framework Agreement. Call-off contracts will be awarded in accordance with the terms of the Framework Agreement. The estimated maximum framework value is GBP 4,000,000. Call-off contracts under the Framework Agreement may be awarded by either direct award or mini-competition in accordance with the framework terms and conditions. The Authority reserves the right to use either method as appropriate to the specific requirement. ### Lot Information Fire Lot 1 covers the provision of research, analysis, and technical advisory services to support the development, review, and amendment of fire safety standards and associated technical guidance within the Scottish building standards system, particularly Section 2 (Fire) of the Domestic and Non-Domestic Technical Handbooks. Renewal: Two periods of 12 months Energy (Policy and Research) Lot 4 covers policy focused research and analytical services relating to energy use, decarbonisation, and energy performance of buildings. This lot focuses on Section 6 of the of the Domestic and Non-Domestic Technical Handbooks. Outputs may inform amendments to regulations, updates to Technical Handbooks, supporting guidance, related policy, and consultation material. Renewal: Two periods of 12 months Environment and Sustainability Lot 5 covers consultancy and research services relating to environmental performance and sustainability of buildings and the built environment. This lot focuses on Section 3 and Section 7 of the Domestic and Non-Domestic Technical Handbooks. Outputs may inform amendments to regulations, updates to Technical Handbooks, supporting guidance, and related policy and consultation material. Renewal: Two periods of 12 months Structure Lot 6 covers structural engineering and structural safety consultancy services supporting building standards, technical guidance, and regulatory compliance. This lot focuses on Section 1 of the Domestic and Non-Domestic Technical Handbooks. Outputs may inform amendments to regulations, updates to Technical Handbooks, supporting guidance, and related policy and consultation material. Research within this lot will support the development of guidance and policy in relation to matters relating to building safety and structural integrity. Renewal: Two periods of 12 months Non-technical Lot 7 covers the provision of overarching business and policy support services for Lots 1 to 6 to enable informed decision-making and effective policy development. The scope includes the delivery of detailed options appraisals to assess the feasibility of approaches against strategic objectives, alongside robust cost impact and benefit analysis to evaluate the financial, economic, and value-for-money implications of policy and technical proposals. 1.2. The Lot also encompasses stakeholder survey design, delivery, and engagement activities to gather evidence, insights, and feedback in support of policy development and refinement for Lots 1 to 6. In addition, suppliers will support the development and authoring of clear, accessible draft guidance and supporting materials, ensuring outputs are well-structured, evidence-based, and suitable for consultation, approval, and implementation within relevant organisational or regulatory contexts. Renewal: Two Periods of 12 months Safety/Accessibility Lot 2 covers the intended research and outputs to support the development standards and guidance contained under Section 3 'Environment' and Section 4 'Safety' in relation to the accessibility and safety of new domestic and non-domestic buildings. Services will support the regulatory development, options appraisal, and cost impact modelling and assessment of the above themes. Outputs will inform the production of policy and consultation materials as well as amendments to regulations and updated technical handbook guidance. Renewal: Two periods of 12 months Energy (Software, Tools and Methodology) Lot 3 covers the provision of technical services relating to energy related software, tools, and methodologies supporting compliance, modelling, and assessment within the Scottish building standards system. Renewal: Two periods of 12 months ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Public Contracts Scotland | | Latest notice | https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=JUL559455 | | 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 | | All stages | Planning, Tender | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 6 Jul 2026 | | Submission deadline | 17 Aug 2026 | | Future notice date | 20 Apr 2026 | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | Not specified | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | Not specified | | Lots value | Not specified | | 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 | SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT | | Locality | GLASGOW | | Post town | Glasgow | | Postcode | G2 8LU | | 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 | Leith | | Westminster constituency | Edinburgh North and Leith | | Delivery location | TLM Scotland | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services - 73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services - 79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security ### Codes - 71311000 - Civil engineering consultancy services - 71313000 - Environmental engineering consultancy services - 71314000 - Energy and related services - 71314300 - Energy-efficiency consultancy services - 71315200 - Building consultancy services - 71317000 - Hazard protection and control consultancy services - 71317100 - Fire and explosion protection and control consultancy services - 71318000 - Advisory and consultative engineering services - 73000000 - Research and development services and related consultancy services - 73110000 - Research services - 73210000 - Research consultancy services - 79315000 - Social research services ## Release History - 6 Jul 2026 at 00:00 - Tender - OJEU - F2 - Contract Notice - https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=JUL559455 - 20 Mar 2026 at 00:00 - Planning - OJEU - F1 - Prior Information Notice - https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=MAR552148 ## Documents - https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/NoticeDownload/DownloadDocument.aspx?id=MAR552148&idx=1 20th March 2026 - Request for Information (RFI) - https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=MAR552148 Building Standards Research and Technical Services Framework - The Authority is considering commissioning a research framework to support the Building Standards Division. The Building Standards Division requires a series of research commissions over the next 36 - 48 months. Each commission relates to a specialist area and may require differing technical expertise, methodologies, and delivery timescales, and subsequent research activity may be required as findings emerge or policy needs evolve. The purpose of this Request for Information (RFI) is to understand the supplier market and, in particular, to seek feedback on how the requirement could be structured and lotted in any future Invitation to Tender (ITT). This RFI will inform the Authority's Sourcing Strategy and does not form part of any formal procurement process. - https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=JUL559455 Building Standards Research and Technical Services Framework - The Authority intends to establish a multi-supplier Framework Agreement for the provision of research and technical services across seven lots. The Framework Agreement will be available for use by Scottish Government, Building Standards Division only and will enable the procurement of specialist support in the following areas: Lot 1: Fire Lot 2: Safety/Accessibility Lot 3: Energy (Software, Tools and Methodology) Lot 4: Energy (Policy and Research) Lot 5: Environment and Sustainability Lot 6: Structure Lot 7: Non-technical Economic operators may bid for one, several, or all lots. No guarantee is given as to the volume or value of services that may be awarded under the Framework Agreement. Call-off contracts will be awarded in accordance with the terms of the Framework Agreement. The estimated maximum framework value is GBP 4,000,000. Call-off contracts under the Framework Agreement may be awarded by either direct award or mini-competition in accordance with the framework terms and conditions. The Authority reserves the right to use either method as appropriate to the specific requirement. ## Notice URLs - http:// - http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/info/InfoCentre.aspx?ID=2343 - http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/info/InfoCentre.aspx?ID=2363 - http://www.scotland.gov.uk - https://api.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/v1/Notice?id=ocds-r6ebe6-0000827135 - https://app.supply25.com/applications/LuDtf5hD-oVDfRz_863KF - https://www.gov.scot/policies/public-sector-procurement/community-benefits-in-procurement/ - https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/ - https://www.publictendersscotland.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/go/63271052019F36458374 ## 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-r6ebe6-0000827135. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000827135.json.