Contract notice
Section I: Contracting
authority
I.1) Name and addresses
VisitScotland
Waverley Court, 4 East Market Street
Edinburgh
EH8 8BG
UK
Contact person: Gemma Beach
E-mail: gemma.beach@visitscotland.com
NUTS: UKM
Internet address(es)
Main address: http://www.visitscotland.com
Address of the buyer profile: https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA00118
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
Electronic communication requires the use of tools and devices that are not generally available. Unrestricted and full direct access to these tools and devices is possible, free of charge, at:
www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk
I.4) Type of the contracting authority
Body governed by public law
I.5) Main activity
Other: Tourism
Section II: Object
II.1) Scope of the procurement
II.1.1) Title
VisitScotland Global Strategic Communications and Media
Reference number: VSEH26008
II.1.2) Main CPV code
79416000
II.1.3) Type of contract
Services
II.1.4) Short description
A supplier is required to lead VisitScotland Business Events’ global strategic communications, positioning Scotland as a worldclass, policy aligned business events destination. It is needed to amplify the work of the BE team to manage an international press office; shape messaging for major global tradeshows and support the development of national initiatives including a new National Influencer Network, and the forthcoming National Business Events Strategy.
This supplier is further needed to elevate and to maintain Scotland’s visibility and credibility on the global stage, influence key decisionmakers across sectors, strengthen policy-aligned storytelling, and ensure Scotland is recognised internationally as a leader in business events that drive economic, societal, and knowledge exchange impact.
The appointed supplier will work closely with the sole existing dedicated business events PR supplier in North America which has focus almost exclusively on Corporate & Incentive geographical markets, as well as the VisitScotland Corporate Affairs team.
II.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT:
348 000.00
GBP
II.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots:
No
II.2) Description
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
79416200
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UK
Main site or place of performance:
Edinburgh
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
A supplier is required to lead VisitScotland Business Events’ global strategic communications, positioning Scotland as a worldclass, policy aligned business events destination. It is needed to amplify the work of the Business Events team to manage an international press office; shape messaging for major global tradeshows and support the development of national initiatives including a new National Influencer Network, and the forthcoming National Business Events Strategy.
This supplier is further needed to elevate and to maintain Scotland’s visibility and credibility on the global stage, influence key decisionmakers across sectors, strengthen policy-aligned storytelling, and ensure Scotland is recognised internationally as a leader in business events that drive economic, societal, and knowledge exchange impact.
The appointed supplier will work closely with the sole existing dedicated business events PR supplier in North America which has focus almost exclusively on Corporate & Incentive geographical markets, as well as the VisitScotland Corporate Affairs team.
The Contract will be awarded for an initial period of 12 months, with the option to award it for two further 12 month periods (subject to satisfactory supplier performance and ongoing requirement)
II.2.5) Award criteria
Criteria below:
Quality criterion: Quality
/ Weighting: 70
Price
/ Weighting:
30
II.2.6) Estimated value
Value excluding VAT:
348 000.00
GBP
II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months: 12
This contract is subject to renewal: Yes
Description of renewals:
Two 12 month optional extensions are included
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 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:
N/A
III.1.2) Economic and financial standing
Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents
III.1.3) Technical and professional ability
Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents
III.2) Conditions related to the contract
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:
31/07/2026
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:
31/12/2026
IV.2.7) Conditions for opening of tenders
Date:
31/07/2026
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 ordering will be used
Electronic invoicing will be accepted
Electronic payment will be used
VI.3) Additional information
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=836051.
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:836051)
Download the ESPD document here: https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/ESPD/ESPD_Download.aspx?id=836051
VI.4) Procedures for review
VI.4.1) Review body
Edinburgh Sheriff Court
Edinburgh
UK
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
30/06/2026