Contract notice
Section I: Contracting
authority
I.1) Name and addresses
South Ayrshire Council
County Buildings, Wellington Square
Ayr
KA7 1DR
UK
Telephone: +44 3001230900
E-mail: procurement@south-ayrshire.gov.uk
NUTS: UKM94
Internet address(es)
Main address: http://www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/procurement/
Address of the buyer profile: https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA00405
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/esop/pts-host/public/pts/web/login.html
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/esop/pts-host/public/pts/web/login.html
Tenders or requests to participate must be sent to 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
Re-opening of the South Ayrshire Local Employability Partnership (SALEP) Trusted Partner Flexible Framework Agreement (FFA)
Reference number: CE-13-24
II.1.2) Main CPV code
80521000
II.1.3) Type of contract
Services
II.1.4) Short description
South Ayrshire Council are re-opening the South Ayrshire Local Employability Partnership (SALEP) Trusted Partner Flexible Framework Agreement (FFA) and are seeking submissions from suitably qualified and experienced training providers, the third sector and other organisations to supplement its existing Flexible Framework Agreement to deliver all-age, person-centred programme of support to those looking to gain the relevant skills and knowledge to progress to meaningful, sustainable employment.
The previously advertised Flexible Framework Agreement, which commenced on 26th November 2025, allows for re-opening to new Service Providers / Training Providers.
The scope of the Flexible Framework falls within the ‘Social and Other Specific Services’ category and is subject to the procurement regimes set out under the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015.
As such, this “Light Touch Regime” allows a flexible approach which will permit New Entrants to submit tender offers for inclusion of Services on the FFA.
In accordance with its terms, the FFA is now being re-opened for New Entrants to be admitted under the same requirements as the original tender exercise and as noted herein.
If you are a Service Provider / Training Provider who is already appointed to the Flexible Framework Agreement, you are NOT required to resubmit to remain on the FFA.
II.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots:
No
II.2) Description
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
80000000
80500000
80521000
80570000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKM94
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
South Ayrshire Council are re-opening the South Ayrshire Local Employability Partnership (SALEP) Trusted Partner Flexible Framework Agreement (FFA) and are seeking submissions from suitably qualified and experienced training providers, the third sector and other organisations to supplement its existing Flexible Framework Agreement to deliver all-age, person-centred programme of support to those looking to gain the relevant skills and knowledge to progress to meaningful, sustainable employment.
The previously advertised Flexible Framework Agreement, which commenced on 26th November 2025, allows for re-opening to new Service Providers / Training Providers.
The scope of the Flexible Framework falls within the ‘Social and Other Specific Services’ category and is subject to the procurement regimes set out under the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015.
As such, this “Light Touch Regime” allows a flexible approach which will permit New Entrants to submit tender offers for inclusion of Services on the FFA.
In accordance with its terms, the FFA is now being re-opened for New Entrants to be admitted under the same requirements as the original tender exercise and as noted herein.
If you are a Service Provider / Training Provider who is already appointed to the Flexible Framework Agreement, you are NOT required to resubmit to remain on the FFA.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents
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:
Yes – further notices for any future generation of this Flexible Framework Agreement are expected to be published circa September 2027.
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
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.1.3) Information about a framework agreement or a dynamic purchasing system
The procurement involves the establishment of a framework agreement with several operators.
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:
06/06/2025
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
Duration in months: 4 (from the date stated for receipt of tender)
IV.2.7) Conditions for opening of tenders
Date:
06/06/2025
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:
Yes – further notices for any future generation of this Flexible Framework Agreement are expected to be published circa September 2027.
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
The buyer is using PCS-Tender to conduct this ITT exercise. The Project code is 29085. For more information see: http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/info/InfoCentre.aspx?ID=2343
Community benefits are included in this requirement. For more information see: https://www.gov.scot/policies/public-sector-procurement/community-benefits-in-procurement/
A summary of the expected community benefits has been provided as follows:
This procurement will include a Community Benefit requirement.
It has become clear that there is scope within the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 which applies to public contracts, to use contracts to deliver wider social benefits such as:
- Targeted recruitment and training (providing employment and training opportunities/Apprenticeships)
- SME and social enterprise development
- Community engagement
As part of your tender response, Tenderers are requested to provide an outline of all community benefits they can offer for this contract.
(SC Ref:797623)
VI.4) Procedures for review
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
01/05/2025