Children’s Service - Seeking Children’s Views

Notice summary

Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015. SPD will be scored on a pass/fail basis. Bidders must complete the SPD to demonstrate adherence to the Exclusion and Selection Criteria for this procurement. The contract award criteria will be Quality 70% Price 30%. Question Scoring Methodology for Award Criteria outlined in Invitation to Tender: 0 Unacceptable. Nil or inadequate response. Fails to demonstrate an ability to meet the requirement. 1 Poor. Response is partially relevant but generally poor. The response addresses some elements of the requirement but contains insufficient/limited detail or explanation to demonstrate how the requirement will be fulfilled. 2 Acceptable. Response is relevant and acceptable. The response addresses a broad understanding of the requirement but may lack details on how the requirement will be fulfilled in certain areas. 3 Good. Response is relevant and good. The response is sufficiently detailed to demonstrate a good understanding and provides details on how the requirements will be fulfilled. 4 Excellent. Response is completely relevant and excellent overall. Technical responses will be evaluated using the methodology detailed in the Evaluation and Award Criteria on a scoring basis of 0-4. For questions denoted ‘M’ tenderer's must achieve a minimum moderated average score of 2. If the moderated average score is less than ‘2’ for any of the questions marked ‘M’, the tender will not be subject to Price Analysis and a score of 0 (zero) will be awarded in respect of the Price Score. As a result, the tender will not be considered further. It is mandatory that Tenderers hold or demonstrate ability to have in place prior to contract award, approved PVG scheme membership from Disclosure Scotland for all relevant staff. Tenderers are also asked to confirm: that they will pay staff that are involved in the delivery of services under the contract, at least the real Living Wage. they will meet standards on payment of subcontractors Tenderers who do not pass these questions will not be subject to Commercial Analysis. As a result the tender will not be considered further. Bidders must complete the SPD (Scotland) to demonstrate adherence to the Exclusion and Selection Criteria for this procurement. If there are named subcontractors/technicians upon which the bidder will rely to meet the selection criteria, these named parties must complete and reattach the SPD Supplier Response Form attached to SPD. The buyer is using PCS-Tender to conduct this ITT exercise. The Project code is 33115. 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/ The buyer is using PCS-Tender to conduct this ITT exercise. The Project code is 33115. 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: Specific to this contract the Service Provider must consider as a minimum: At least one training or knowledge sharing event per year of the Contract, including the optional extension year, to increase knowledge of children's rights in relation to additional support for learning in education settings in Scotland. (SC Ref:847800)

Opportunity overview

The Scottish Government is seeking a Service Provider to provide a demand led service to engage with children (aged 12-15) to seek their views to support them to exercise their rights under the Education (Additional Support for Learning Act) 2004 (as amended) (the 2004 Act).

Lot 1 — Contract lot

The expectation is that: - the Service Provider will be required to put in place measures to ensure the service can be provided nationally. - the Service Provider will seek the views of a child at the request of an education authority, the Additional Support Needs jurisdiction of the Health and Education Chamber of the First-tier Tribunal for Scotland (the Tribunal), a mediation provider, or independent adjudicator.

Estimated lot value including VAT: £521k

Award criterion: Understanding the Requirement and Service Delivery

Award criterion: Service Management, Ordering and Contract Management

Award criterion: Staff and Quality Management

Award criterion: Climate Emergency

Award criterion: Community Benefits

Award criterion: Fair Work First

Award criterion: Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery (BCDR)

Extension: The option to extend by up to 12 months until a date falling no later than 31 March 2031, at the discretion of Scottish Ministers.

Contracting authority

Scottish Government 5 Atlantic Quay, 150 Broomielaw, Glasgow, G2 8LU, UKM, United Kingdom Email: marcia.broadfoot@gov.scot Website: http://www.gov.scot

Procurement timetable and procedure

Procedure: Open procedure

Legal basis: 32014L0024

Submission deadline: 16 December 2026 at 10:00 am

Submission language: EN

CPV Classification

85311300 — Welfare services for children and young people

How to submit

The official Find a Tender notice directs suppliers to the buyer’s electronic tendering system. The procurement documents, clarifications and response area are managed there.

Open the buyer’s electronic tendering system ↗

TenderLab qualification first

Before we write, we establish whether the opportunity fits.

We examine the published participation conditions, service scope, geography, regulatory position, available evidence, mobilisation demands and commercial exposure with your team. We only confirm a full tender-writing engagement when the available information supports a responsible view that the provider meets the tender requirements.

If Children’s Service - Seeking Children’s Views is a credible fit, we can map the scored requirements, gather operational evidence and build the response around the buyer documents. The qualification check and any writing support do not guarantee an award; the contracting authority makes the final decision.