Design contest notice
Directive 2014/24/EU
Section I: Contracting
entity
I.1) Name and addresses
Glasgow City Council
40 John St, City Chambers
Glasgow
G2 1DU
UK
Contact person: Lynne Cox
E-mail: Albertcross@glasgow.gov.uk
NUTS: UKM82
Internet address(es)
Main address: www.glasgow.gov.uk
Address of the buyer profile: https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA00196
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?VISITORID=b10c6cef-0b6f-4768-8dad-fbfdb256e9c2&_ncp=1784885560080.13088-1
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?VISITORID=b10c6cef-0b6f-4768-8dad-fbfdb256e9c2&_ncp=1784885560080.13088-1
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
Albert Cross Design Contest
Reference number: GCC006723CPU
II.1.2) Main CPV code
71230000
II.2) Description
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
71220000
79415200
71221000
71240000
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
Glasgow City Council (GCC) is initiating a landmark architectural design contest to redevelop two prominent gap sites at Albert Cross, situated within the historic East Pollokshields Conservation Area. These sites were formerly occupied by B-listed tenement blocks, which were tragically lost to fires in 2019 and 2020.
The Design Contest is a call for architects to submit design proposals for both sites as part shared vision for the cross. The contest will be run as a 2 stage process, commencing with the submission of an initial diagrammatic conceptual design which will be judged anonymously by the judging panel. From this a shortlist of 3 entrants will be invited to develop their ideas further to the Stage 2 submission with Cost Plan and named design team, from which an outright winner will then be selected.
The depth and complexity of the Stage 2 submission information included should be in line with RIBA Plan of Work 2020 for an “early” Stage 3: Spatial Coordination (or for an “advanced” Stage 2: Concept Design)
It is envisaged that, subject to approvals and acquisition of the sites, the winner may be awarded a Design Services Contract to further their design proposal into a full planning application for one or both sites, at Council’s sole discretion.
More detailed information is contained within the Albert Cross Design Contest Brief which is available on the Public Contract Scotland Tendering Portal.
The Council accordingly reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to award a Design Services Contract for the further development of the winning design in accordance with the negotiated procedure without prior publication of a Contract notice in accordance with Regulation 33(6) of The Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015.
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.1.10) Criteria for the selection of participants:
1. Have the lead architect be ARB registered. Teams must accurately declare ARB registration status and any misrepresentation will lead to disqualification
2. Participants must confirm their commitment to gain the associated insurances as outlined below for any resulting Design Services Contract:
(i) Participants employing staff shall maintain Employers Liability Insurance with a minimum indemnity of 10,000,000 (GBP) for any one claim and unlimited in the period
(ii) Public Liability Insurance with a minimum indemnity of 5,000,000 (GBP) for any one claim and unlimited in the period;
(iii) Products Liability Insurance with a minimum indemnity of 5,000,000 (GBP) for any one claim and unlimited in the period and in the aggregate;
(iv) in respect of services to be performed Professional Indemnity cover with a minimum indemnity of 3,000,000 (GBP) for any one event in the aggregate. It should be noted that this is a provisional estimated level of insurance, however, should GCC award a Design Services Contract Professional Indemnity insurance will be set depending on the value/risk.
3. Participants must grant the Council Title to existing and Future IPR
For those progressing to SPD the Financial Vetting requirements are as follows:
1. Trading Performance an overall positive outcome on pre tax profits over a 3 year period.
2. Balance Sheet Strength Net worth of the organisation must be positive at the time of evaluation and organisation must not be subject to an insolvency process.
Sole Traders, Partnerships
Participants that are not registered companies must comply with the above financial requirements appertaining to trading performance and balance sheet strength and must be able to provide documentary evidence that the above requirements have been met.
Further information will be provided at SPD stage.
III.2) Conditions related to the contract
III.2.1) Information about a particular profession
Participation is reserved to a particular profession: Yes
Indicate profession: Architects
Section IV: Procedure
IV.1) Description
IV.1.2) Type of contest
Restricted
Number of participants to be contemplated: 3
IV.1.9) Criteria for the evaluation of projects:
This contest is formed of 2 stages:
Stage 1 and Stage 2 will involve a blind judging panel who will evaluate anonymous submissions against the following criteria:
a)Design Quality and Innovation: Creativity, clarity, and architectural excellence.
b)Heritage Sensitivity: Respect for conservation principles and contextual appropriateness.
c)Sustainability: Environmental performance and long-term resilience.
d)Benefit to the Community: Contribution to social, cultural, and economic vitality.
e)Deliverability: Practicality, cost-effectiveness, and alignment with planning policy.
The SPD will only be issued to and requested from the top 6 ranked participants shortlisted following the Stage 1 judging.
SPD submissions will be evaluated in the order established by the ranking achieved during Stage 1 Initial Concept Designs with only the top 3 participants that successfully pass the SPD progressing to Stage 2 of the contest.
At Stage 2, in addition to the above criteria, the Cost Plan will also be evaluated.
Further detailed information is provided within the Albert Cross Design Contest Brief.
IV.2) Administrative information
IV.2.2) Time limit for receipt of projects or requests to participate
Date:
16/10/2026
Local time: 12:00
IV.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted
EN
IV.3) Rewards and jury
IV.3.1) Information about prize(s)
A prize/prizes will be awarded:
Yes
Number and value of the prize(s) to be awarded:
Each Shortlisted participant progressed to Stage 2 of the Design Contest will be awarded up to 10,000 (GBP) (inclusive of VAT, if applicable) following receipt of a valid Stage 2 submission and invoice (or similar) to compensate for expenses incurred for the more detailed submission.
IV.3.2) Details of payments to all participants:
Payment of the up to 10,000 (GBP) will be made via BACS following receipt of a valid invoice.
IV.3.3) Follow-up contracts:
Any service contract following the contest will be awarded to the winner or winners of the contest:
Yes
IV.3.4) Decision of the jury:
The decision of the jury is binding on the contracting authority/entity:
Yes
IV.3.5) Names of the selected members of the jury:
Panel Chair/Representative of the Political Administration
Design Expert 1 - a nationally recognised Architect not practicing within the GIA chapter area
Local elected member
Local representative/Representative of the local community council
Design Expert 2 / GIA Representative Architect
Design Expert 3 / Heritage Expert
Design Expert 4 / Architect representing GCC/NRS Designs Agenda
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.3) Additional information
The following information will be available to participants:
Land Register of Scotland Map overmarked with site boundaries
AutoCAD surveyed elevations of neighbouring gables, with annotated datum levels
East Pollokshields Conservation Area Appraisal
South Central Local Development Framework
AutoCAD file of topographical survey
Utility Services locations
Site Photographs
Please refer to the Albert Cross Design Brief for further detailed information.
The buyer is using PCS-Tender to conduct this ITT exercise. The Project code is 32757. For more information see: http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/info/InfoCentre.aspx?ID=2343
(SC Ref:842973)
VI.4) Procedures for review
VI.4.1) Review body
Glasgow Sheriff Court and Justice of the Peace Court
PO Box 23, 1 Carlton Place
Glasgow
G5 9DA
UK
E-mail: glasgow@scotcourts.gov.uk
Internet address(es)
URL: https://www.scotcourts.gov.uk/courts-and-tribunals/courts-tribunals-and-office-locations/find-us/glasgow-sheriff-court-and-justice-of-the-peace-court/
VI.4.3) Review procedure
Precise information on deadline(s) for review procedures:
An economic operator that suffers or risks suffering loss or damage attributable to a breach of duty under Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015 may bring proceedings in the Sheriff Court or Court of Session. Applicable timescales for bringing proceeding are as set out within the regulations.
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
15/09/2026