--- title: "Prior Information Notice (PIN) - Agricultural and Farm Services The University of Edinburgh" ocid: "ocds-r6ebe6-0000830976" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-r6ebe6-0000830976" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000830976.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000830976.json" source: "Public Contracts Scotland" current_stage: "Planning" buyer: "UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH" published: "2026-05-04" --- # Prior Information Notice (PIN) - Agricultural and Farm Services The University of Edinburgh Buyer: UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH Current stage: Planning OCID: ocds-r6ebe6-0000830976 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-r6ebe6-0000830976) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000830976.json) ## Summary The University of Edinburgh is currently in the planning stage for a procurement process titled "Prior Information Notice (PIN) – Agricultural and Farm Services". This initiative involves seeking experienced service providers to deliver a comprehensive range of agricultural services across its University Farms, situated in Edinburgh, UK, under the services category. Key areas include silage cutting, sowing, fertiliser application, and more. The procurement stage is at the planning phase as of 4th May 2026. The next significant date for this process is 18th May 2026, when future notices will be communicated. This tender does not yet invite formal bids but aims to gather interest from suitable suppliers to shape future procurement strategies. The contract is valued at approximately £100,000. This procurement offers a significant opportunity for businesses specialising in agricultural services, particularly those with deep knowledge of the local landscape and a capacity for quick mobilisation. Companies with skills in consultancy, collaborative planning, crop management, and operational support will find this engagement particularly rewarding. SMEs with capabilities for providing specialist agricultural operations and consultancy services will be well-positioned to tap into this opportunity, enhancing growth by potentially forming a long-term relationship with a prestigious institution like the University of Edinburgh. Businesses in proximity to Edinburgh or with strategic partnerships that facilitate quick site attendance stand to benefit greatly from the flexibility and responsiveness requirements emphasized by the University. ## Notice Prior Information Notice (PIN) - Agricultural and Farm Services - The University of Edinburgh The University of Edinburgh is seeking experienced service providers to deliver a range of agricultural services across its University Farms. Providers must possess a strong knowledge of the local land and landscape, which is essential for optimising land use and maximising farming productivity. In addition to operational delivery, a degree of consultancy will be required; the selected provider will be expected to work closely alongside the University's Agronomist to ensure that the correct crop protection products and chemicals are applied in the right quantities and at the appropriate times throughout the farming calendar. The service provider will also be expected to engage with farm staff to develop and maintain a long-term management plan, ensuring that agreed strategies are understood, implemented, and adhered to on an ongoing basis. A key function of the appointed supplier will be to support farm staff in carrying out essential agricultural operations for which the University currently lacks the in-house workforce or specialist equipment. These services include, but are not limited to: - Silage cutting and spreading - Sowing and drilling - Fertiliser application and spraying - Ploughing and cultivation - Hedge trimming and maintenance Given the nature of farming operations, it is essential that the service provider is able to mobilise and attend site at short notice. Certain issues and time-critical tasks can arise quickly and unexpectedly, and the University requires a supplier with the flexibility and responsiveness to react promptly when called upon. Proximity to the farms and an understanding of the local area will therefore be a significant advantage. This Prior Information Notice (PIN) is intended to gather interest and insight from suitably qualified and experienced suppliers. Responses will help inform and shape the University's future procurement strategy for these services. Interested suppliers are invited to provide views on the following areas: - Capacity and capability to deliver the full range of services outlined - Knowledge and experience of farming in the local area - Approach to collaborative working with in-house farm teams and agronomists - Ability to respond and mobilise at short notice when required - Any market considerations or constraints the University should be aware of when designing its procurement approach This notice does not constitute a formal invitation to tender. Any subsequent procurement will be conducted in accordance with the applicable public procurement regulations. ### Lot Information Lot 1 Prior Information Notice (PIN) - Agricultural and Farm Services - The University of Edinburgh The University of Edinburgh is seeking experienced service providers to deliver a range of agricultural services across its University Farms. Providers must possess a strong knowledge of the local land and landscape, which is essential for optimising land use and maximising farming productivity. In addition to operational delivery, a degree of consultancy will be required; the selected provider will be expected to work closely alongside the University's Agronomist to ensure that the correct crop protection products and chemicals are applied in the right quantities and at the appropriate times throughout the farming calendar. The service provider will also be expected to engage with farm staff to develop and maintain a long-term management plan, ensuring that agreed strategies are understood, implemented, and adhered to on an ongoing basis. A key function of the appointed supplier will be to support farm staff in carrying out essential agricultural operations for which the University currently lacks the in-house workforce or specialist equipment. These services include, but are not limited to: - Silage cutting and spreading - Sowing and drilling - Fertiliser application and spraying - Ploughing and cultivation - Hedge trimming and maintenance Given the nature of farming operations, it is essential that the service provider is able to mobilise and attend site at short notice. Certain issues and time-critical tasks can arise quickly and unexpectedly, and the University requires a supplier with the flexibility and responsiveness to react promptly when called upon. Proximity to the farms and an understanding of the local area will therefore be a significant advantage. This Prior Information Notice (PIN) is intended to gather interest and insight from suitably qualified and experienced suppliers. Responses will help inform and shape the University's future procurement strategy for these services. Interested suppliers are invited to provide views on the following areas: - Capacity and capability to deliver the full range of services outlined - Knowledge and experience of farming in the local area - Approach to collaborative working with in-house farm teams and agronomists - Ability to respond and mobilise at short notice when required - Any market considerations or constraints the University should be aware of when designing its procurement approach This notice does not constitute a formal invitation to tender. Any subsequent procurement will be conducted in accordance with the applicable public procurement regulations. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Public Contracts Scotland | | Latest notice | https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=MAY555086 | | Notice type | PCS Notice - Website Prior Information Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Services | | Procurement method | Not Specified | | Procurement method details | Not specified | | Tender suitability | Not specified | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Planning | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 4 May 2026 | | Submission deadline | Not specified | | Future notice date | 18 May 2026 | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | Not specified | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £100,000 | | Lots value | Not specified | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Planned | | Lots status | Planned | | Awards status | Not specified | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH | | Locality | EDINBURGH | | Post town | Edinburgh | | Postcode | EH1 1HT | | 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 East and Musselburgh | | Delivery location | TLM75 City of Edinburgh | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 77 - Agricultural, forestry, horticultural, aquacultural and apicultural services ### Codes - 77100000 - Agricultural services ## Release History - 4 May 2026 at 00:00 - Planning - PCS Notice - Website Prior Information Notice - https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=MAY555086 ## Documents - https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=MAY555086 Prior Information Notice (PIN) - Agricultural and Farm Services The University of Edinburgh - Prior Information Notice (PIN) - Agricultural and Farm Services - The University of Edinburgh The University of Edinburgh is seeking experienced service providers to deliver a range of agricultural services across its University Farms. Providers must possess a strong knowledge of the local land and landscape, which is essential for optimising land use and maximising farming productivity. In addition to operational delivery, a degree of consultancy will be required; the selected provider will be expected to work closely alongside the University's Agronomist to ensure that the correct crop protection products and chemicals are applied in the right quantities and at the appropriate times throughout the farming calendar. The service provider will also be expected to engage with farm staff to develop and maintain a long-term management plan, ensuring that agreed strategies are understood, implemented, and adhered to on an ongoing basis. A key function of the appointed supplier will be to support farm staff in carrying out essential agricultural operations for which the University currently lacks the in-house workforce or specialist equipment. These services include, but are not limited to: - Silage cutting and spreading - Sowing and drilling - Fertiliser application and spraying - Ploughing and cultivation - Hedge trimming and maintenance Given the nature of farming operations, it is essential that the service provider is able to mobilise and attend site at short notice. Certain issues and time-critical tasks can arise quickly and unexpectedly, and the University requires a supplier with the flexibility and responsiveness to react promptly when called upon. Proximity to the farms and an understanding of the local area will therefore be a significant advantage. This Prior Information Notice (PIN) is intended to gather interest and insight from suitably qualified and experienced suppliers. Responses will help inform and shape the University's future procurement strategy for these services. Interested suppliers are invited to provide views on the following areas: - Capacity and capability to deliver the full range of services outlined - Knowledge and experience of farming in the local area - Approach to collaborative working with in-house farm teams and agronomists - Ability to respond and mobilise at short notice when required - Any market considerations or constraints the University should be aware of when designing its procurement approach This notice does not constitute a formal invitation to tender. Any subsequent procurement will be conducted in accordance with the applicable public procurement regulations. ## Notice URLs - http:// - http://www.ed.ac.uk - https://api.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/v1/Notice?id=ocds-r6ebe6-0000830976 - https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=830976 ## 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-r6ebe6-0000830976. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000830976.json.