Contract notice
Section I: Contracting
authority
I.1) Name and addresses
Scottish Fire and Rescue Service
Headquarters, Westburn Drive
Cambuslang
G72 7NA
UK
Telephone: +44 1416464637
E-mail: flexibleprocurement@scotland-excel.org.uk
NUTS: UKM
Internet address(es)
Main address: http://firescotland.gov.uk
Address of the buyer profile: https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA19543
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:
www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk
Additional information can be obtained from the abovementioned address
Tenders or requests to participate must be sent electronically to:
www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk
I.4) Type of the contracting authority
Other: Scottish Fire and Rescue Service
I.5) Main activity
Public order and safety
Section II: Object
II.1) Scope of the procurement
II.1.1) Title
Provision of Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT) Scientific Advisory Services, HAZMAT / Detection, Identification and Monitoring (DIM) Training
Reference number: T3A-061-2526
II.1.2) Main CPV code
71317000
II.1.3) Type of contract
Services
II.1.4) Short description
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) is seeking to appoint suitably qualified and experienced service providers to deliver a multi‑lot contract covering: (1) the provision of 24/7 Scientific Advisory Response and Reach‑Back services to support operational HAZMAT and DIM incidents across Scotland; (2) the delivery of accredited HAZMAT training at Acquisition and Refresher levels; and (3) the delivery of Detection, Identification and Monitoring (DIM) Full Accreditation and Refresher training for specialist SFRS personnel. The contract will support national operational resilience, ensure timely access to specialist scientific advice, and maintain the professional competence of HAZMAT and DIM Officers through structured, accredited training programmes.
II.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT:
1 250 000.00
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
Scientific Advisory Response and Reach Back Services
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
90711100
71600000
75251110
90700000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKM
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
Lot 1 covers the provision of a 24‑hours‑a‑day, 365‑days‑a‑year Scientific Advisory Response and Reach‑Back capability to support the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) during hazardous materials (HAZMAT) and Detection, Identification and Monitoring (DIM) related incidents across Scotland.
The appointed Service Provider will supply suitably qualified Scientific Advisors who can deliver timely on‑site scientific support within defined maximum response times, as well as remote Reach‑Back assistance for operational personnel managing HAZMAT or DIM events. Services include incident risk assessment, interpretation of chemical, radiological and environmental information, technical advice on containment, decontamination, PPE, hazard zones, and the use of SFRS‑provided analytical and monitoring equipment.
The Supplier will also be responsible for maintaining operational readiness, ensuring all advisors remain competent in the use of specialist SFRS equipment, and providing all required incident reports, data returns and performance information. The service must operate consistently under both emergency and spate conditions, with sufficient resilience to meet concurrent demand across all regions of Scotland.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Criteria below:
Quality criterion: Quality
/ Weighting: 60
Price
/ Weighting:
40
II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months: 36
This contract is subject to renewal: Yes
Description of renewals:
The Contract shall be awarded for an initial period of three (3) years), with the option for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to extend for up to two (2) additional periods of twelve (12) months each).
The maximum potential contract duration shall therefore be five (5) years).
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
Lot No: 2
II.2.1) Title
HAZMAT Training
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
80550000
80560000
80531200
80511000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKM
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
Lot 2 covers the delivery of accredited Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT) training for Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) personnel at both Acquisition and Refresher levels. The appointed Service Provider will design, deliver and maintain high‑quality training programmes that develop and sustain the operational competence of SFRS HAZMAT Officers.
Training must combine theoretical instruction with practical learning, incorporating the use of specialist equipment, nationally recognised guidance and safe systems of work relevant to HAZMAT incident response. The Provider will be responsible for ensuring all trainers are suitably qualified, maintain up‑to‑date technical knowledge and are capable of delivering training to nationally accredited standards.
The service includes the provision of all required course materials, assessment processes, student records, and reporting to SFRS. Training may be delivered at SFRS training facilities across Scotland or, where required, at the Provider’s own suitably equipped facilities. The Provider must also support ongoing updates to course content to reflect emerging risks, new equipment, changes in legislation or operational best practice.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Criteria below:
Quality criterion: Quality
/ Weighting: 60
Price
/ Weighting:
40
II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months: 36
This contract is subject to renewal: Yes
Description of renewals:
The Contract shall be awarded for an initial period of three (3) years), with the option for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to extend for up to two (2) additional periods of twelve (12) months each).
The maximum potential contract duration shall therefore be five (5) years).
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
Lot No: 3
II.2.1) Title
DIM Training
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
80531200
80550000
80560000
71900000
71600000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKM
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
Lot 3 covers the delivery of specialist Detection, Identification and Monitoring (DIM) training for Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) personnel, including both Full Accreditation and Refresher level programmes. The appointed Service Provider will develop and deliver high‑quality training that equips DIM Advisors with the technical skills required to safely and effectively operate SFRS DIM equipment and to interpret scientific information during HAZMAT and CBRN‑related incidents.
Training must combine theoretical instruction with practical exercises using relevant monitoring and analytical equipment, ensuring learners can support incident commanders through accurate detection, sampling, analysis and hazard assessment. The Provider must ensure that all trainers are appropriately qualified, maintain current technical knowledge, and deliver training in line with national guidance, best practice and SFRS operational requirements.
The service includes the provision of all course materials, assessment and accreditation processes, training records, and reporting to SFRS. Providers must also update training content and delivery methods to incorporate new DIM equipment entering service during the contract period, ensuring alignment with SFRS policies, procedures and safe systems of work.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Criteria below:
Quality criterion: Quality
/ Weighting: 60
Price
/ Weighting:
40
II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months: 36
This contract is subject to renewal: Yes
Description of renewals:
The Contract shall be awarded for an initial period of three (3) years), with the option for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to extend for up to two (2) additional periods of twelve (12) months each).
The maximum potential contract duration shall therefore be five (5) years).
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
Section IV: Procedure
IV.1) Description
IV.1.1) Type of procedure
Open procedure
IV.1.8) Information about Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement:
Yes
IV.2) Administrative information
IV.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate
Date:
18/03/2026
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
Tender must be valid until:
16/07/2026
IV.2.7) Conditions for opening of tenders
Date:
18/03/2026
Local time: 12:00
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.1) Information about recurrence
This is a recurrent procurement:
No
VI.2) Information about electronic workflows
Electronic invoicing will be accepted
VI.3) Additional information
Scotland Excel is conducting this procurement exercise on behalf of Scottish Fire and Rescue Service however will not be party to the implementation or management of the contract.
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=823530.
The buyer has indicated that it will accept electronic responses to this notice via the Postbox facility. A user guide is available at https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/sitehelp/help_guides.aspx.
Suppliers are advised to allow adequate time for uploading documents and to dispatch the electronic response well in advance of the closing time to avoid any last minute problems.
(SC Ref:823530)
Download the ESPD document here: https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/ESPD/ESPD_Download.aspx?id=823530
VI.4) Procedures for review
VI.4.1) Review body
Glasgow Sheriff Court and Justice of the Peace Court
1 Calton Place
Glasgow
G5 9TW
UK
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
16/02/2026