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

II.1.1) Title

Reference number: 0325

II.1.2) Main CPV code

15500000

II.1.3) Type of contract

Supplies

II.1.4) Short description

This contract notice is in relation to the new framework for 0325 Supply and Distribution of Milk and Dairy Free Alternatives. These products are for, but not limited to, use within schools, nurseries and council buildings, It is anticipated that the scope of products covered under the framework will provide a range of products including but not limited to whole milk, semi skimmed milk, skimmed milk, organic milk, cream and dairy free alternatives which Councils may require.

II.1.5) Estimated total value

Value excluding VAT: 36 000 000.00  GBP

II.1.6) Information about lots

This contract is divided into lots: Yes

Tenders may be submitted for all lots

Lot No: 1

Lot No: 2

Lot No: 3

III.1.2) Economic and financial standing

List and brief description of selection criteria:

1. SPD (Scotland) Question 4B.5: 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, these Economic and Financial Standing selection criteria apply separately in relation to each individual Lot.

Minimum level(s) of standards required:

It is a requirement of this contract that tenderers hold, or can commit to obtain prior to the commencement of any subsequently awarded contract, the types and levels of insurance indicated below:

ALL LOTS

EMPLOYERS (COMPULSORY) LIABILITY INSURANCE - no less than GBP 10 million in respect of each and every claim.

PUBLIC/PRODUCTS LIABILITY INSURANCE - Minimum of GBP 10 million, in respect of each and every claim, and in the aggregate for products.

MOTOR VEHICLE INSURANCE - statutory Third Party motor vehicle insurance to a minimum indemnity limit of GBP 5 million in respect of each claim and without limit to the number of claims for property damage, and unlimited for Third Party injury.

For tenderers who will sub contract parts of the business, it is a requirement that the tenderer requires to provide a letter signed by a person of appropriate authority confirming that the tenderer has ongoing arrangements in place to ensure that subcontractors’ vehicles are appropriately insured and maintained.

LIMITATIONS ON LIABILITY are detailed in the published terms and conditions of contract. FURTHER LIMITATIONS on LIABILITY ARE NOT ACCEPTED.

Other Economic and Financial Requirements.

Tenderers will pass the economic and financial standing test where Scotland Excel is assured of the tenderer’s financial viability and sustainability for participation in the contract. As such, an Equifax search of the tenderer must not identify financial risk by means of: an adverse rating; or warning; or caution code. Where such a risk is identified at any stage of the exercise, the tenderer will fail selection and be excluded from award. At Scotland Excel’s sole discretion, alternative means of proof may be considered in accordance with Regulation 61 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015.

SCOTLAND EXCEL MUST BE NOTIFIED OF ANY CHANGE OF CIRCUMSTANCES WHICH IMPACTS ON THE ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL STANDING TEST. AWARD RECOMMENDATIONS ARE SUBJECT TO CONTINUED COMPLIANCE WITH THE TENDER REQUIREMENTS.

Tenderers relying on the financial standing of a parent company who are unable to commit to obtaining a parent company guarantee may be assessed as a FAIL and will be excluded from the competition.

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 separately in relation to each individual lot :

1. SPD (Scotland) Question 4C.1: Supply & Services Contracts

2. SPD (Scotland) Question 4C.10:Subcontracting

3. SPD (Scotland) Question 4D.1: Quality Assurance Scheme and Health and Safety Procedures

4. 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 0325 Information and Instructions to Tenderers document, which can be found in the "Information and Instructions" folder in the Buyer Attachment area, within ITT 60082 of project 29749.

SPD (SCOTLAND) QUESTION 4D.1 - QUALITY ASSURANCE SCHEMES:

The tenderer must have the following: The tenderer MUST HOLD a UKAS (or equivalent) accredited independent third party certificate of compliance in accordance with BS EN ISO 9001 (or equivalent).

OR A documented policy regarding quality management.

The policy must set out responsibilities for quality management demonstrating that the tenderer has and continues to implement a quality management policy that is authorised by their Chief Executive, or equivalent, and is periodically reviewed at a senior management level. The policy must be relevant to the nature and scale of the work to be undertaken and set out responsibilities for quality management throughout the organisation.

SPD (SCOTLAND) QUESTION 4D.1 - HEALTH AND SAFETY PROCEDURES:

The tenderer must have the following:

The tenderer MUST HOLD a UKAS (or equivalent), accredited independent third party certificate of compliance in accordance with BS ISO 45001 (or equivalent) or have, within the last 12 months, successfully met the assessment requirements of a scheme in registered membership of the Safety Schemes in Procurement (SSIP) forum.

OR

A regularly reviewed and documented policy for Health and Safety (H&S) management, endorsed by the Chief Executive Officer, or equivalent. The policy must be relevant to the nature and scale of the work and set out responsibilities for H&S management at all levels within the organisation. The policy must be relevant to the nature and scale of your operations and set out your company's responsibilities of health and safety management and compliance with legislation.

SPD (SCOTLAND) QUESTION 4D.2 - ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT STANDARDS:

The tenderer must have the following: The tenderer MUST HOLD a UKAS (or equivalent) accredited independent third party certificate of compliance with BS EN ISO 14001 (or equivalent) or a valid EMAS (or equivalent) certificate.

OR

A regularly reviewed documented policy regarding environmental management, authorised by the Chief Executive, or equivalent. This policy must include and describe the tenderer's environmental emergency response procedures including the preparedness and response procedures for potential accidents and emergency response situations that give rise to significant environmental impacts (for example hazardous substances spill control).

III.2.2) Contract performance conditions

Tenderers require to confirm their acceptance of the terms and conditions conditions and all Goods to be supplied must be provided in accordance with the applicable Law and contract requirements. TENDERS MADE SUBJECT TO CONDITIONS MAY NOT BE CONSIDERED AND MAY BE REFUSED ON THE GROUNDS OF SUCH CONDITIONS ALONE. Scotland Excel may 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 and may require them to assume a specific legal form for the purposes of the appointment to the Framework. For further information relative to the submission of consortia tenders, tenders by groups of economic operators and sub-contracting, please refer to the tender documentation available in the relevant PCS-T project for this procurement exercise.

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.

IV.1.6) Information about electronic auction

An electronic auction will be used

Additional information about electronic auction:

Whether an electronic auction will be used is at the discretion of each Scotland Excel Council, Associate Member or other Bodies Participating which will be settled by them during the procedure for the call-off of a contract under this proposed framework agreement.

IV.1.8) Information about Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)

The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes

IV.2.1) Previous publication concerning this procedure

Notice number in the OJ S:

2025/S 000-020173

IV.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate

Date: 23/01/2026

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: 23/01/2026

Local time: 12:00

Place:

Scotland Excel Offices, Renfrewshire House, Cotton Street, Paisley, PA1 1AR

VI.4.1) Review body

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 (SSI 2015/446) (as amended) may bring proceedings in the Sheriff Court or the Court of Session.