Prior information notice
This notice is for prior information only
Section I: Contracting
authority
I.1) Name and addresses
Scottish Government
5 Atlantic Quay, 150 Broomielaw
Glasgow
G2 8LU
UK
Contact person: Stuart Riach
E-mail: stuart.riach2@gov.scot
NUTS: UKM
Internet address(es)
Main address: https://www.gov.scot/
Address of the buyer profile: https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA10482
I.2) Joint procurement
The contract is awarded by a central purchasing body
I.3) Communication
Additional information can be obtained from the abovementioned address
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
General public services
Section II: Object
II.1) Scope of the procurement
II.1.1) Title
DLGH Audit Services for Local Authority Verifiers & Certification Scheme Providers
Reference number: CASE/787743
II.1.2) Main CPV code
79212000
II.1.3) Type of contract
Services
II.1.4) Short description
The Scottish Government Building Standards Division (BSD) intends to run an open procurement procedure to award a contract with an external service provider for the development and provision of audit services. The Building (Scotland) Act 2003 sets out the role of verifiers and certification scheme providers with the Scottish building standards system and allows their appointment to perform their respective roles. Appointment of both verifiers and certification scheme providers is conditional on their ability to continue to meet the requirements of their respective Operating Frameworks (verification & certification) with periodic audits identified as one of the conditions of appointment.
II.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots:
No
II.2) Description
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKM
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
Subject to confirmation of the final requirements, the scope of the contract will include the following:
Audit of verifiers
- develop an audit plan including an audit strategy and specific audit procedures to assess performance of each local authority verifier against the Operating Framework (verification).
- develop an audit programme and deliver initial audits for all 32 verifiers between January 2026 – October 2028.
- prepare a draft audit report and final report for each verifier.
- advise on timing for stage 2 audits over the lifetime of the contract and develop a future audit cycle.
- allow provision for spot audits where risks/needs arise.
Audit of certification scheme providers
- develop an audit plan including an audit strategy and specific audit procedures to assess performance of the certification scheme providers against the Operating Framework.
- develop an audit programme and deliver an audit of each scheme (6) by end April 2026.
- prepare a draft audit report and final report for each scheme.
- review and provide advice on the appropriateness and suggestions for change to the Operating Framework (certification) ahead of the re-appointment process May – October 2026.
- undertake a further audit of each scheme provider in the financial year 2027- 2028.
- advise on a future audit cycle.
- allow provision for spot audits where risks/needs arise
- Reviewing the Operating Framework (certification) and providing a recommendation report on appropriateness and suggestions for change or improvement.
II.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice:
14/07/2025
Section IV: Procedure
IV.1) Description
IV.1.8) Information about Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement:
Yes
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.3) Additional information
Please register your interest in this Prior Information Notice if the requirement aligns with your capabilities and you would be likely to submit a bid.
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=802447.
(SC Ref:802447)
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
26/06/2025