Contract notice
Section I: Contracting
authority
I.1) Name and addresses
Social Security Scotland
3rd Floor, Agnes Husband House, 17 South Union Street
Dundee
DD1 4BF
UK
Telephone: +44 1412425913
E-mail: procurement@socialsecurity.gov.scot
NUTS: UKM
Internet address(es)
Main address: https://www.socialsecurity.gov.scot/
Address of the buyer profile: https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA30345
I.1) Name and addresses
Scottish Government
5 Atlantic Quay, 150 Broomielaw
Glasgow
G2 8LU
UK
Telephone: +44 412425466
E-mail: ScottishProcurement@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 involves joint procurement
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
Electronic communication requires the use of tools and devices that are not generally available. Unrestricted and full direct access to these tools and devices is possible, free of charge, at:
https://www.publictendersscotland.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/esop/pts-host/public/pts/web/login.html
I.4) Type of the contracting authority
Ministry or any other national or federal authority, including their regional or local subdivisions
I.5) Main activity
General public services
Section II: Object
II.1) Scope of the procurement
II.1.1) Title
Testing Services Framework Agreement
Reference number: S/26/039
II.1.2) Main CPV code
72254100
II.1.3) Type of contract
Services
II.1.4) Short description
Testing Services for IT Systems
II.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT:
54 000 000.00
GBP
II.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots:
Yes
Tenders may be submitted for all lots
II.2) Description
Lot No: 1
II.2.1) Title
Testing Services
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
72254100
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKM
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
This will be to provide testing services in any form required e.g. a full testing service or testing for specific projects or test phases
II.2.5) Award criteria
Criteria below:
Quality criterion: Quality
/ Weighting: 55
Price
/ Weighting:
45
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 framework may be re-let at the end of the Framework Term
II.2.9) Information about the limits on the number of candidates to be invited
Envisaged number of candidates: 10
Objective criteria for choosing the limited number of candidates:
It is envisaged that 10 suppliers will be taken through to the ITT Stage, this will provide sufficient competition to award a maximum of 6 suppliers to the Framework Agreement Lot 1 Testing Services.
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
II.2.14) Additional information
Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in regulation 58 (Exclusion Grounds) of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015.
Lot No: 2
II.2.1) Title
Testing Resources
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
72254100
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKM
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
This lot will provide testing resources to augment existing testing teams
II.2.5) Award criteria
Criteria below:
Quality criterion: Quality
/ Weighting: 55
Price
/ Weighting:
45
II.2.6) Estimated value
Value excluding VAT:
54 000 000.00
GBP
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 framework may be re-let at the end of the Framework Term
II.2.9) Information about the limits on the number of candidates to be invited
Envisaged number of candidates: 10
Objective criteria for choosing the limited number of candidates:
It is envisaged 10 suppliers will be taken through to the ITT Stage, this will provide sufficient competition to award a maximum of 4 suppliers to Lot 2 - Testing Resources.
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
II.2.14) Additional information
Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in regulation 58 (Exclusion Grounds) of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015.
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:
SPD Part 4A - Suitability to pursue the professional activity, including requirements relating to enrolment on professional or trade registers
SPD Part 4A - Where it is required, within a bidder’s country of establishment they must confirm which authorisation or memberships of the relevant organisation(s) are required in order to perform this service.
III.1.2) Economic and financial standing
List and brief description of selection criteria:
SPD Part 4B Economic and Financial Standing
Insurances
Other economic or financial
Minimum level(s) of standards required:
SPD Part 4B Economic and Financial Standing
The bidder must have a D & B failure score of no less than 40
The bidder confirms they already have or can commit to obtain, prior to the commencement of the contract, the levels of insurance cover indicated below:
Minimum levels (required at SPD stage):
Professional Risk Indemnity: in the sum of not less than GBP5,000,000.00 for any one incident and in the aggregate annually; and
Employer's (Compulsory) Liability: in accordance with any legal obligation for the time being in force.
Public Liability: in the sum of not less than GBP5,000,000.00 for any one incident and in the aggregate annually
Maximum levels(Different levels may be required at framework call-off. These will be specified at call-off stage up to the maximum level):
Professional Risk Indemnity: in the sum of not less than GBP15,000,000.00 for any one incident and in the aggregate annually; and
Employer's (Compulsory) Liability: in accordance with any legal obligation for the time being in force.
Public Liability: in the sum of not less than GBP15,000,000.00 for any one incident and in the aggregate annually
III.1.3) Technical and professional ability
List and brief description of selection criteria:
SPD Part 4C
Bidders will be required to provide certifications to demonstrate they hold Cyber Essentials, Cyber Essentials Plus and ISO27001
Bidders will be required to provide examples that demonstrate that they have the relevant experience to deliver the services/supplies as described in part II.2.4 of the Contract Notice or the relevant section of the Site Notice.
Bidders will be required to confirm whether they intend to subcontract and, if so, for what proportion of the contract.
Bidders will be required to provide examples of their Tech Skills.
Bidders will be required to confirm that they and/or the service provider have the following relevant educational and professional qualifications
SPD Part 4D
Quality Assurance Schemes
Environmental Management Standards
Minimum level(s) of standards required:
SPD Part 4C
Bidders will be required to provide certifications to demonstrate they hold Cyber Essentials, Cyber Essentials Plus and ISO27001
Bidder will be required to provide two examples from the last three years where you have successfully delivered testing services of a similar scope and complexity
Bidders will be required to confirm that they and/or the service provider have the following relevant educational and professional qualifications e.g. ISTQB or equivalent and relevant experience and approach to maintaining skills
SPD Part 4D
Quality Assurance Schemes - 1. The bidder must hold a UKAS (or equivalent) accredited independent third party certificate of compliance in accordance with BS EN ISO 9001 (or equivalent),
OR
2. The bidder must have the following:
a. A documented policy regarding quality management. The policy must set out responsibilities for quality management demonstrating that the bidder has, and continues to implement, a quality management policy that is authorised by their Chief Executive, or equivalent, which is periodically reviewed at a senior management level. The policy must be relevant to the nature and scale of the work to be undertaken and set out responsibilities for quality management throughout the organisation.
Environmental Management Standards - 1 The Bidder must hold a UKAS (or equivalent) accredited independent third party certificate of compliance with
BS EN ISO 14001 (or equivalent) or a valid EMAS (or equivalent) certificate,
OR
2. The bidder must have the following:
a. A regularly reviewed documented policy regarding environmental management, authorised by the Chief Executive, or equivalent. This policy must include and describe the bidder’s environmental emergency response procedures, including the preparedness and response procedures for potential accidents and emergency response situations that give rise to significant environmental impacts (for example hazardous substances spill control).
For both Lot 1 - Testing Services and Lot 2 - Testing Resources Questions 4C1.2, 4C.10, [Tech Skills] and 4C.6 will be scored in accordance with the scoring guide which can be found in the Evaluation of Single Procurement Document Guidance in the attachments area.
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
Restricted 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.
Envisaged maximum number of participants to the framework agreement: 6
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:
18/06/2026
Local time: 12:00
IV.2.3) Estimated date of dispatch of invitations to tender or to participate to selected candidates
Date:
08/07/2026
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: 9 (from the date stated for receipt of tender)
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.1) Information about recurrence
This is a recurrent procurement:
Yes
Estimated timing for further notices to be published:
19/05/2030
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 procurement exercise where any of the mandatory or discretionary exclusion grounds apply under the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015.
This procurement exercise is being conducted electronically via PCS-Tender. All procurement documents, tender responses, clarifications and communications will be managed through PCS-Tender.
The successful bidder(s) may be required, prior to contract award, to provide supporting declarations, certificates and other evidence confirming compliance with the SPD and tender requirements. Failure to provide satisfactory evidence may result in exclusion from the procurement process.
This Framework Agreement does not guarantee any minimum volumes of business. Requirements will be called off on an as-required basis throughout the contract term.
The buyer is using PCS-Tender to conduct this PQQ exercise. The Project code is 31722. 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
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:
Educational engagement: including STEM support activities, guest lectures, career events for local schools and colleges, or work experience opportunities.
Community support: such as volunteering hours, support for local charities, or contributions to community programmes.
Environmental improvements: including carbon reduction initiatives, waste minimisation actions, or participation in sustainability projects.
Supply chain development: such as commitments to work with local SMEs, social enterprises, or voluntary sector organisations.
(SC Ref:829510)
VI.4) Procedures for review
VI.4.1) Review body
Edinburgh Sherriff Court
27 Chambers Street
Edinburgh
EH1 1LB
UK
Telephone: +44 1312252525
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
20/05/2026