Design contest notice
Directive 2014/24/EU
Section I: Contracting
entity
I.1) Name and addresses
Glasgow City Council
40 John St, City Chambers
Glasgow
G2 1DU
UK
Contact person: Lynne Cox
E-mail: Albertcross@glasgow.gov.uk
NUTS: UKM82
Internet address(es)
Main address: www.glasgow.gov.uk
Address of the buyer profile: https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA00196
I.3) Communication
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge at:
https://www.publictendersscotland.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/esop/pts-host/public/pts/web/login.html?VISITORID=b10c6cef-0b6f-4768-8dad-fbfdb256e9c2&_ncp=1784885560080.13088-1
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?VISITORID=b10c6cef-0b6f-4768-8dad-fbfdb256e9c2&_ncp=1784885560080.13088-1
I.4) Type of the contracting authority
Regional or local authority
I.5) Main activity
General public services
Section II: Object
II.1) Scope of the procurement
II.1.1) Title
Albert Cross Design Contest
Reference number: GCC006709CPU
II.1.2) Main CPV code
71230000
II.2) Description
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
71220000
79415200
71221000
71240000
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
Glasgow City Council (GCC) is initiating a landmark architectural design contest to redevelop two prominent gap sites at Albert Cross, situated within the historic East Pollokshields Conservation Area. These sites were formerly occupied by B-listed tenement blocks, which were tragically lost to fires in 2019 and 2020.
The Design Contest is a call for architects to submit design proposals for both sites as part shared vision for the cross. The contest will be run as a 2 stage process, commencing with the submission of an initial diagrammatic conceptual design which will be judged anonymously by the judging panel. From this a shortlist of 3 entrants will be invited to develop their ideas further to the Stage 2 submission with Cost Plan and named design team, from which an outright winner will then be selected.
The depth and complexity of the Stage 2 submission information included should be in line with RIBA Plan of Work 2020 for an “early” Stage 3: Spatial Coordination (or for an “advanced” Stage 2: Concept Design)
It is envisaged that, subject to approvals and acquisition of the sites, the winner may be awarded a Design Services Contract to further their design proposal into a full planning application for one or both sites, at Council’s sole discretion.
More detailed information is contained within the Albert Cross Design Contest Brief which will be available on the Public Contract Scotland Tendering Portal.
It is our intention to publish all documents relating to the Design Contest on Public Contract Scotland Tendering on Friday 21 August 2026.
The Council will reserve the right to award a Design Services Contract under Regulation 33(6) of The Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015.
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
Section III: Legal, economic, financial and technical information
III.1) Conditions for participation
III.1.10) Criteria for the selection of participants:
To be eligible, practice must:
1.Be RIAS chartered and within the GIA Glasgow chapter.
2.Have the lead architect be ARB registered. Teams must accurately declare ARB registration status and any misrepresentation will lead to disqualification
3. Participants must confirm their commitment to gain the associated insurances as outlined below for any resulting Design Services Contract, GCC requirements outlined below:
(i) entrants employing staff shall maintain Employers Liability Insurance with a minimum indemnity of 10,000,000 GBP for any one claim and unlimited in the period
(ii) Public Liability Insurance with a minimum indemnity of 5,000,000 GBP for any one claim and unlimited in the period
(iii) Products Liability Insurance to 5,000,000 GBP for any one claim and unlimited in the period
(iv)In respect of services to be performed Professional Indemnity cover to 3,000,000 GBP or any one event in the aggregate. It should be noted that this is a provisional estimated level of insurance, however, should GCC award a Design Services Contract Professional Indemnity insurance will be set depending on the value/risk.
Whilst it is accepted that entrants to Stage 1 may not be operating at a scale that requires this level of insurance cover as standard,; it is required that all entrants, if shortlisted to proceed to Stage 2, agree to gain the required insurance cover.
4. The participant will grant the Council Title to all existing and future Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) in the submission and all materials embodying these tights to the fullest extent permitted by law.
III.2) Conditions related to the contract
III.2.1) Information about a particular profession
Participation is reserved to a particular profession: Yes
Indicate profession: Architects
Section IV: Procedure
IV.1) Description
IV.1.2) Type of contest
Restricted
Number of participants to be contemplated: 3
IV.1.9) Criteria for the evaluation of projects:
This contest is formed of 2 stages:
Stage 1 and Stage 2 will involve a blind judging panel who will evaluate anonymous submissions against the following criteria:
a)Design Quality and Innovation: Creativity, clarity, and architectural excellence.
b)Heritage Sensitivity: Respect for conservation principles and contextual appropriateness.
c)Sustainability: Environmental performance and long-term resilience.
d)Community Benefit: Contribution to social, cultural, and economic vitality.
e)Deliverability: Practicality, cost-effectiveness, and alignment with planning policy.
The SPD will only be issued to and requested from those participants shortlisted following the Stage 1 judging.
Only the top 3 participants that successfully pass the SPD shall be progressed and invited to participate in Stage 2 of the contest
At Stage 2 in addition to the above criteria the Cost Plan will also be evaluated.
Further detailed information is provided within the Albert Cross Design Contest Brief.
IV.2) Administrative information
IV.2.2) Time limit for receipt of projects or requests to participate
Date:
21/09/2026
Local time: 12:00
IV.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted
EN
IV.3) Rewards and jury
IV.3.1) Information about prize(s)
A prize/prizes will be awarded:
Yes
Number and value of the prize(s) to be awarded:
Each Shortlisted participant progressed to Stage 2 of the Design Contest will be awarded 10,000 (GBP) following receipt of a valid Stage 2 submission and invoice (or similar) to compensate for expenses incurred for the more detailed submission.
IV.3.2) Details of payments to all participants:
Payment of the 10,000 GBP will be made via BACS following receipt of a valid invoice
IV.3.3) Follow-up contracts:
Any service contract following the contest will be awarded to the winner or winners of the contest:
Yes
IV.3.4) Decision of the jury:
The decision of the jury is binding on the contracting authority/entity:
Yes
IV.3.5) Names of the selected members of the jury:
Panel Chair/Representative of the Political Administration
Design Expert 1 - a nationally recognised Architect not practicing within the GIA chapter area
Local elected member
Local representative/Representative of the local community council
Design Expert 2 / GIA Representative Architect
Design Expert 3 / Heritage Expert
Design Expert 4 / Architect representing GCC/NRS Designs Agenda
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.3) Additional information
The following information will be available to participants at Stage 1:
Aerial View overmarked with site boundaries
AutoCAD surveyed elevations of neighbouring gables, with annotated datum levels
East Pollokshields Conservation Area Appraisal
South Central Local Development Framework
The following information will be provided for shortlisted participants at Stage 2:
AutoCAD file of topographical survey
Utility Services locations
Please refer to the Albert Cross Design Brief for further detailed information.
The buyer is using PCS-Tender to conduct this ITT exercise. The Project code is 32586. For more information see: http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/info/InfoCentre.aspx?ID=2343
(SC Ref:840241)
VI.4) Procedures for review
VI.4.1) Review body
Glasgow Sheriff Court and Justice of the Peace Court
PO Box 23, 1 Carlton Place
Glasgow
G5 9DA
UK
E-mail: glasgow@scotcourts.gov.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 Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015 may bring proceedings in the Sheriff Court or Court of Session. Applicable timescales for bringing proceeding are as set out within the regulations.
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
19/08/2026