The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge at:
Lot No: 1
II.2.1) Title
Communicating: General
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
80500000
80510000
80521000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKM82
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
This Lot focuses on supporting postgraduate researchers to develop effective communication skills for public, professional, and non academic contexts. The emphasis is on enabling researchers to communicate their work, expertise, and professional identity clearly and confidently to a range of audiences beyond the academic community.
Proposed course packages will collectively address the following areas as a minimum:
- Public engagement and outreach
- Developing and communicating a personal voice or professional profile
- Effective and responsible use of social media
- Building and engaging with professional and external networks
Courses will be relevant to researchers across disciplines and career aspirations.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Criteria below:
Quality criterion: Quality
/ Weighting: 50%
Price
/ Weighting:
50%
II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months: 48
This contract is subject to renewal: Yes
Description of renewals:
The contract duration is 24-months, with the option to extend for up to an additional two 12-month periods. The Contracting Authority reserves the right to utilise the extension periods at its 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
Lot No: 2
II.2.1) Title
Communicating: Academic
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
80500000
80510000
80521000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKM82
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
This Lot focuses on supporting postgraduate researchers to develop effective communication skills within academic and research contexts. The emphasis is on enabling researchers to communicate their research clearly and confidently to academic audiences through a range of formal and informal formats.
Proposed course packages will collectively address the following areas as a minimum:
- Academic presentation skills, including introductory and more advanced approaches
- Poster design and poster presentation
- Preparation for the viva examination
- Short format research communication, such as Three Minute Thesis–style presentations
Suppliers will consider how academic communication conventions may vary across disciplines and career
II.2.5) Award criteria
Criteria below:
Quality criterion: Quality
/ Weighting: 50%
Price
/ Weighting:
50%
II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months: 48
This contract is subject to renewal: Yes
Description of renewals:
The contract duration is 24-months, with the option to extend for up to an additional two 12-month periods. The Contracting Authority reserves the right to utilise the extension periods at its 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
Lot No: 3
II.2.1) Title
Thriving in Your Research
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
80500000
80510000
80521000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKM82
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
This Lot focuses on supporting researchers’ personal effectiveness, wellbeing, and ability to sustain progress throughout the doctoral journey. The emphasis of this Lot is on equipping researchers with practical tools and approaches to sustain progress, manage challenges, and navigate the expectations and demands of doctoral study.
Proposed course packages will collectively address the following areas as a minimum:
- Understanding and navigating the doctoral research journey, including expectations, milestones, and common challenges
- Time, workload, and self-management strategies appropriate for independent research
- Strategies for addressing confidence, imposter syndrome, and researcher identity
- Resilience, wellbeing, and sustainable working practices
- General professional skills that support effective research practice and progression
Provision will be inclusive and sensitive to the varied experiences of researchers across disciplines and stages.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Criteria below:
Quality criterion: Quality
/ Weighting: 50%
Price
/ Weighting:
50%
II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months: 48
This contract is subject to renewal: Yes
Description of renewals:
The contract duration is 24-months, with the option to extend for up to an additional two 12-month periods. The Contracting Authority reserves the right to utilise the extension periods at its 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
Lot No: 4
II.2.1) Title
Writing: General
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
80500000
80510000
80521000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKM82
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
This Lot focuses on supporting postgraduate researchers to develop general writing skills that are applicable across disciplinary, academic, and professional contexts. The emphasis is on improving clarity, style, and effectiveness in writing through practical techniques that support researchers’ broader development.
Proposed course packages will collectively address the following areas as a minimum:
- Writing styles and techniques applicable across contexts
- Reflective and narrative writing
- Editing strategies, tools, and techniques to improve written work
Courses will be suitable for researchers from a wide range of disciplinary backgrounds.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Criteria below:
Quality criterion: Quality
/ Weighting: 50%
Price
/ Weighting:
50%
II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months: 48
This contract is subject to renewal: Yes
Description of renewals:
The contract duration is 24-months, with the option to extend for up to an additional two 12-month periods. The Contracting Authority reserves the right to utilise the extension periods at its 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
Lot No: 5
II.2.1) Title
Writing: Academic
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
80500000
80510000
80521000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKM82
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
This Lot focuses on supporting postgraduate researchers to develop academic writing skills for doctoral level research outputs and publication related activity. The emphasis is on enabling researchers to produce clear, well structured, and discipline appropriate academic writing across different stages of their doctoral studies.
Proposed course packages will collectively address the following areas as a minimum:
- Writing for publication in academic journals across a range of disciplinary contexts (e.g. STEAM, Humanities, Social Sciences, Business)
- Conducting and writing literature reviews
- Structuring and developing academic writing for the thesis
- Writing for research funding or grant applications
Suppliers may propose cross disciplinary provision or discipline adapted approaches where appropriate.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Criteria below:
Quality criterion: Quality
/ Weighting: 50%
Price
/ Weighting:
50%
II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months: 48
This contract is subject to renewal: Yes
Description of renewals:
The contract duration is 24-months, with the option to extend for up to an additional two 12-month periods. The Contracting Authority reserves the right to utilise the extension periods at its 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
Lot No: 6
II.2.1) Title
Centre for Doctoral Training Programme
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
80500000
80510000
80521000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKM82
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
The successful supplier will work directly with the CDT Management Team to deliver a structured programme of professional and transferable skills development for CDT doctoral researchers.
The supplier will be required to:
- Deliver a defined cohort-based development pathway across Years 1–4 of doctoral study;
- Deliver training fully in-person at the University campuses or agreed locations;
- Deliver highly interactive, workshop-based training suitable for STEM and interdisciplinary doctoral researchers;
- Tailor examples, activities, scenarios, and case studies to the context of applied quantum technologies and related research environments;
- Complement existing technical and academic provision rather than duplicate it;
- Work collaboratively with the CDT Management Team to refine delivery while maintaining the agreed programme structure.
The supplier will be responsible for designing and delivering course content that:
- Addresses the stated themes and learning aims of the CDT programme;
- Reflects current good practice in researcher development and higher education training;
- Supports active participation, collaboration, and practical skills development;
- Is inclusive, accessible, and suitable for a diverse postgraduate researcher population;
- Demonstrates clear progression in skills and development across the four-year programme.
Suppliers will demonstrate how the programme develops researchers progressively from transition into doctoral study through to leadership, industry engagement, and career transition.
Tailoring will focus on contextual relevance and delivery approach and will not substantially alter the overall structure, sequencing, or intended learning outcomes of the programme.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Criteria below:
Quality criterion: Quality
/ Weighting: 50%
Price
/ Weighting:
50%
II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months: 48
This contract is subject to renewal: Yes
Description of renewals:
The contract duration is 24-months, with the option to extend for up to an additional two 12-month periods. The Contracting Authority reserves the right to utilise the extension periods at its 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
III.1.2) Economic and financial standing
List and brief description of selection criteria:
Economic and Financial Standing 4B1.2
The bidder should provide its average yearly turnover for the number of financial years specified in the relevant Contract Notice. A minimum average yearly turnover of GBP50,000 for the last 3 (three) years across all lots.
Minimum level(s) of standards required:
4B.5.1 – 4B.5.3
Insurances
It is a requirement of this contract that bidders can hold or commit to obtain prior to the commencement of any subsequently awarded contract, the types of insurance indicated below
- The Contractor shall maintain in force with reputable insurers employer’s liability insurance and public liability insurance in the sum of not less than GBP10,000,000 in respect of any one incident and unlimited as to numbers of claims. The Contractor shall maintain in force with reputable insurers professional liability insurance in the sum of not less than GBP2,000,000 in respect of any one incident and unlimited as to numbers of claims.
III.1.3) Technical and professional ability
List and brief description of selection criteria:
Technical and Professional Ability
4C.1.2
Please provide relevant examples of previous experiences carried out in the last 3 years as specified in the contract Notice 3(nr).
Minimum level(s) of standards required:
Statement: Bidders will be required to provide examples (3) that demonstrate that they have the relevant experience to deliver the services as described in part II.2.4 of the Find a Tender Service Contract Notice or the relevant section of the Site Notice. Examples provided should be relevant and proportionate to the procurement exercise.
This question will have a minimum score of 2. (Bidders that do not achieve this score may be eliminated from the tender at this stage in the evaluation)
Bidders that do not pass the above Selection Criteria may be eliminated from the tender at this stage in the evaluation.
All tenderers passing the above SPD Selection Criteria will be taken forward to the Tender Technical and Price evaluation
Communications will be conducted through PCS-T messaging facility. No discussion on the contract will be undertaken with any supplier out with the messaging facility. Bidders should not approach any University contact they may have in relation to the scope of the tender.
In line with Regulation 72 - Modification of Contracts During their Term, of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015, this Contract may be modified without a new procurement procedure in accordance with this Part in some cases.
The buyer is using PCS-Tender to conduct this ITT exercise. The Project code is 32072. For more information see: http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/info/InfoCentre.aspx?ID=2343
A sub-contract clause has been included in this contract. For more information see: http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/info/InfoCentre.aspx?ID=2363