Contract notice
Section I: Contracting
authority
I.1) Name and addresses
Skills Development Scotland Ltd
Monteith House, 11 George Square
Glasgow
G2 1DY
UK
Telephone: +44 1412856000
E-mail: procurement@sds.co.uk
NUTS: UKM
Internet address(es)
Main address: www.skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk
Address of the buyer profile: https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA12862
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:
www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk
Additional information can be obtained from the abovementioned address
Tenders or requests to participate must be sent electronically to:
www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk
I.4) Type of the contracting authority
Body governed by public law
I.5) Main activity
General public services
Section II: Object
II.1) Scope of the procurement
II.1.1) Title
Occupational Health, Employee Assistance Programme and Associated Services
Reference number: P5-079
II.1.2) Main CPV code
85147000
II.1.3) Type of contract
Services
II.1.4) Short description
Provision of Occupational Health, Employee Assistance Programme and Associated Services
II.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT:
460 000.00
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
Occupational Health (OH) Services
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
85312300
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKM
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
Work-focused medical assessments, advice on fitness for work, adjustments, health surveillance, and case-specific clinical guidance for SDS management. Note: OH will focus strictly on medical and capability advice in a workplace context or mandated work-related intervention (e.g. drug & alcohol counselling) and not be expected to provide general counselling or non-medical interventions, unless the provider is successful in multiple lots.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Criteria below:
Quality criterion: Quality
/ Weighting: 70
Price
/ Weighting:
30
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:
2 year with the option to extend for a further 2 x 12 month extension period at the discretion of SDS
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
Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
85312300
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKM
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
24/7 confidential counselling and advice for employees (and immediate family members as industry-standard, typically age 16+ dependents). Includes short-term counselling (phone/online/in-person) and practical advice (legal, financial, family, etc.), plus structured clinical triage to identify cases requiring other interventions (e.g. specialist therapy or OH referral). Communications & Engagement Support - proactive collaboration with SDS’s internal Communications to drive awareness and appropriate usage of the service (e.g. campaigns, uptake analysis, content for staff communications).
II.2.5) Award criteria
Criteria below:
Quality criterion: Quality
/ Weighting: 70
Price
/ Weighting:
30
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:
2 years with the option to extend for a further 2 x 12 months at the discretion of SDS
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
Specialist Psychological Therapies
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
85312320
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKM
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
e.g. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), trauma-focused counselling, or other structured interventions beyond short-term EAP counselling. These are delivered via call-off following EAP or management recommendation (not automatically bundled into the core EAP fee).
II.2.5) Award criteria
Criteria below:
Quality criterion: Quality
/ Weighting: 70
Price
/ Weighting:
30
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:
2 years with the option to extend for a further 2 x 12 month extension periods at the discretion of SDS
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: 4
II.2.1) Title
Manager Support Service
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
85312300
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKM
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
A non-clinical advice and coaching helpline for SDS managers dealing with difficult people situations (e.g. supporting staff with mental health issues, sensitive conversations, crisis support). Distinct from EAP, this service is intended to provide managers with practical guidance, coaching and emotional support when dealing with challenging workplace situations involving the wellbeing of employees. It is not a source of HR, legal or procedural advice and must not direct managers on employment decisions or formal people management processes. Responsibility for policy interpretation, case management and employment decisions remains with SDS.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Criteria below:
Quality criterion: Quality
/ Weighting: 70
Price
/ Weighting:
30
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:
2 years with the option to extend for 2 x 12 month extension period at the discretion of SDS
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: 5
II.2.1) Title
Neurodiversity Assesssments
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
85140000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKM
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
Specialist evaluations of employees potentially neurodivergent, with workplace-focused recommendations, delivered by qualified practitioners, separate from OH.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Criteria below:
Quality criterion: Quality
/ Weighting: 70
Price
/ Weighting:
30
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:
2 years with the option to extend for a further 2 x 12 month periods at the discretion of SDS
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: 6
II.2.1) Title
Neurodiversity Coaching/Training
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
85140000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKM
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
Post-assessment support for individuals or teams to implement adjustments and build capability.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Criteria below:
Quality criterion: Quality
/ Weighting: 70
Price
/ Weighting:
30
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:
2 years with the option to extend for a further 2 x 12 month periods at the discretion of SDS
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: 7
II.2.1) Title
Reasonable Adjustment Equipment and Ergonomic Kit
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
33196200
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKM
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
Supply of recommended adjustments (chairs, desks, peripherals, etc.) via pre-defined catalogues/pricing.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Criteria below:
Quality criterion: Quality
/ Weighting: 70
Price
/ Weighting:
30
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:
2 years with the option to extend for a further 2 x 12 month periods at the discretion of SDS
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: 8
II.2.1) Title
Assistive Technology (AT) Software and Training
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
72212190
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKM
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
Provision of specialised software for disabled/neurodivergent employees and training to ensure effective use.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Criteria below:
Quality criterion: Quality
/ Weighting: 70
Price
/ Weighting:
30
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:
2 years with the option to extend for a further 2 x 12 month periods at the discretion of SDS
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.1.2) Economic and financial standing
Minimum level(s) of standards required:
As stated in the tender documents
III.1.3) Technical and professional ability
Minimum level(s) of standards required:
As stated in the tender documents
III.2) Conditions related to 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.
Envisaged maximum number of participants to the framework agreement: 21
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:
02/10/2026
Local time: 12:00
IV.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted
EN
IV.2.7) Conditions for opening of tenders
Date:
05/10/2026
Local time: 12:00
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.1) Information about recurrence
This is a recurrent procurement:
No
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
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=841833.
The buyer has indicated that it will accept electronic responses to this notice via the Postbox facility. A user guide is available at https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/sitehelp/help_guides.aspx.
Suppliers are advised to allow adequate time for uploading documents and to dispatch the electronic response well in advance of the closing time to avoid any last minute problems.
(SC Ref:841833)
Download the ESPD document here: https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/ESPD/ESPD_Download.aspx?id=841833
VI.4) Procedures for review
VI.4.1) Review body
The Sheriff Clerk's Office
1 Carlton Place
Glasgow
G5 9DA
UK
VI.4.2) Body responsible for mediation procedures
Skills Development Scotland
Monteith House, 11 George Square
Glasgow
G2 1DY
UK
VI.4.4) Service from which information about the review procedure may be obtained
Skills Development Scotland
Monteith House, 11 George Square
Glasgow
G2 1DY
UK
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
02/09/2026