Prior information notice
This notice aims at reducing time limits for receipt of tenders
Section I: Contracting
authority
I.1) Name and addresses
Social Security Scotland
3rd Floor, Agnes Husband House, 17 South Union Street
Dundee
DD1 4BF
UK
E-mail: James.mcguigan@socialsecurity.gov.scot
NUTS: UKM
Internet address(es)
Main address: https://www.socialsecurity.gov.scot/
Address of the buyer profile: https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA30345
I.3) Communication
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/esop/pts-host/public/pts/web/login.html
I.4) Type of the contracting authority
Ministry or any other national or federal authority, including their regional or local subdivisions
I.5) Main activity
Social protection
Section II: Object
II.1) Scope of the procurement
II.1.1) Title
Social Program Management (SPM) Framework Agreement - Prior Information Notice
Reference number: S/25/053
II.1.2) Main CPV code
72000000
II.1.3) Type of contract
Services
II.1.4) Short description
Social Security Scotland is looking to establish a new Framework Agreement for development services for our Curam Social Program Management (SPM) business and technology platform.
Its proposed that there will be two lots
- Lot 1: SPM Projects would focus on small/medium/large scale projects where the supplier is responsible for projects relating to the end-to-end delivery of the service.
- Lot 2: SPM Resources would focus on the individual or team resources deployed to either backfill staff or fulfil a role. Overall, Social Security Scotland has responsibility for the delivery of the service but may require support to meet its objectives.
II.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT:
40 000 000.00
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
SPM Projects
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
72000000
48810000
48000000
72222300
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKM
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
It is intended that this will be an open procedure to procure Social Program Management (SPM) Framework suppliers to cover the requirement for SPM Projects.
Stages in the procurement are:
1. Prior Information Notice issued.
2. Contract Notice/ Call for Competition
3. Invitation to Tender
4. Framework Award
II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months: 48
This contract is subject to renewal: Yes
Description of renewals:
Framework will be considered for re-procurement after the proposed 4 year term.
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
The estimated value in this notice, for the framework is 40000000 GBP (ex VAT) which is based on 4 years. As there are pricing elements that are based on volume, the framework does enable the Purchaser potentially to spend beyond this value during the framework (note: the estimated value is not guaranteed)
Lot No: 2
II.2.1) Title
SPM Resources
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
79620000
48810000
72000000
48000000
72222300
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKM
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
It is intended that this will be an open procedure to procure Social Program Management (SPM) Framework suppliers to cover the requirement for SPM Resources.
Stages in the procurement are:
1. Prior Information Notice issued.
2. Contract Notice/ Call for Competition
3. Invitation to Tender
4. Framework Award
II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months: 48
This contract is subject to renewal: Yes
Description of renewals:
Framework will be considered for re-procurement after the proposed 4 year term.
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
The estimated value in this notice, for the framework is 40000000 GBP (ex VAT) which is based on 4 years. As there are pricing elements that are based on volume, the framework does enable the Purchaser potentially to spend beyond this value during the framework (note: the estimated value is not guaranteed)
II.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice:
26/05/2026
Section III: Legal, economic, financial and technical information
III.1) Conditions for participation
III.1.1) Suitability to pursue the professional activity, including requirements relating to enrolment on professional or trade registers
List and brief description of conditions:
At the call for competition stage, relevant selection criteria will be included in the Single Procurement Document (SPD) Scotland module.
III.1.2) Economic and financial standing
List and brief description of selection criteria:
At the call for competition stage, relevant selection criteria will be included in the Single Procurement Document (SPD) Scotland module.
III.1.3) Technical and professional ability
List and brief description of selection criteria:
At the call for competition stage, relevant selection criteria will be included in the Single Procurement Document (SPD) Scotland module.
III.2) Conditions related to the contract
Section IV: Procedure
IV.1) Description
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: 5
IV.1.8) Information about Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement:
Yes
IV.2) Administrative information
IV.2.5) Scheduled date for start of award procedures
14/08/2026
Section VI: Complementary information
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
The buyer is using PCS-Tender to conduct this Procurement exercise. The Project code is 31620. For more information see: http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/info/InfoCentre.aspx?ID=2343
NOTE: To register your interest in this notice and obtain any additional information please visit the Public Contracts Scotland Web Site at https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=829260.
This is a Prior Information Notice. It is intended that an open procedure will be followed to establish the Framework Agreement.
It is proposed that the framework will have two lots. Each lot will have a ranked and mini competition call-off option Suppliers will be ranked based on their score in the original tender evaluation. Where the ranked award option is chosen, the ranking will determine the order in which suppliers are awarded call-off contracts, up to a maximum of 1,000,000 GBP.
For call-offs above 1,000,000 GBP or where chosen, requirements will be competed via a mini competition.
For any mini competition call-off contract opportunities, all suppliers within the relevant lot will be invited to bid.
Any mini competition call-off contracts can run end beyond the framework end date.
Participants should be aware there is not a requirement to bid for all lots.
The SPM Framework will be available for use by the Scottish Ministers acting through Social Security Scotland.
It is intended that this procurement will include Community Benefit requirements. Further details will be provided in the contract notice and tender documentation.
Indicative timetable
Invitation to Tender Published - 26th May 2026
Closing Date for Tender Questions - 2nd June 2026
Tender Return Date - 16th June 2026
Tender Evaluation Period - 17th June 2026 - 10th July 2026
Framework Award - 13th August 2026
Framework Start Date - 14th August 2026
NOTE: To register your interest in this notice and obtain any additional information please visit the Public Contracts Scotland Web Site at https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=829801.
(SC Ref:829801)
VI.4) Procedures for review
VI.4.1) Review body
Edinburgh Sheriff Court House
27 Chambers Street
Edinburgh
UK
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
20/04/2026