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
Flexible Framework Agreement for Supported Living and Personal Care for Adults with Learning Disabilities (1st Reopening)
Reference number: CE-163-22-1
II.1.2) Main CPV code
85300000
II.1.3) Type of contract
Services
II.1.4) Short description
Flexible Framework Agreement for Supported Living and Personal Care for Adults with Learning Disabilities (1st Reopening)
II.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots:
No
II.2) Description
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
85310000
85312000
85312310
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKM94
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
South Ayrshire Council wish to seek submissions from suitably qualified and experienced providers to supplement its existing Flexible Framework Agreement for Supported Living and Personal Care for Adults with Learning Disabilities (CE-163-22)
The previously advertised flexible framework which commenced on 15 May 2024 allows for re-opening to new Providers. In accordance with its terms, it is now being opened for New Entrants to be admitted under the same requirements as the original tender exercise and as noted herein.
Providers already appointed to the Framework are not required to resubmit to remain on the Framework.
The estimated value shown in II.1.5 reflects the value advertised at the establishment of the framework which is an estimate and subject to change.
As this service is listed in Schedule 3 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations and the contract value exceeds 663,540 GBP over the contract period, the Council will be using the afforded flexibility of the Light Touch Regime to re-open the framework.
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: 60
This contract is subject to renewal: Yes
Description of renewals:
This Flexible Framework Agreement shall allow for “new entrants” to be admitted as Service Providers, after it has been established. The Flexible Framework Agreement may be reopened at any time to “new entrants” to support continuity of Service delivery and meet future demand.
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:
Service Providers must be appropriately registered with the Care Inspectorate with an approved registration for the client group that Service Providers shall be supporting with the relevant Regulatory Bodies and the Care Inspectorate in terms of the Public Services Reform (Scotland) Act 2010 is required of all Service Providers for:
- Support Service – Care at Home
- Housing Support Services
Evidence for this requirement will be requested at the “Request for Documentation” Stage.
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.2.1) Information about a particular profession
Participation is reserved to a particular profession: Yes
Reference to the relevant law, regulation or administrative provision:
It is a requirement of this procurement that Service Providers and their Staff ensure the accreditation requirements for registration with the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) has taken place within the required timescales
III.2.2) Contract performance conditions
100% Quality
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.
Justification for any framework agreement duration exceeding 4 years: This Framework is a Flexible Framework Agreement operating under the Light Touch Regime and is not subject to the standard 4 year maximum term, allowing for a longer duration where appropriate to the services required.
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:
29/06/2026
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:
29/06/2026
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:
This Flexible Framework Agreement shall allow for “new entrants” to be admitted as Service Providers, after it has been established.
The Flexible Framework Agreement may be reopened at any time to “new entrants” to support continuity of Service delivery and meet future demand.
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
Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in regulation 58 of The Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015 or regulation 8 of The Procurement (Scotland) Regulations 2016
The buyer is using PCS-Tender to conduct this ITT exercise. The Project code is 31581. For more information see: http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/info/InfoCentre.aspx?ID=2343
The Contracting Authority does not intend to include a sub-contract clause as part of community benefits (as per Section 25 of the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014) in this contract for the following reason:
This procurement is not suitable for sub-contracting arrangements, as services are required to be delivered directly by the contracted service providers to maintain accountability, and adherence to contractual obligations.
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:832096)
VI.4) Procedures for review
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
15/05/2026