Contract notice
Section I: Contracting
authority
I.1) Name and addresses
Forestry and Land Scotland
Great Glen House, Leachkin Road
Inverness
IV3 8NW
UK
Telephone: +44 3000676000
E-mail: procurement@forestryandland.gov.scot
NUTS: UKM
Internet address(es)
Main address: http://www.forestryandland.gov.scot
Address of the buyer profile: https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA30371
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:
https://www.publictendersscotland.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/
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/
I.4) Type of the contracting authority
Body governed by public law
I.5) Main activity
Environment
Section II: Object
II.1) Scope of the procurement
II.1.1) Title
FLS - 1730 Bridge Inspections
II.1.2) Main CPV code
71631450
II.1.3) Type of contract
Services
II.1.4) Short description
Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) has a requirement for Bridge Inspections and consists of 6 Lots. The Client will be appointing a single Consultant to each Lot. The Lot structure is as follows:
Lot 1 – Principal Inspection All Scotland
Lot 2 – General Inspection North Scotland
Lot 3 – General Inspection East Scotland
Lot 4 – General Inspection West Scotland
Lot 5 – General Inspection Central Scotland
Lot 6 – General Inspection South Scotland
Lot 1 (Principal Inspections) will be a national single Consultant Contract covering all 5 Scottish Regions within FLS. Appendix 1 provides a map of the lot geographical areas for Lots 2 to 6.
The contract will be for a period of 36 months with the option to extend for a further 1 plus 1 plus 1 at 12 months per extension at FLS discretion.
Lot Bidding Restrictions
Maximum Number of Tenders
- Bidders may submit a maximum of three (3) tenders in total across all lots 1-6.
- Bidders may be awarded up to three (3) lots.
- Submitting more than three tenders may result in exclusion from the procurement.
II.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT:
1 659 711.44
GBP
II.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots:
Yes
Tenders may be submitted for maximum 3 lots
Maximum number of lots that may be awarded to one tenderer: 3
II.2) Description
Lot No: 1
II.2.1) Title
Lot 1 – Principal Inspection All Scotland
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
71631450
71630000
71312000
71313400
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKM
Main site or place of performance:
Covering all of Scotland
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
Lot 1 (Principal Inspections) will be a national single Consultant Contract covering all 5 Scottish Regions within FLS.
Lot Bidding Restrictions
Maximum Number of Tenders
- Bidders may submit a maximum of three (3) tenders in total across all lots 1-6.
- Bidders may be awarded up to three (3) lots.
- Submitting more than three tenders may result in exclusion from the procurement.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Criteria below:
Quality criterion: Quality
/ Weighting: 40%
Price
/ Weighting:
60
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 will be for a period of 36 months with the option to extend for a further 1 plus 1 plus 1 at 12 months per extension at FLS discretion.
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
II.2.14) Additional information
Scotland Excel is acting on behalf of Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) in the execution of this tender but will not be party to the contract or the management of the contract throughout its lifetime.
Lot No: 2
II.2.1) Title
Lot 2 – General Inspection North Scotland
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
71312000
71630000
71631450
71313400
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKM5
Main site or place of performance:
All North of Scotland
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) has a requirement for Bridge Inspections and Lot 2 General Inspections covers the North of Scotland. FLS will be appointing a single Consultant to each Lot.
Lot Bidding Restrictions
Maximum Number of Tenders
- Bidders may submit a maximum of three (3) tenders in total across all lots 1-6.
- Bidders may be awarded up to three (3) lots.
- Submitting more than three tenders may result in exclusion from the procurement.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Criteria below:
Quality criterion: Quality
/ Weighting: 40%
Price
/ Weighting:
60
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 will be for a period of 36 months with the option to extend for a further 1 plus 1 plus 1 at 12 months per extension at FLS discretion.
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
II.2.14) Additional information
Scotland Excel is acting on behalf of Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) in the execution of this tender but will not be party to the contract or the management of the contract throughout its lifetime.
Lot No: 3
II.2.1) Title
Lot 3 – General Inspection East Scotland
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
71630000
71312000
71631450
71313400
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKM7
Main site or place of performance:
All of the East of Scotland
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) has a requirement for Bridge Inspections for Lot 3 General Inspections covering the East of Scotland. FLS will be appointing a single Consultant to each Lot.
Lot Bidding Restrictions
Maximum Number of Tenders
- Bidders may submit a maximum of three (3) tenders in total across all lots 1-6.
- Bidders may be awarded up to three (3) lots.
- Submitting more than three tenders may result in exclusion from the procurement.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Criteria below:
Quality criterion: Quality
/ Weighting: 40%
Price
/ Weighting:
60
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 will be for a period of 36 months with the option to extend for a further 1 plus 1 plus 1 at 12 months per extension at FLS discretion.
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
II.2.14) Additional information
Scotland Excel is acting on behalf of Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) in the execution of this tender but will not be party to the contract or the management of the contract throughout its lifetime.
Lot No: 4
II.2.1) Title
Lot 4 – General Inspection West Scotland
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
71630000
71313400
71631450
71312000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKM8
Main site or place of performance:
All of the West of Scotland
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) has a requirement for Bridge Inspections and Lot 4 General Inspections covers the West of Scotland. FLS will be appointing a single Consultant to each Lot.
Lot Bidding Restrictions
Maximum Number of Tenders
- Bidders may submit a maximum of three (3) tenders in total across all lots 1-6.
- Bidders may be awarded up to three (3) lots.
- Submitting more than three tenders may result in exclusion from the procurement.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Criteria below:
Quality criterion: Quality
/ Weighting: 40%
Price
/ Weighting:
60
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 will be for a period of 36 months with the option to extend for a further 1 plus 1 plus 1 at 12 months per extension at FLS discretion.
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
II.2.14) Additional information
Scotland Excel is acting on behalf of Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) in the execution of this tender but will not be party to the contract or the management of the contract throughout its lifetime.
Lot No: 5
II.2.1) Title
Lot 5 – General Inspection Central Scotland
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
71630000
71631450
71312000
71313400
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKM
Main site or place of performance:
All of Central Scotland
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) has a requirement for Bridge Inspections for Lot 5 General Inspections across all of Central Scotland. FLS will be appointing a single Consultant to each Lot.
Lot Bidding Restrictions
Maximum Number of Tenders
- Bidders may submit a maximum of three (3) tenders in total across all lots 1-6.
- Bidders may be awarded up to three (3) lots.
- Submitting more than three tenders may result in exclusion from the procurement.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Criteria below:
Quality criterion: Quality
/ Weighting: 40%
Price
/ Weighting:
60
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 will be for a period of 36 months with the option to extend for a further 1 plus 1 plus 1 at 12 months per extension at FLS discretion.
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
II.2.14) Additional information
Scotland Excel is acting on behalf of Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) in the execution of this tender but will not be party to the contract or the management of the contract throughout its lifetime.
Lot No: 6
II.2.1) Title
Lot 6 – General Inspection South Scotland
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
71313400
71630000
71312000
71631450
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKM9
Main site or place of performance:
Across all of the South of Scotland.
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) has a requirement for Bridge Inspections for Lot 6 General Inspections across the South of Scotland. FLS will be appointing a single Consultant to each Lot.
Lot Bidding Restrictions
Maximum Number of Tenders
- Bidders may submit a maximum of three (3) tenders in total across all lots 1-6.
- Bidders may be awarded up to three (3) lots.
- Submitting more than three tenders may result in exclusion from the procurement.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Criteria below:
Quality criterion: Quality
/ Weighting: 40%
Price
/ Weighting:
60
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 will be for a period of 36 months with the option to extend for a further 1 plus 1 plus 1 at 12 months per extension at FLS discretion.
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
II.2.14) Additional information
Scotland Excel is acting on behalf of Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) in the execution of this tender but will not be party to the contract or the management of the contract throughout its lifetime.
Section III: Legal, economic, financial and technical information
III.1) Conditions for participation
III.1.2) Economic and financial standing
List and brief description of selection criteria:
It is a requirement of this contract that bidders hold, or can commit to obtain prior to the commence of any subsequently awarded contract, the types and levels of insurance indicated below:
Employer’s (Compulsory) Liability Insurance = 5,000,000 GBP each and every claim without limit to the number of claims. For the duration of the services and for 1 year following Completion.
Public Liability Insurance = 5,000,000 GBP each and every claim without limit to the number of claims. For the duration of the services and for 1 year following Completion.
For Principal Inspection (Lot 1)
Professional Risk Indemnity = 2,000,000 GBP each and every claim without limit to the number of claims. For the duration of the services and for 6 years following Completion.
For General Inspection (Lots 2-6)
Professional Risk Indemnity = 2,000,000 GBP each and every claim without limit to the number of claims. For the duration of the services and for 2 years following Completion.
Please note, it is a legal requirement that all Tenderers hold a minimum of 5,000,000 Employers (Compulsory) Liability Insurance except those companies which are exempt in specific circumstances. For further guidance see: http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/hse40.pdf
III.1.3) Technical and professional ability
List and brief description of selection criteria:
4C.1 Please provide examples that demonstrate that they have the relevant experience to deliver the services/supplies as described in part II.2.4 of the Find a Tender Service Contract Notice or the relevant section of the Site Notice.
If you are applying for Principal Inspection (Lot 1):
Provide one example that demonstrates experience of delivering a similar principal bridge inspection.
If you are applying for General Inspection (Lots 2-6):
Provide one example that demonstrates experience of delivering a similar general bridge inspection.
If you are applying for both Principal Inspection and General Inspection, please provide one example for Principal Inspection and one example for General Inspection as detailed above.
Bidders must ensure that they provide contact details for the customer/client for each example in order for FLS to verify the examples provided.
4C.4 If bidders intend to use a supply chain to deliver the requirements detailed in the Contract Notice, they must confirm they have (or have access to) the relevant supply chain management and tracking systems to ensure a resilient and sustainable supply chain. This will include confirmation that they have the systems in place to pay subcontractors through the supply chain promptly and effectively, and provide evidence when requested of:
a) their standard payment terms
b) ≥95% of all supply chain invoices being paid on time (in accordance with the terms of contract) in the last financial year.
If the bidder is unable to confirm (b) they must provide an improvement plan, signed by their Director, which improves the payment performance.
4C.6 Please confirm that all personnel proposed for this contract meet the qualification requirements specified in the tender documents.
4C.10 Please provide details of the proportion (i.e. percentage) of the contract that you intend to subcontract.
III.2) Conditions related to the contract
III.2.3) Information about staff responsible for the performance of the contract
Obligation to indicate the names and professional qualifications of the staff assigned to performing 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:
24/08/2026
Local time: 12:00
IV.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted
EN
IV.2.7) Conditions for opening of tenders
Date:
24/08/2026
Local time: 12:00
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.1) Information about recurrence
This is a recurrent procurement:
Yes
Estimated timing for further notices to be published:
There is currently no estimated timing for further notices to be published in relation to this tender.
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
Scotland Excel is acting on behalf of Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) in the execution of this tender but will not be party to the contract or the management of the contract throughout its lifetime.
The buyer is using PCS-Tender to conduct this ITT exercise. The Project code is 31251. For more information see: http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/info/InfoCentre.aspx?ID=2343
(SC Ref:824530)
VI.4) Procedures for review
VI.4.1) Review body
The Inverness Justice Centre
Longman Road
Inverness
IV1 1AH
UK
E-mail: inverness@scotcourts.gov.uk
VI.4.3) Review procedure
Precise information on deadline(s) for review procedures:
An economic operator that suffers, or is at risk of suffering, loss or damage attributable to a breach of duty under the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015 or the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 , may bring proceedings in the Sheriff Court or the Court of Session.
VI.4.4) Service from which information about the review procedure may be obtained
Court of Session
Parliament House, Parliament Square
Edinburgh
EH1 1RQ
UK
E-mail: supreme.courts@scotcourts.gov.uk
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
10/07/2026