Prior information notice
This notice is for prior information only
Section I: Contracting
authority
I.1) Name and addresses
The City of Edinburgh Council
Waverley Court, 4 East Market Street
Edinburgh
EH8 8BG
UK
Contact person: Ben Fulton
E-mail: ben.fulton@edinburgh.gov.uk
NUTS: UKM75
Internet address(es)
Main address: http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk
Address of the buyer profile: https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA00290
I.3) Communication
Additional information can be obtained from the abovementioned address
I.4) Type of the contracting authority
Regional or local authority
I.5) Main activity
General public services
Section II: Object
II.1) Scope of the procurement
II.1.1) Title
Overseas Educational Travel Services
Reference number: CT1849
II.1.2) Main CPV code
63510000
II.1.3) Type of contract
Services
II.1.4) Short description
The City of Edinburgh Council is publishing this Prior Information Notice to advise the market of its intention to tender a contract for the provision of Overseas Educational Travel Services and to invite engagement from suitably qualified and experienced providers ahead of a formal procurement exercise.
II.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots:
No
II.2) Description
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
63511000
55110000
60400000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKM75
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
The services will support overseas curriculum-linked trips and educational visits undertaken by pupils attending Edinburgh primary and secondary schools. The scope is expected to include:
End-to-end itinerary design, coordination, and management for overseas school trips
Booking and management of transport (air, rail, and coach as appropriate)
Sourcing and quality assurance of accommodation suitable for school groups
Organisation of excursions, cultural visits, and curriculum-linked activities
Preparation of destination-specific risk assessments and travel safety documentation
Arrangement of appropriate travel insurance covering pupils, accompanying staff, and supervisors
24-hour in-trip emergency support and crisis management capability
Compliance with all relevant child protection, safeguarding, and health and safety requirements applicable in Scotland
Trips will be principally within Europe, though the contract may also accommodate occasional longer-haul visits. The City of Edinburgh Council operates a sizeable school estate of over 100 primary and secondary schools across the city.
II.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice:
01/10/2026
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
Interested organisations should note interest and may be contacted for further follow up information prior to a tender process.
It is expected that any formal procurement will require tenderers to demonstrate, as a minimum:
Valid ATOL protection and ABTA membership (or equivalent bonding and consumer protection arrangements) sufficient to cover the services provided
Compliance with the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018
Demonstrable experience of designing and delivering overseas group travel for school-age children on behalf of local authorities or equivalent public sector clients
Robust safeguarding, child protection, and group supervision procedures — including, in respect of any staff engaging in regulated roles with children, compliance with the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007 and the mandatory PVG scheme membership requirement in force from April 2025
Comprehensive public liability, employers' liability, and professional indemnity insurance at levels proportionate to the contract value
Clear escalation and 24/7 emergency response protocols for incidents occurring overseas
Hold current STF Assured Membership, or be able to demonstrate equivalent independently audited safety management standards, financial protection, and educational travel competence as assessed against the STF Code of Practice
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=832866.
(SC Ref:832866)
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
21/07/2026