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Section I: Contracting authority

I.1) Name and addresses

Scottish Government

5 Atlantic Quay, 150 Broomielaw

Glasgow

G2 8LU

Contact

Stuart Riach

Email

stuart.riach2 [at] gov.scot

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code

UKM - Scotland

Internet address(es)

Main address

Buyer's address

I.3) Communication

The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at

Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address

Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted electronically via

I.4) Type of the contracting authority

Ministry or any other national or federal authority

I.5) Main activity

General public services

Section II: Object

II.1) Scope of the procurement

II.1.1) Title

DECC Appraisal of Peat Landslide Hazard Risk Assessments

Reference number

CASE/845541

II.1.2) Main CPV code

• 90714000 - Environmental auditing

II.1.3) Type of contract

Services

II.1.4) Short description

The Scottish Government Energy Consents Unit is seeking expert technical advice from qualified professionals on peat stability matters in relation to development proposals under section 36, 36C and 37 of the Electricity Act 1989.

II.1.5) Estimated total value

Value excluding VAT: £500,000

II.1.6) Information about lots

This contract is divided into lots: No

II.2) Description

II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

• 90711400 - Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) services other than for construction

II.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes

• UKM - Scotland

II.2.4) Description of the procurement

The Scottish Ministers are the consenting authority for applications for the construction and operation of generating stations, and the installation of overhead lines, under sections 36 and 37 of the Electricity Act 1989 ("Electricity Act Applications").

The Energy Consents Unit processes a number of Electricity Act Applications (including some on peatland) which require an Environmental Impact Assessment, including wind farms with installed capacity in excess of 50 megawatts and overhead electric lines. In peatland areas, aside from potential ecological impacts there can be the risk of peat landslide as a result of the proposal, its engineering operations and its associated infrastructure (such as roads, access tracks, anemometer masts, substations and foundations) with the potential for risk to population and public safety where paths, roadways or properties may be impacted, or environmental pollution, especially where there is the potential for peat landslides to impact on nearby watercourses.

As a result, where Electricity Act Applications are proposed on peatland habitats, comprehensive peat landslide hazard risk assessments (PLHRA) are required to be carried out in accordance with the Scottish Government “Peat Landslide Hazard and Risk Assessments: Best Practice Guide for Proposed Electricity Generation Developments" (published at ) and details are required to be included in EIA reports provided with the applications.

In addition to processing Electricity Act Applications for consent, the Energy Consents Unit also has a role in considering proposals at pre-application stage, facilitating discussions with environmental stakeholders to enable design iterations to be made in light of environmental sensitivities, and establishing where mitigation measures may overcome environmental impacts which may arise from the deployment of projects.

In order to determine the applications described above, the Energy Consents Unit requires access to technical expertise to audit the environmental information provided by developers against the Scottish Government Best Practice Guide referred to above; to make recommendations to Scottish Ministers on how any matters which fall short of best practice should be addressed; to provide advice and drafting input to Scottish Ministers on planning conditions which may be required to mitigate peat landslide risks; and to provide advice to Scottish Ministers on requirements for PLHRAs during EIA screening and scoping. These services may be required in the context on any of the applications under the Electricity Act which are determined by Scottish Ministers.

II.2.5) Award criteria

Quality criterion - Name: Overall Quality / Weighting: 75

Quality criterion - Name: Methodology / Weighting: 40/100

Quality criterion - Name: Project Team / Weighting: 40/100

Quality criterion - Name: Quality Assurance / Weighting: 10/100

Quality criterion - Name: Fair Work First / Weighting: 5/100

Quality criterion - Name: Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery / Weighting: 5/100

Price - Weighting: 25

II.2.6) Estimated value

Value excluding VAT: £500,000

II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system

Duration in months

24

This contract is subject to renewal

Yes

Description of renewals

The contract will be for a period of 24 months commencing in July 2026. The Scottish Government may, by giving 30 days notice to the Service Provider, extend the period of the contract for up to 12 months. Subject to that constraint, the Scottish Government may extend the period of the Contract on more than one occasion.

II.2.10) Information about variants

Variants will be accepted: No

II.2.11) Information about options

Options: Yes

Description of options

It is not possible to predict the number of Electricity Act Applications or the number of peat landslide hazard risk assessments that will require appraisal during the term of the contract. This is dependent on the volume and nature of applications submitted by developers, over which the Scottish Government has no control.

The total value of the contract, including any extension periods, is not anticipated to exceed 500,000 GBP excluding VAT. The Scottish Government may however, at its sole discretion, increase the value of the contract by up to 20% to a maximum of 600,000 GBP excluding VAT.

Any increase to the contract value may only be applied where actual demand for the services exceeds 500,000 GBP during the contract term and/or any extension periods. Any increase shall not modify the nature, scope, or specification of the services, nor shall it alter the pricing mechanism, rates, or basis of payment set out in the contract.

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

List and brief description of selection criteria

SPD 4B.5: Insurance Requirements - the bidder confirms they already have or can commit to obtain, prior to the commencement of the contract, the levels of insurance cover indicated below:

Minimum level(s) of standards possibly required

SPD 4B.5.1a: Professional Risk Indemnity 2,000,000 GBP

SPD 4B.5.1b: Employer's (Compulsory) Liability Insurance 5,000,000 GBP

SPD 4B.5.2: Public Liability: 1,000,000 GBP

III.1.3) Technical and professional ability

List and brief description of selection criteria

SPD 4C.1.2 - Bidders are required to provide examples that demonstrate that they have the relevant experience to deliver the services.

SPD 4C.4 - Bidders are required to provide a statement of the relevant supply chain management and/or tracking systems used.

SPD 4C.6.1 - Bidders are required to confirm that their managerial staff have the relevant educational and professional qualifications listed below.

SPD 4C.10 - Bidders are required to confirm whether they intend to subcontract and, if so, for what proportion of the contract.

Minimum level(s) of standards possibly required

SPD 4C.1.2 - at least one example which demonstrates relevant experience of carrying out appraisals of similar geotechnical or environmental risk assessments.

SPD 4C.4 - If bidders intend to use a supply chain to deliver the requirements detailed in the Contract Notice, they should confirm they have (or have access to) the relevant supply chain management and tracking systems to ensure a resilient and sustainable supply chain. This will include confirmation that they have the systems in place to pay subcontractors through the supply chain promptly and effectively, and provide evidence when requested of a) their standard payment terms; and b) ≥95% of all supply chain invoices being paid on time (in accordance with the terms of contract) in the last financial year. If the bidder is unable to confirm (b) they must provide an improvement plan, signed by their Director, which improves the payment performance.

SPD 4C.6.1 - multidisciplinary team comprising at least three of the following disciplines: (i) Engineering geologist; (ii) Geomorphologist; (iii) Geotechnical engineer; (iv) Hydrogeologist/hydrologist; (v) Ecologist. These team members should be led by a Competent Person who will be chartered through an appropriate professional institution ( CEng, CGeol, CIWEM, MICE or equivalent).

SPD 4C.10 - Bidders to provide details of subcontractors and their relevant obligations.

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.1.8) Information about the 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

8 June 2026

Local time

12:00pm

IV.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted

English

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

8 June 2026

Local time

12:00pm

Section VI. Complementary information

VI.1) Information about recurrence

This is a recurrent procurement: Yes

Estimated timing for further notices to be published: Should there be an ongoing requirement for these services beyond the initial contract term, and the contract is not extended, further notices are likely to be published between January and March 2028.

However, if the contract is extended by up to 12 months, further notices could be published at any point between July 2028 and March 2029.

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

The Single Procurement Document (Scotland) is a standard qualification questionnaire supplied by Scottish Ministers for all regulated procurements. The SPD (Scotland) is used to self-certify for the minimum requirements to tender for this contract opportunity and will be scored on a Pass/Fail basis.

Each tender will be individually evaluated to identify the most economically advantageous service provider, based on the Price / Quality weightings detailed in this notice.

Questions that form the Quality award criteria will be scored using the following methodology:

0 - Unacceptable; 1 - Poor; 2 - Acceptable; 3 - Good; 4 - Excellent

Tenderers must also confirm that they will pay staff that are involved in the delivery of services under the contract at least the real Living Wage and meet standards on payment of any subcontractors. Tenderers who do not pass these questions will not be considered further.

The buyer is using PCS-Tender to conduct this ITT exercise. The Project code is 31707. For more information see:

(SC Ref:831252)

VI.4) Procedures for review

VI.4.1) Review body

Edinburgh Sheriff Court

27 Chambers St

Edinburgh

EH1 1LB

Country

United Kingdom