Contract notice
Section I: Contracting
authority
I.1) Name and addresses
East Renfrewshire Council
Eastwood HQ, Eastwood Park,
Giffnock
G46 6UG
UK
Contact person: May Harvey-Welsh
Telephone: +44 1415773669
E-mail: mary.harvey-welsh@eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk
NUTS: UKM83
Internet address(es)
Main address: http://www.eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk
Address of the buyer profile: https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA00183
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
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
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
Local Employability Flexible Framework
Reference number: ERC000678
II.1.2) Main CPV code
85312310
II.1.3) Type of contract
Services
II.1.4) Short description
East Renfrewshire Council is inviting tenders, from suitably qualified companies to support a wide range of employability programmes. This is a flexible framework that will be re-opened at least annually.
The MASTER ITT MUST BE COMPLETED BEFORE MOVING ONTO LOTS YOU WISH TO BID FOR
Bidders can apply for one or more lots available. There are no restrictions on how many lots you wish to bid for.
A position on the framework does not guarantee work will be awarded. Call-off contracts will be made on both an annual and requirement-by-requirement basis throughout the duration of the framework. Providers who have been awarded positions on the framework will not be formally ranked and call-off contracts will be awarded through either a mini-competition or a direct award. It is expected that mini-competitions may be undertaken where multiple providers can meet the requirement, while direct awards may be undertaken where a single provider can meet the requirement. Ultimately, however, the decision to run either a mini-competition or a direct award is within the sole discretion of the council.
The Lots available are subject to securing funding. ERC reserves the option to deliver some of these services in-house
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
Engagement & Barrier Removal
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
80000000
85312310
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKM83
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
This Lot aims to support jobseekers from priority groups by addressing employability needs and issues before they become more challenging. These issues can present at various points in people’s lives, including when people leave education or when people suddenly become unemployed. Individuals often face multiple barriers to participation such as a lack of education skills and work experience; issues around transport or care/childcare responsibilities; poor mental health and wellbeing and sometimes systemic barriers, like discrimination or bureaucratic obstacles. Interventions and support therefore need to be personalised to each individual.
Working in partnership, we are seeking a range of diverse interventions to effectively engage with those furthest from the labour market, supporting individuals with multiple and often complex support needs. Services being procured will include motivation, confidence, personal development, one to one support, mentoring, group work, core skills, health, wellbeing and financial support interventions. It is envisaged that some structured, accredited and project-based activities will also be required.
Providers will be required to demonstrate significant levels of understanding and experience in successfully identifying the barriers that affect people’s participation in employability support, together with detail around a range of strategies and approaches that they would then employ to help people tackle barriers. Providers should also be able to demonstrate the impact of the support that their work has had on participants.
A position on the framework does not guarantee work will be awarded. Call-off contracts will be made on both an annual and requirement-by-requirement basis throughout the duration of the framework. Providers who have been awarded positions on the framework will not be formally ranked and call-off contracts will be awarded through either a mini-competition or a direct award. It is expected that mini-competitions may be undertaken where multiple providers can meet the requirement, while direct awards may be undertaken where a single provider can meet the requirement. Ultimately, however, the decision to run either a mini-competition or a direct award is within the sole discretion of the council.
The Lots available are subject to securing funding. ERC reserves the option to deliver some of these services in-house
Contract Duration 36 months with a further 2 x 12 months option to extend.
Estimated value below includes the contract duration and the 2 x 12 month option to extend
II.2.5) Award criteria
Criteria below:
Quality criterion: PROJECT TEAM
/ Weighting: 20
Quality criterion: PROGRAMME DELIVERY
/ Weighting: 20
Quality criterion: CONTRACT MANAGEMENT
/ Weighting: 15
Quality criterion: RISK MANAGEMENT
/ Weighting: 10
Quality criterion: ADDED VALUE & INNOVATION
/ Weighting: 5
Quality criterion: POLICY APPROACHES
/ Weighting: 5
Quality criterion: EQUALITY DIVERSITY INCLUSION
/ Weighting: 5
Quality criterion: COMMUNITY BENEFITS
/ Weighting: 10
Quality criterion: FAIR WORKING PRACTICES
/ Weighting: 5
Quality criterion: CARBON FOOTPRINT
/ Weighting: 5
Price
/ Weighting:
40
II.2.6) Estimated value
Value excluding VAT:
2 150 000.00
GBP
II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months: 36
This contract is subject to renewal: Yes
Description of renewals:
2 x 12 months option to extend
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
II.2.14) Additional information
At the initial opening and each subsequent reopening of this opportunity, all Tenderers must score at least 35% of the total available marks in the technical evaluation. Tenders that fall below this threshold or fail any Mandatory Pass/Fail requirement will be deemed non-compliant and excluded from commercial evaluation.
Lot No: 2
II.2.1) Title
Vocational & Work Related Skills
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
80000000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKM83
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
This will cover stages 3 and 4 of the Employability Pipeline
The focus of this Lot will be to improve the functional and vocational skills of individuals seeking to enter employment. The activities within this lot will provide a structured approach to training and work experience enabling individuals to gain employability competencies and where relevant occupationally focused certification. This Lot covers the spectrum of activities at Stages 3 and 4 of the Employability Pipeline and will enable a tailored pathway to local labour market opportunities.
It is anticipated that the provision in this Lot will enable work experience and where possible industry recognised certification and support a structured pathway to sustainable employment. Job search skills and agreed elements of employer engagement and job brokerage may also be relevant within this Lot.
Delivery of industry recognised certificated training in a variety of approaches and settings. This may range from short bite-size interventions, one day courses or longer interventions linked to a programme.
Must be delivered across the locality.
Examples are: First Aid, Food Hygiene, Health & Safety, Manual Handling, Fork Lift Truck, CSCS etc Delivery of accredited core skills to a minimum of SCQF level 4.
Providers will be required to demonstrate a range of experience in delivering pre-employment and vocational training opportunities. This may include those in specific sectors like hospitality, construction and social care etc. Any experience of delivering work experience/placement opportunities should clearly show how these prepare people for work.
Please ensure that you completed the Master ITT before moving on to completing all envelopes in the Lots you wish to bid for.
Failure to complete the Master ITT envelopes or any of the Lot(s) you wish to bid for envelopes will result in the rejection of your submission.
Contract award will be offered as a Multi-Supplier Flexible Framework Agreement Estimated Contract Value detailed below includes the 36 month Contract Period and the option to extend for 2 x 12 month periods. Budget could vary and and depending on funding
II.2.5) Award criteria
Criteria below:
Quality criterion: PROJECT TEAM
/ Weighting: 20
Quality criterion: PROGRAMME DELIVERY
/ Weighting: 20
Quality criterion: CONTRACT MANAGEMENT
/ Weighting: 15
Quality criterion: RISK MANAGEMENT
/ Weighting: 10
Quality criterion: ADDED VALUE INNOVATION
/ Weighting: 5
Quality criterion: POLICY APPROACHES
/ Weighting: 5
Quality criterion: EQUALITY DIVERSITY INCLUSION
/ Weighting: 5
Quality criterion: COMMUNITY BENEFITS
/ Weighting: 10
Quality criterion: FAIR WORK PRACTICES
/ Weighting: 5
Quality criterion: CARBON FOOTPRINT
/ Weighting: 5
Price
/ Weighting:
40
II.2.6) Estimated value
Value excluding VAT:
525 000.00
GBP
II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months: 36
This contract is subject to renewal: Yes
Description of renewals:
2 x 12 months option to extend
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
II.2.14) Additional information
At the initial opening and each subsequent reopening of this opportunity, all Tenderers must score at least 35% of the total available marks in the technical evaluation. Tenders that fall below this threshold or fail any Mandatory Pass/Fail requirement will be deemed non-compliant and excluded from commercial evaluation.
Lot No: 3
II.2.1) Title
In-Work Support and Work Based Training
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
80000000
85312310
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKM83
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
This will cover stage 5 of the Employability Pipeline
This Lot reflects the increased need for in-work support to help enable previously unemployed people to sustain and progress in employment once the initial transition has been made. It is also important to recognise that many individuals will enter this activity at Stage 5 of the Employability Pipeline having progressed from previous activities delivered at Lots 1 and 2 of the frameworks.
Adequate aftercare is essential for ensuring smooth transitions to new roles as well as integrating into workplace culture. It enhances continued professional development and career progression.
The intended outcome for participants is to have support to maintain, develop and thrive in their new roles, leading to long-term job retention and career progression. It will also provide critical feedback for tracking participants’ outcomes and successes.
Providers will be required to demonstrate a track record of supporting people to retain employment, along with an ability to build meaningful relationship with employers (and the wider workforce), supporting both employers and participants to find creative solutions to difficult work place situations which may arise and be able to detail how these approaches have supported job sustainment.
Please ensure that you completed the Master ITT before moving on to completing all envelopes in the Lots you wish to bid for.
Failure to complete the Master ITT envelopes or any of the Lot(s) you wish to bid for envelopes will result in the rejection of your submission.
Contract award will be offered as a Multi-Supplier Flexible Framework Agreement Estimated Contract Value detailed below includes the 36 month Contract Period and the option to extend for 2 x 12 month periods. Budget could vary and and depending on funding
II.2.5) Award criteria
Criteria below:
Quality criterion: PROJECT TEAM
/ Weighting: 20
Quality criterion: PROGRAMME DELIVERY
/ Weighting: 20
Quality criterion: CONTRACT MANAGEMENT APPROACH
/ Weighting: 15
Quality criterion: RISK MANAGEMENT
/ Weighting: 10
Quality criterion: ADDED VALUE INNOVATION
/ Weighting: 5
Quality criterion: POLICY APPROACHES
/ Weighting: 5
Quality criterion: EQUALITY DIVERSITY INCLUSION
/ Weighting: 5
Quality criterion: COMMUNITY BENEFITS
/ Weighting: 10
Quality criterion: FAIR WORK FIRST
/ Weighting: 5
Quality criterion: CARBON FOOTPRINT
/ Weighting: 5
Price
/ Weighting:
40
II.2.6) Estimated value
Value excluding VAT:
1 000 000.00
GBP
II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months: 36
This contract is subject to renewal: Yes
Description of renewals:
2 x 12 months option to extend
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
II.2.14) Additional information
At the initial opening and each subsequent reopening of this opportunity, all Tenderers must score at least 35% of the total available marks in the technical evaluation. Tenders that fall below this threshold or fail any Mandatory Pass/Fail requirement will be deemed non-compliant and excluded from commercial evaluation.
Section III: Legal, economic, financial and technical information
III.1) Conditions for participation
III.1.2) Economic and financial standing
Minimum level(s) of standards required:
The Council reserves the right at its own discretion to seek information from the applicant in accordance with Regulation 61(7) or Regulation 61(8) of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015 to determine the Applicant’s economic and financial standing. East Renfrewshire Council requires to ensure that the economic operator has the necessary economic and financial capacity to perform and complete the contract. In the current difficult economic environment, the Council seeks to ensure that the contractor who undertakes the works has suitable financial strength and capacity to complete these goods, works or services.
Where an economic operator wishes to be considered for selection under this contract but cannot meet the turnover and/or Credit Safe score of 30 that economic operator must provide financial information which will satisfy the Council that they have an equivalent level of economic and financial standing; and must provide related guarantees or formal assurances to support their right to participate and be considered for any contract award (Regulation 61(8)). Please note that any financial information disclosed should evidence the financial strength of the economic operator tendering, therefore additional supporting information will need to be provided where joint or group accounts are provided in support of a bid to explain to the Council the relevance of that information.
Where the economic bidder relies upon or intends to reply upon any Key Subcontractors in performance of the contract, then the Council reserves the right to assess the financial strength and suitability the Key subcontractor as part of the qualification process; Where the economic operator relies upon a parent company to provide financial assurance in support of their bid, the Council will also reserve the right to seek financial information on the strength and suitability of the parent company; and
Where the economic operator relies upon the capacity of other parties in respect of selection and/or performance of the contract, then dependent on the nature of the arrangement the Council may require full disclosure of financial information in support of the bid. For example, where the bidder identifies as a consortium the Council will require that the consortium, as a group, can meet the financial selection requirements contained in the procurement documents. Where a bidder is part of a Consortium, it shall procure the execution and delivery to the Employer of a Consortium Guarantee (in the form provided by the council) executed by each member of the Consortium (acting as Consortium guarantor) in Self Proving Form.
The Council reserves the right to monitor that the economic operator continues to meet the financial selection requirements upon receipt of the invitation to tender or after evaluation has been completed and prior to any award being made. Economic operators must inform the Council of any changes to any submission made by them in respect of their financial and or economic situation. The Council will further reserve the right to remove any economic operator from the tendering process where they are no longer able to fulfil any of the selection requirements as directed within the procurement documents.
Further detail is contained within the procurement documents.
Bidders who cannot meet the required level of turnover will be excluded from this tender.
It is a requirement of this contract that bidders hold, or can commit to obtain prior to the commencement of any subsequently awarded contract, the types and levels of insurance indicated below:
Employer’s (Compulsory) Liability Insurance = 10 million GBP
Public Liability Insurance 5 million GBP
Professional Indemnity Insurance 2 million GBP
III.1.3) Technical and professional ability
Minimum level(s) of standards required:
Lots 2 & 3 - Delivery of industry recognised certificated training in a variety of approaches and settings. This may range from short bite size interventions, one day courses or longer interventions linked to a programme.
Industry certification is delivered primarily off the job, although some on site assessment may be required.
Lot 2: Vocational Training and Work Related Skills - Delivery of accredited core skills to a minimum of SCQF level 4. Core skills can be combined with general employability, provision of work experience, vocational skills training and pre apprenticeships. Non work based core skills can also be delivered separately, however work based core skills must be delivered in a workplace or work experience environment.
First Aid
Food Hygiene (REHIS)
Health and Safety
Manual Handling
Fork Lift Truck
CSCS
Use of Plant and Power Tools
Etc…
Lot 3: In Work Support and Work based Qualifications
Industry Certification - Delivery of S/NVQ qualifications. This can be part of a modern apprenticeship or stand alone. For example
First Aid
Food Hygiene (REHIS)
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:
02/12/2026
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: 6 (from the date stated for receipt of tender)
IV.2.7) Conditions for opening of tenders
Date:
02/12/2026
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:
2 x 12 months option to extend after the original 36 month contract period
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
RE- OPENING OF FLEXIBLE FRAMWORK AGREEMENT - This will at least annually with more frequent opening to be considered by the Environment Dept Employability. Re-opening will be at the sole discretion of the Environment Dept Employability with interested providers required to complete pre-qualifying information.
Prompt Payment-The successful tenderer shall, as a condition of being awarded the contract, be required to demonstrate to the council's satisfaction that all funds due to the tenderer's permitted sub-contractors in respect of these services are paid timeously and that as a minimum invoices rendered by subcontractors shall(unless formally disputed by the tenderer)be paid within 30 days
of receipt. The successful tenderer shall also impose this condition on its subcontractors in respect of payments due to any sub-sub-contractors, if any.
The Council reserves the right to request copies of insurance certificates from bidders at any point during the contract period. Failure to supply the information within timeframe requested may result in your bid being rejected & the Council proceeding with the procurement exercise to the next appropriate bidder. Additional information pertaining to this contract notice is contained within the Tender documents. Applicants must ensure they read in line with this contract notice
Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in regulation 8 and 9 of the Prcurement (Scotland) Regulations 2016.
The buyer is using PCS-Tender to conduct this ITT exercise. The Project code is 30597. 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:
Community Benefits will apply where a supplier has been successfully awarded contracts that have an accumulated annual value of 50,000 GBP and over. At the end of each financial year a review of the level of work commissioned to each supplier will be conducted. The number of community benefits points will be determined and the supplier contacted to agree the community benefit outcomes and delivery method. There is no limit to the Community Benefit that a tenderer may offer and the total Community Benefit Points may exceed the stated expectation. Bidders should be aware that failure to agree outcomes and delivery method may impact on the work commissioned through the framework for the following years. If you are successful in the award of this contract you will be required to communicate / meet with East Renfrewshire Council to finalise the delivery of the benefits that you are offering under this framework.
Please provide a method statement on how you will actively delivery Community Benefits as part of this contract. Please include within your answer details of the types of community benefits you would aim to deliver, your ability to report regularly on all progress made and the contract details of the individual responsible for delivering Community Benefits. Please note the maximum score that can be achieved for the Community Benefit Outcomes is the figure stated in the ITT.
(SC Ref:846685)
VI.4) Procedures for review
VI.4.1) Review body
Paisley Sheriff Court & Justice of the Peace Court
3 St James' St
Paisley
PA3 2HL
UK
E-mail: paisley@scotcourts.gov.uk
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
02/11/2026