Contract notice
Section I: Contracting
authority
I.1) Name and addresses
Scotland Excel
Renfrewshire House, Cotton Street
Paisley
PA1 1AR
UK
Telephone: +44 1414888230
E-mail: Education.Corporate@scotland-excel.org.uk
NUTS: UKM83
Internet address(es)
Main address: http://www.scotland-excel.org.uk
Address of the buyer profile: https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA10383
I.2) Joint procurement
The contract is awarded by a central purchasing body
I.3) Communication
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge at:
https://www.publictendersscotland.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/
Additional information can be obtained from the abovementioned address
Tenders or requests to participate must be sent electronically to:
https://www.publictendersscotland.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/
I.4) Type of the contracting authority
Body governed by public law
I.5) Main activity
General public services
Section II: Object
II.1) Scope of the procurement
II.1.1) Title
Supply and Delivery of Education Materials
Reference number: 0724
II.1.2) Main CPV code
39162000
II.1.3) Type of contract
Supplies
II.1.4) Short description
This framework is for the supply and delivery of Education Materials.
This framework will provide councils and other participating bodies with a mechanism to procure a range of products including but not limited to, arts and crafts, board, card and paper, exercise books, musical instruments, science equipment and sports equipment. Users of the framework are likely to include schools and nurseries, including those for children with additional support needs.
II.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT:
96 000 000.00
GBP
II.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots:
Yes
Tenders may be submitted for all lots
II.2) Description
Lot No: 1
II.2.1) Title
General Education Materials
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
39162000
37524100
37000000
22111000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKM
Main site or place of performance:
Various locations throughout the geographical boundaries of participating Councils and associate members within Scotland.
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
This lot will provide councils, associate members and other bodies participating with a mechanism to procure general education materials including but not limited to, arts and crafts, board, card and paper, exercise books, musical instruments, science equipment and sports equipment.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Criteria below:
Quality criterion: Technical
/ Weighting: 30
Price
/ Weighting:
70
II.2.6) Estimated value
Value excluding VAT:
24 000 000.00
GBP
II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months: 48
This contract is subject to renewal: No
II.2.9) Information about the limits on the number of candidates to be invited
II.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted:
No
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
No
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
II.2.14) 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. Please see the Invitation to Tender contained on PCS-Tender project relevant to this procurement and the other Tender Documents for further information.
Lot No: 2
II.2.1) Title
Arts and Crafts Materials
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
37820000
19435000
19442100
30192124
30192123
30192130
30192133
24910000
39224210
44810000
44800000
44812200
44812300
44812220
44812210
22500000
22610000
39162000
44512800
44512300
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKM
Main site or place of performance:
Various locations throughout the geographical boundaries of participating Councils and associate members within Scotland.
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
This lot will provide councils, associate members and other bodies participating with a mechanism to procure arts and crafts materials.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Criteria below:
Quality criterion: Technical
/ Weighting: 30
Price
/ Weighting:
70
II.2.6) Estimated value
Value excluding VAT:
19 680 000.00
GBP
II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months: 48
This contract is subject to renewal: No
II.2.9) Information about the limits on the number of candidates to be invited
II.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted:
No
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
No
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
II.2.14) 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. Please see the Invitation to Tender contained on PCS-Tender project relevant to this procurement and the other Tender Documents for further information.
Lot No: 3
II.2.1) Title
Board, Card, Paper and Exercise Books
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
22830000
22990000
22993400
37823500
22832000
22831000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKM
Main site or place of performance:
Various locations throughout the geographical boundaries of participating Councils and associate members within Scotland.
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
This lot will provide councils, associate members and other bodies participating with a mechanism to procure board, card, paper and exercise books.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Criteria below:
Quality criterion: Technical
/ Weighting: 30
Price
/ Weighting:
70
II.2.6) Estimated value
Value excluding VAT:
16 320 000.00
GBP
II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months: 48
This contract is subject to renewal: No
II.2.9) Information about the limits on the number of candidates to be invited
II.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted:
No
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
No
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
II.2.14) 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. Please see the Invitation to Tender contained on PCS-Tender project relevant to this procurement and the other Tender Documents for further information.
Lot No: 4
II.2.1) Title
Early Learning Materials
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
37524100
39162000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKM
Main site or place of performance:
Various locations throughout the geographical boundaries of participating Councils and associate members within Scotland.
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
This lot will provide councils, associate members and other bodies participating with a mechanism to procure early learning materials.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Criteria below:
Quality criterion: Technical
/ Weighting: 30
Price
/ Weighting:
70
II.2.6) Estimated value
Value excluding VAT:
15 360 000.00
GBP
II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months: 48
This contract is subject to renewal: No
II.2.9) Information about the limits on the number of candidates to be invited
II.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted:
No
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
No
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
II.2.14) 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. Please see the Invitation to Tender contained on PCS-Tender project relevant to this procurement and the other Tender Documents for further information.
Lot No: 5
II.2.1) Title
Additional Support Needs (ASN) Products
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
39162000
37524100
22830000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKM
Main site or place of performance:
Various locations throughout the geographical boundaries of participating Councils and associate members within Scotland.
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
This lot will provide councils, associate members and other bodies participating with a mechanism to procure additional support needs (ASN) products.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Criteria below:
Quality criterion: Technical
/ Weighting: 30
Price
/ Weighting:
70
II.2.6) Estimated value
Value excluding VAT:
2 880 000.00
GBP
II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months: 48
This contract is subject to renewal: No
II.2.9) Information about the limits on the number of candidates to be invited
II.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted:
No
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
No
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
II.2.14) 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. Please see the Invitation to Tender contained on PCS-Tender project relevant to this procurement and the other Tender Documents for further information.
Lot No: 6
II.2.1) Title
Musical Instruments
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
37300000
37310000
37315000
37321000
37322000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKM
Main site or place of performance:
Various locations throughout the geographical boundaries of participating Councils and associate members within Scotland.
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
This lot will provide councils, associate members and other bodies participating with a mechanism to procure musical instruments.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Criteria below:
Quality criterion: Technical
/ Weighting: 30
Price
/ Weighting:
70
II.2.6) Estimated value
Value excluding VAT:
4 230 000.00
GBP
II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months: 48
This contract is subject to renewal: No
II.2.9) Information about the limits on the number of candidates to be invited
II.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted:
No
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
No
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
II.2.14) 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. Please see the Invitation to Tender contained on PCS-Tender project relevant to this procurement and the other Tender Documents for further information.
Lot No: 7
II.2.1) Title
Scientific Equipment
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
33790000
33793000
33192500
38437000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKM
Main site or place of performance:
Various locations throughout the geographical boundaries of participating Councils and associate members within Scotland.
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
This lot will provide councils, associate members and other bodies participating with a mechanism to procure scientific equipment.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Criteria below:
Quality criterion: Technical
/ Weighting: 30
Price
/ Weighting:
70
II.2.6) Estimated value
Value excluding VAT:
4 800 000.00
GBP
II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months: 48
This contract is subject to renewal: No
II.2.9) Information about the limits on the number of candidates to be invited
II.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted:
No
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
No
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
II.2.14) 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. Please see the Invitation to Tender contained on PCS-Tender project relevant to this procurement and the other Tender Documents for further information.
Lot No: 8
II.2.1) Title
Sports Equipment
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
37400000
37410000
37450000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKM
Main site or place of performance:
Various locations throughout the geographical boundaries of participating Councils and associate members within Scotland.
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
This lot will provide councils, associate members and other bodies participating with a mechanism to procure sports equipment.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Criteria below:
Quality criterion: Technical
/ Weighting: 30
Price
/ Weighting:
70
II.2.6) Estimated value
Value excluding VAT:
8 640 000.00
GBP
II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months: 48
This contract is subject to renewal: No
II.2.9) Information about the limits on the number of candidates to be invited
II.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted:
No
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
No
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
II.2.14) 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. Please see the Invitation to Tender contained on PCS-Tender project relevant to this procurement and the other Tender Documents for further information.
Section III: Legal, economic, financial and technical information
III.1) Conditions for participation
III.1.2) Economic and financial standing
List and brief description of selection criteria:
1.SPD (Scotland) Questions 4B.5.1b and 4B.5.2: Insurance Requirements
2.SPD (Scotland) Question 4B.6: Other Economic & Financial Requirements
In accordance with Regulation 59 (12), as this proposed framework agreement is divided into lots, the technical and professional ability selection criteria apply to all lots except where stated otherwise.
Minimum level(s) of standards required:
Tenderers must confirm that they already have, or can commit to obtain prior to the commencement of the Framework Contract, the following types and minimum levels of insurance cover on terms compatible with the requirements of the Framework Contract:-
-Employer’s (Compulsory) Liability – a minimum indemnity limit of 5 million GBP per occurrence.
-Public/Products Liability – a minimum indemnity limit of 10 million GBP per occurrence, and in the aggregate in respect of Products.
-Motor Vehicle Insurance – a minimum indemnity level of 5 million GBP in respect of third party property damage, without limit to the number of claims; unlimited in respect of personal injury. For full details please see the Procurement Documents.
LIMITATIONS ON LIABILITY are detailed in the published terms and conditions of contract. FURTHER LIMITATIONS on LIABILITY ARE NOT ACCEPTED.
A search of the tenderer against Equifax's ScoreCheck and Protect must not result in a “Rating”, “Warning” or “Caution” return which identifies financial risk, unless the tenderer confirms that it can provide any other document which Scotland Excel considers appropriate to prove to Scotland Excel (acting within its permitted discretion under the applicable public procurement rules) that the tenderer does/would not present an unmanageable risk should it be appointed on to the proposed Framework Agreement.
III.1.3) Technical and professional ability
List and brief description of selection criteria:
In accordance with Regulation 59(12), as this proposed Framework Agreement is divided into Lots, these Technical and Professional
ability selection criteria apply.
-SPD (Scotland) Question 4C.10 – Subcontracting
-SPD (Scotland) Question 4C.12 - Certificates
-SPD (Scotland) Question 4D.1 - Quality Assurance Schemes and Health and Safety Procedures
-SPD (Scotland) Question 4D.2 - Environmental Management Standards
Minimum level(s) of standards required:
Further to the identified selection criteria outlined above, full guidance and the minimum levels of standards required are outlined in the
"0724 Education Materials_III.1.3 Technical and Professional Ability" document, which can be found in the "Contract Notice" folder in the Buyer Attachment area, within itt_57501 of project 28174.
III.2) Conditions related to the contract
III.2.2) Contract performance conditions
Scotland Excel will require the members of any tendering group of entities (including, but not limited to, consortium members, members of a group of economic operators and / or sub-contractors) to be jointly and severally liable for the performance of the contract (no matter the legal form taken by those entities in order to enter into the contract.
For full details of the conditions relevant to the proposed Framework, and contracts to be called-off there under (to the extent known or settled at this stage), please see the Procurement Documents (details of how to access these being set out in section " “I.3 (Communication” of this Contract Notice).
Section IV: Procedure
IV.1) Description
IV.1.1) Type of procedure
Open procedure
IV.1.3) Information about a framework agreement or a dynamic purchasing system
The procurement involves the establishment of a framework agreement with several operators.
Envisaged maximum number of participants to the framework agreement: 30
IV.1.8) Information about Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement:
Yes
IV.2) Administrative information
IV.2.1) Previous publication concerning this procedure
Notice number in the OJ S:
2024/S 000-028823
IV.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate
Date:
11/04/2025
Local time: 12:00
IV.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted
EN
IV.2.6) Minimum time frame during which the tenderer must maintain the tender
Duration in months: 6 (from the date stated for receipt of tender)
IV.2.7) Conditions for opening of tenders
Date:
11/04/2025
Local time: 12:00
Place:
Scotland Excel Offices, Renfrewshire House, Cotton Street, Paisley, PA1 1AR
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.1) Information about recurrence
This is a recurrent procurement:
No
VI.2) Information about electronic workflows
Electronic ordering will be used
Electronic invoicing will be accepted
Electronic payment will be used
VI.3) Additional information
This Tender process is subject to the Law and Guidance applicable in Scotland relative to the award of public contracts including (without limitation) as set out in the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015, most recently amended to reflect the European Union exit by the UK. Any prior version of the relevant Law and Guidance, or terminology related thereto, which appears in these Procurement Documents should therefore be interpreted and applied as currently in force.
Scotland Excel is a central purchasing body procuring this framework on behalf of the following contracting authorities (and successor bodies):
- 32 local authorities in Scotland
- Scotland Excel associate members: http://www.scotland-excel.org.uk/home/aboutus/ourmembers/Ourmembers.aspx
- Tayside Contracts
- Scottish Government
- Advanced Procurement for Universities and Colleges (APUC Ltd) and their member organisations across the higher and further education
sector in Scotland and their associated and affiliated bodies.
- Any integration authority, or other body, established pursuant to the Public Bodies (Joint Working)(Scotland) Act 2014.
The above is subject to each contracting authority entering into and maintaining a membership agreement or other access agreement with Scotland Excel.
Tenderers are advised that the envisaged maximum number of participants that might be appointed to this framework agreement set out in section IV.1.3 of this contract notice is purely indicative. Scotland Excel reserves the right to appoint more or less bidders than the envisaged maximum number to the proposed Framework Agreement.
Tenderers are advised that whether electronic ordering, invoicing and payment will be used or accepted is at the discretion of each Member Authority or Associate Member which will be settled by them during call off of a contract under this proposed Framework Agreement.
IMPORTANT NOTE FOR TENDERERS: For some lots, particular requirements apply, including but not limited to, the requirement to evidence conformance with the Tender Specification in all lots. Bids MAY be excluded from evaluation (in whole, or in part) if they do not include the information required in accordance with instructions given. Bids may be subject to a specific EVALUATION APPROACH in particular circumstances detailed in the instructions. Further detailed information and instructions are contained within the tender
documents located within the Information and Instructions to Tenderers inc Evaluation Methodology document.
Retrospective rebates apply to this framework. For further details, please see the Special Conditions of Contract
The buyer is using PCS-Tender to conduct this ITT exercise. The Project code is 28174. For more information see: http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/info/InfoCentre.aspx?ID=2343
A sub-contract clause has been included in this contract. For more information see: http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/info/InfoCentre.aspx?ID=2363
Community benefits are included in this requirement. For more information see: https://www.gov.scot/policies/public-sector-procurement/community-benefits-in-procurement/
A summary of the expected community benefits has been provided as follows:
In accordance with section 25(3) of the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 note that, Scotland Excel intends to include community
benefit requirements. As part of your response within the Technical Envelope, bidders will be requested to commit to delivery of community benefits in accordance with the methodology outlined in the tender documents.
(SC Ref:785253)
VI.4) Procedures for review
VI.4.1) Review body
Court of Session
Edinburgh
EH1 1RQ
UK
VI.4.3) Review procedure
Precise information on deadline(s) for review procedures:
An economic operator that suffers, or risks suffering, loss or damage attributable to a breach of duty under the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015 (SSI2015/446)(as amended) may bring proceedings in the Sheriff Court or the Court of Session.
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
14/03/2025