Contract notice
Section I: Contracting
authority
I.1) Name and addresses
The Highland Council
Glenurquhart Road
Inverness
IV3 5NX
UK
Telephone: +44 1467530600
E-mail: Hamish.Coull@highland.gov.uk
NUTS: UKM6
Internet address(es)
Main address: http://www.highland.gov.uk
Address of the buyer profile: https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA00045
I.1) Name and addresses
Aberdeen City Council
Marischal College, Broad Street
Aberdeen
AB10 1AB
UK
Telephone: +44 1463702189
E-mail: hamish.coull@highland.gov.uk
NUTS: UKM50
Internet address(es)
Main address: http://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk
Address of the buyer profile: https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA26963
I.1) Name and addresses
Aberdeenshire Council
Woodhill House, Westburn Road
Aberdeen
AB16 5GB
UK
Telephone: +44 1463702189
E-mail: hamish.coull@highland.gov.uk
NUTS: UKM50
Internet address(es)
Main address: http://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk
Address of the buyer profile: https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA00232
I.2) Joint procurement
The contract involves joint procurement
I.3) Communication
Access to the procurement documents is restricted. Further information can be obtained at:
www.publictendersscotland.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk
Additional information can be obtained from the abovementioned address
Tenders or requests to participate must be sent electronically to:
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
Provision of Transported School Meals 2025
Reference number: HC/PFM/TSM/2025
II.1.2) Main CPV code
60120000
II.1.3) Type of contract
Services
II.1.4) Short description
The Highland Council (THC), Aberdeenshire Council (ASC) and Aberdeen City Council (ACC) are inviting tenders for Transportation of School Meals between a school with a kitchen and a school without. The Contract shall be for a 3-year period, with an option to extend by a further period of up to 12 months.
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
The Highland Council
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
60120000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKM6
Main site or place of performance:
The Highlands of Scotland
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
The Highland Council require a Contractor to undertake the Transportation of Meals from a school with a kitchen to schools and nurseries that do not have Kitchen facilities to produce their own meals. The Contractor shall be required to collect the food containers from specified pickup locations and deliver them to the drop off locations by the delivery time.
As this is a collaborative procurement exercise, Tenderers will also be able to tender for Aberdeenshire & Aberdeen City Councils.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Criteria below:
Quality criterion: Quality
/ Weighting: 40
Price
/ Weighting:
60
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:
Option to extend for a period of up to 12 months, taking the maximum total length to 48 months.
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
Lot No: 2
II.2.1) Title
Aberdeenshire Council
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
60120000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKM50
Main site or place of performance:
Aberdeenshire
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
Aberdeenshire Council require a Contractor to undertake the Transportation of Meals from a school with a kitchen to schools and nurseries that do not have Kitchen facilities to produce their own meals. The Contractor shall be required to collect the food containers from specified pickup locations and deliver them to the drop off locations by the delivery time.
As this is a collaborative procurement exercise, Tenderers will also be able to tender for The Highland & Aberdeen City Councils.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Criteria below:
Quality criterion: Quality
/ Weighting: 40
Price
/ Weighting:
60
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:
Option to extend for a period of up to 12 months, taking the maximum total length to 48 months.
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
Lot No: 3
II.2.1) Title
Aberdeen City Council
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
60120000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKM50
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
Aberdeen City Council require a Contractor to undertake the Transportation of Meals from a school with a kitchen to schools and nurseries that do not have Kitchen facilities to produce their own meals. The Contractor shall be required to collect the food containers from specified pickup locations and deliver them to the drop off locations by the delivery time.
As this is a collaborative procurement exercise, Tenderers will also be able to tender for Aberdeenshire & The Highland Council
II.2.5) Award criteria
Criteria below:
Quality criterion: Quality
/ Weighting: 40
Price
/ Weighting:
60
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:
Option to extend for a period of up to 12 months, taking the maximum total length to 48 months.
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:
Drivers must have valid Driver's licence
All vehicles must be insured and have valid MOT's
III.1.2) Economic and financial standing
List and brief description of selection criteria:
Credit Check:
The Council will use an independent credit scoring organisation, such as Equifax, to conduct appropriate financial probity checks.
Insurance Requirements:
Employers Liability Insurance (where applicable)
Public Liability Insurance.
Minimum level(s) of standards required:
Credit Check:
Tenderers must score a risk rating of low risk in order to be considered for Contract award. If the Credit Report contains a risk rating between moderate risk and very high risk, you will be given an opportunity to provide additional information which will be taken into account during the Council’s assessment.
Insurance Requirements:
- 5,000,000 GBP Employers Liability Insurance (where applicable),
- 5,000,000 GBP Public Liability Insurance.
III.1.3) Technical and professional ability
List and brief description of selection criteria:
Tenderers must submit two examples of providing equivalent or similar services within the last 3 years.
Minimum level(s) of standards required:
two examples of providing equivalent or similar services within the last 3 years.
III.2) Conditions related to the contract
Section IV: Procedure
IV.1) Description
IV.1.1) Type of procedure
Open procedure
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:
24/10/2025
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:
24/10/2025
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:
3 to 4 years from this notice date
VI.2) Information about electronic workflows
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 30155. 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:
The following Community Benefits are integrated into this Contract:
- Environmental Wellbeing and measures
- Fair Work Practices Including” Real” Living Wage (including gender pay gap reporting)
- Communities, Community groups and Community support projects
- Developing the Workforce
- Job Creation through the project (Vacancy Sharing)
(SC Ref:811060)
VI.4) Procedures for review
VI.4.1) Review body
Local Sherriff court
Inverness
UK
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
24/09/2025