Prior information notice
This notice is for prior information only
Section I: Contracting
authority
I.1) Name and addresses
Scottish Government
5 Atlantic Quay, 150 Broomielaw
Glasgow
G2 8LU
UK
Telephone: +44 412425466
E-mail: campbell.forsyth2@gov.scot
NUTS: UKM
Internet address(es)
Main address: http://www.scotland.gov.uk
Address of the buyer profile: https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA10482
I.2) Joint procurement
The contract is awarded by a central purchasing body
I.3) Communication
Additional information can be obtained from the abovementioned address
I.4) Type of the contracting authority
National or federal agency/office
I.5) Main activity
General public services
Section II: Object
II.1) Scope of the procurement
II.1.1) Title
Secure Transport and Escort of Children
Reference number: CASE / 850444
II.1.2) Main CPV code
60130000
II.1.3) Type of contract
Services
II.1.4) Short description
Secure Transport and Escort of Children between courts, secure centres, hospitals, and other premises across Scotland.
II.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT:
720 000.00
GBP
II.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots:
No
II.2) Description
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
75231220
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKM
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
Scottish Ministers are responsible for the placement and management of children under the age of 18 who are sentenced to detention by the courts, including responsibility for their secure transportation. Legislative changes introduced through the Children (Care and Justice) (Scotland) Act 2024 reinforce Scotland’s commitment to a rights-based, trauma-informed, child-centred justice system.
The service will provide secure transport and escort services for children between courts, secure centres, hospitals, and other premises across Scotland. This will include, but is not limited to planned, unplanned and standby escorts, and custody and supervision at court, and transfer arrangements when a child reaches the age of 18, where required. The Service will only cover children whose secure transport and escort are the responsibility of Scottish Ministers.
The contract is anticipated to commence in January 2027 for a period of 36 months with the option to extend by up to a further 24 months.
The contract value is projected at 160,000 GBP per annum. The initial contract period value is not anticipated to exceed 480,000 GBP. If extended by a further 24 months, then the total contract value is not anticipated to exceed 720,000 GBP
II.2.14) Additional information
All information published in this Prior Information Notice is subject to change. The Scottish Government is currently engaging with
internal policy areas and key stakeholders to finalise the Specifications for this requirement. The Scottish Government reserve the right not to proceed at any point with the procurement.
II.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice:
26/06/2026
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 are requested to register their interest by reviewing and completing the attached Microsoft Form Request for
Information.
Please complete the Microsoft Form Request for Information document below as fully as possible to inform this requirement and allow
Scottish Government to review responses. You will require to copy and paste the link below into your browser for access.
https://forms.office.com/e/UDB05aa1Ez
Please submit your response by 12:00 noon on 29 May 2026.
Depending on the level of interest generated by this Prior Information Notice, the Scottish Government reserves the right to host a
Suppliers’ Day.
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=831266.
(SC Ref:831266)
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
08/05/2026