Executive and Senior Specialist Search and Associated Recruitment Services

{
  "buyer": {
    "id": "org-47",
    "name": "APUC Limited"
  },
  "date": "2026-03-06T00:00:00Z",
  "description": "Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in regulation 58 of the Public\r\n Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015.\r\n The following should be submitted prior to award. It is for information only and will not be scored.\r\n Form of Tender\r\n Please confirm that you will be in a position to submit prior to award \u00e2\u0080\u009cAppendix A \u00e2\u0080\u0093 Form of Tender\u00e2\u0080\u009d in the Technical Questionnaire in\r\n PCS-Tender.\r\n Freedom of Information\r\n Please confirm that you will be in a position to submit prior to award \u00e2\u0080\u009cAppendix B \u00e2\u0080\u0093 Freedom of Information\u00e2\u0080\u009d if applicable in the\r\n Technical Questionnaire in PCS-Tender.\r\n Sustain Supply Chain Code of Conduct\r\n Please confirm that you will be in a position to submit prior to award \u00e2\u0080\u009cAppendix D \u00e2\u0080\u0093 Sustain Supply Chain Code of Conduct\u00e2\u0080\u009d in the\r\n Technical Questionnaire in PCS-Tender.\r\n For Information only\r\n List of Institutions - Appendix E\r\n The buyer is using PCS-Tender to conduct this ITT exercise. The Project code is 31279. For more information see: http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/info/InfoCentre.aspx?ID=2343\r\n A sub-contract clause has been included in this contract. For more information see: http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/info/InfoCentre.aspx?ID=2363\r\n Community benefits are included in this requirement. For more information see: https://www.gov.scot/policies/public-sector-procurement/community-benefits-in-procurement/\r\n A summary of the expected community benefits has been provided as follows:\r\n Leadership and governance career\u00e2\u0080\u0091pathway awareness sessions\r\n Executive\u00e2\u0080\u0091level mentoring or coaching for emerging leaders\r\n Support for return to leadership or senior\u00e2\u0080\u0091career returner programmes\r\n Mock interviews and application support for senior or specialist roles\r\n Pro bono strategic recruitment advice (succession planning, senior hiring, workforce strategy)\r\n Workshops on inclusive executive recruitment and reducing bias at senior levels\r\n Access to leadership, governance, and strategic HR eLearning modules\r\n Guest lectures or talks on public\u00e2\u0080\u0091sector leadership and senior career development\r\n Diversity and inclusion initiatives focused on leadership representation\r\n Volunteering or pro bono support for boards, charities, or governance groups\r\n (SC Ref:824413)",
  "id": "rls-25-MAR551180",
  "initiationType": "tender",
  "language": "EN",
  "links": [
    {
      "href": "https://api.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/v1/Notice?id=ocds-r6ebe6-0000824413",
      "rel": "canonical"
    }
  ],
  "ocid": "ocds-r6ebe6-0000824413",
  "parties": [
    {
      "address": {
        "locality": "Stirling",
        "postalCode": "FK8 2DZ",
        "region": "UKM",
        "streetAddress": "Unit 27, Stirling Business Centre, Wellgreen"
      },
      "contactPoint": {
        "email": "gkerr@apuc-scot.ac.uk",
        "name": "Graeme Kerr",
        "telephone": "+44 1314428930",
        "url": "https://www.publictendersscotland.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk"
      },
      "details": {
        "classifications": [
          {
            "id": "Body governed by public law",
            "scheme": "TED_CA_TYPE"
          },
          {
            "description": "Education",
            "id": "09",
            "scheme": "COFOG"
          }
        ],
        "url": "http://www.apuc-scot.ac.uk"
      },
      "id": "org-47",
      "identifier": {
        "legalName": "APUC Limited"
      },
      "name": "APUC Limited",
      "roles": [
        "buyer",
        "centralPurchasingBody"
      ]
    },
    {
      "address": {
        "locality": "Edinburgh",
        "postalCode": "EH1 1LB",
        "streetAddress": "27 Chambers Street"
      },
      "contactPoint": {
        "telephone": "+44 1312252525",
        "url": "http://"
      },
      "id": "org-41",
      "identifier": {
        "legalName": "Sheriff Court House"
      },
      "name": "Sheriff Court House",
      "roles": [
        "reviewBody"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "relatedProcesses": [
    {
      "id": "1",
      "identifier": "2025/S 000-067001",
      "relationship": [
        "planning"
      ],
      "scheme": "EU-OJ"
    }
  ],
  "tag": [
    "tender"
  ],
  "tender": {
    "awardPeriod": {
      "startDate": "2026-04-13T15:00:00Z"
    },
    "bidOpening": {
      "date": "2026-04-13T15:00:00Z"
    },
    "classification": {
      "id": "79600000",
      "scheme": "CPV"
    },
    "contractTerms": {
      "electronicInvoicingPolicy": "allowed",
      "hasElectronicOrdering": true,
      "hasElectronicPayment": true,
      "performanceTerms": "Submission of Management Information following commencement of the Framework Agreement, the Contractor will provide a performance report to the Authority on a quarterly basis to include spend by Institution under the Framework Agreement for the reporting period. Contractors must provide the information on a quarterly basis, within 10 working days following the start of each quarter. Data must be uploaded to the website: http://ucsp.ac.uk."
    },
    "coveredBy": [
      "GPA"
    ],
    "description": "The Authority is seeking Contractor(s) for the provision of Executive and Senior Specialist Search and Associated Recruitment Services to the higher education (HE) institutions and further education (FE) institutions (and affiliated bodies) in Scotland. A list of the Institutions can be found in Appendix E. In addition, the following purchasing consortia and their respective members have agreed in principle to participate in the Framework Agreement:\r\n London Universities Purchasing Consortium and its members (LUPC) \u00e2\u0080\u0093 Lots 3, 5 and 6 only\r\n North Western Universities Purchasing Consortium and its members (NWUPC)\r\n Southern Universities Purchasing Consortium its members (SUPC) \u00e2\u0080\u0093 Lot 6 only\r\n NHS National Procurement and its members\r\n Healthcare Improvement Scotland\r\n NHS Education for Scotland\r\n NHS Golden Jubilee\r\n NHS24\r\n Scotland Excel and its members\r\n Scottish Ambulance Service\r\n Scottish Government\r\n The State Hospitals Board for Scotland\r\n The framework agreement will be available for use by the Scottish Ministers (including Agencies), Scottish Non-Departmental Public Bodies, offices in the Scottish Administration which are not ministerial offices, cross-border public authorities within the meaning of section 88(5) of the Scotland Act 1998, The Office for the Secretary of State for Scotland, the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body, councils constituted under section 2 of the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994, , bodies registered as social landlords under the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001, Scottish health boards or special health boards, Student Loans Company Limited, the Commissioner of Northern Lighthouse operating as the Northern Lighthouse Board, Scottish Futures Trust, Equality and Human Rights Commission, Business Stream Ltd, the Business Gateway National Unit at the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, further or higher education institutions being fundable bodies within the meaning of section 6 of the further and Higher Education (Scotland) Act 2005, any public body established by or under the Scotland Act 1998 or any Act of the Scottish Parliament, any association of or formed by one or more of the foregoing, bodies financed wholly or mainly by one or more of the foregoing, bodies subject to management supervision by one or more of the foregoing and bodies more than half of the board of directors or members of which, or, in the case of a group of individuals, more than half of those individuals, being appointed by one or more of the foregoing. In addition to the contracting authorities listed, the framework agreement will be available to charities entered on the Scottish Charity Register and voluntary organisations entered on the Membership Database of the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations.\r\n Information about agencies of the Scottish Ministers, Scottish Non-Departmental Public Bodies and offices in the Scottish Administration which are not ministerial offices are listed at\r\n http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Government/public-bodies/about/Bodies\r\n Overview of the governance structure of public procurement for Scotland, including the Public Procurement Group.\r\n https://www.gov.scot/publications/public-procurement-governance/",
    "documents": [
      {
        "description": "The Authority is seeking Contractor(s) for the provision of Executive and Senior Specialist Search and Associated Recruitment Services to the higher education (HE) institutions and further education (FE) institutions (and affiliated bodies) in Scotland. A list of the Institutions can be found in Appendix E. In addition, the following purchasing consortia and their respective members have agreed in principle to participate in the Framework Agreement:\r\n London Universities Purchasing Consortium and its members (LUPC) \u00e2\u0080\u0093 Lots 3, 5 and 6 only\r\n North Western Universities Purchasing Consortium and its members (NWUPC)\r\n Southern Universities Purchasing Consortium its members (SUPC) \u00e2\u0080\u0093 Lot 6 only\r\n NHS National Procurement and its members\r\n Healthcare Improvement Scotland\r\n NHS Education for Scotland\r\n NHS Golden Jubilee\r\n NHS24\r\n Scotland Excel and its members\r\n Scottish Ambulance Service\r\n Scottish Government\r\n The State Hospitals Board for Scotland\r\n The framework agreement will be available for use by the Scottish Ministers (including Agencies), Scottish Non-Departmental Public Bodies, offices in the Scottish Administration which are not ministerial offices, cross-border public authorities within the meaning of section 88(5) of the Scotland Act 1998, The Office for the Secretary of State for Scotland, the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body, councils constituted under section 2 of the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994, , bodies registered as social landlords under the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001, Scottish health boards or special health boards, Student Loans Company Limited, the Commissioner of Northern Lighthouse operating as the Northern Lighthouse Board, Scottish Futures Trust, Equality and Human Rights Commission, Business Stream Ltd, the Business Gateway National Unit at the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, further or higher education institutions being fundable bodies within the meaning of section 6 of the further and Higher Education (Scotland) Act 2005, any public body established by or under the Scotland Act 1998 or any Act of the Scottish Parliament, any association of or formed by one or more of the foregoing, bodies financed wholly or mainly by one or more of the foregoing, bodies subject to management supervision by one or more of the foregoing and bodies more than half of the board of directors or members of which, or, in the case of a group of individuals, more than half of those individuals, being appointed by one or more of the foregoing. In addition to the contracting authorities listed, the framework agreement will be available to charities entered on the Scottish Charity Register and voluntary organisations entered on the Membership Database of the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations.\r\n Information about agencies of the Scottish Ministers, Scottish Non-Departmental Public Bodies and offices in the Scottish Administration which are not ministerial offices are listed at\r\n http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Government/public-bodies/about/Bodies\r\n Overview of the governance structure of public procurement for Scotland, including the Public Procurement Group.\r\n https://www.gov.scot/publications/public-procurement-governance/",
        "documentType": "contractNotice",
        "format": "text/html",
        "id": "MAR551180",
        "title": "Executive and Senior Specialist Search and Associated Recruitment Services",
        "url": "https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=MAR551180"
      }
    ],
    "hasRecurrence": true,
    "id": "PFB1048 AP",
    "items": [
      {
        "additionalClassifications": [
          {
            "id": "79600000",
            "scheme": "CPV"
          }
        ],
        "deliveryAddresses": [
          {
            "region": "UK"
          }
        ],
        "deliveryLocation": {
          "description": "UK"
        },
        "id": "1",
        "relatedLot": "1"
      },
      {
        "additionalClassifications": [
          {
            "id": "79600000",
            "scheme": "CPV"
          }
        ],
        "deliveryAddresses": [
          {
            "region": "UK"
          }
        ],
        "deliveryLocation": {
          "description": "UK North"
        },
        "id": "2",
        "relatedLot": "2"
      },
      {
        "additionalClassifications": [
          {
            "id": "79600000",
            "scheme": "CPV"
          }
        ],
        "deliveryAddresses": [
          {
            "region": "UK"
          }
        ],
        "deliveryLocation": {
          "description": "UK South"
        },
        "id": "3",
        "relatedLot": "3"
      },
      {
        "additionalClassifications": [
          {
            "id": "79600000",
            "scheme": "CPV"
          }
        ],
        "deliveryAddresses": [
          {
            "region": "UK"
          }
        ],
        "deliveryLocation": {
          "description": "UK North"
        },
        "id": "4",
        "relatedLot": "4"
      },
      {
        "additionalClassifications": [
          {
            "id": "79600000",
            "scheme": "CPV"
          }
        ],
        "deliveryAddresses": [
          {
            "region": "UK"
          }
        ],
        "deliveryLocation": {
          "description": "UK South"
        },
        "id": "5",
        "relatedLot": "5"
      },
      {
        "additionalClassifications": [
          {
            "id": "79600000",
            "scheme": "CPV"
          }
        ],
        "deliveryAddresses": [
          {
            "region": "UK"
          }
        ],
        "deliveryLocation": {
          "description": "UK"
        },
        "id": "6",
        "relatedLot": "6"
      }
    ],
    "legalBasis": {
      "id": "32014L0024",
      "scheme": "CELEX"
    },
    "lotDetails": {
      "maximumLotsBidPerSupplier": 2147483647
    },
    "lots": [
      {
        "awardCriteria": {
          "criteria": [
            {
              "description": "60%",
              "name": "Technical",
              "type": "quality"
            },
            {
              "description": "40%",
              "type": "price"
            }
          ]
        },
        "contractPeriod": {
          "durationInDays": 1080
        },
        "description": "This lot is for recruitment related services to support the recruitment activities of the institutions. The activities that may be included would be:\r\n Succession planning\r\n Board reviews\r\n Salary and remuneration benchmarking\r\n Skills audit\r\n Candidate market scoping\r\n Panel training\r\n Unconscious bias training\r\n Access to Recruitment Technology.\r\n The pricing for this would be on an hourly, half day and day rate basis however fixed fees may be agreed on call off for a prescribed piece of work before this work is conducted.\r\n The Authority is seeking to appoint a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 6 Contractors to service this lot.. 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",
        "hasOptions": false,
        "hasRenewal": true,
        "id": "1",
        "renewal": {
          "description": "The Authority reserves the right to extend the Framework Agreement for a period of up to 12 months subject to satisfactory performance and continued Institutions requirements"
        },
        "status": "active",
        "submissionTerms": {
          "variantPolicy": "notAllowed"
        },
        "title": "Recruitment related services"
      },
      {
        "awardCriteria": {
          "criteria": [
            {
              "description": "60%",
              "name": "Technical",
              "type": "quality"
            },
            {
              "description": "40%",
              "type": "price"
            }
          ]
        },
        "contractPeriod": {
          "durationInDays": 1080
        },
        "description": "This Lot relates to the provision of search and selection services for executive roles based in Scotland and the areas represented by NWUPC, including Northern Ireland. The Contractor shall be responsible for identifying, assessing, and presenting suitably qualified candidates in accordance with the Authority\u00e2\u0080\u0099s requirements.\r\n The Authority is seeking to appoint a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 6 Contractors to service this Lot.. 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.",
        "hasOptions": false,
        "hasRenewal": true,
        "id": "2",
        "renewal": {
          "description": "The Authority reserves the right to extend the Framework Agreement for a period of up to 12 months subject to satisfactory performance and continued Institutions requirements"
        },
        "status": "active",
        "submissionTerms": {
          "variantPolicy": "notAllowed"
        },
        "title": "Executive Search \u00e2\u0080\u0093 North"
      },
      {
        "awardCriteria": {
          "criteria": [
            {
              "description": "60%",
              "name": "Technical",
              "type": "quality"
            },
            {
              "description": "40%",
              "type": "price"
            }
          ]
        },
        "contractPeriod": {
          "durationInDays": 1080
        },
        "description": "This Lot relates to the provision of search and selection services for executive roles based in England and the areas represented by LUPC. The Contractor shall be responsible for identifying, assessing, and presenting suitably qualified candidates in accordance with the Authority\u00e2\u0080\u0099s requirements.\r\n The Authority is seeking to appoint a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 6 Contractors to service this Lot.. 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",
        "hasOptions": false,
        "hasRenewal": true,
        "id": "3",
        "renewal": {
          "description": "The Authority reserves the right to extend the Framework Agreement for a period of up to 12 months subject to satisfactory performance and continued Institutions requirements"
        },
        "status": "active",
        "submissionTerms": {
          "variantPolicy": "notAllowed"
        },
        "title": "Executive Search - South"
      },
      {
        "awardCriteria": {
          "criteria": [
            {
              "description": "60%",
              "name": "Technical",
              "type": "quality"
            },
            {
              "description": "40%",
              "type": "price"
            }
          ]
        },
        "contractPeriod": {
          "durationInDays": 1080
        },
        "description": "This lot is for the search and selection of highly qualified candidates for senior specialist level roles based in Scotland and the areas represented by NWUPC, including Northern Ireland. The Contractor shall be responsible for identifying, assessing, and presenting suitably qualified candidates in accordance with the Authority\u00e2\u0080\u0099s requirements.\r\n The Authority is seeking to appoint a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 6 Contractors to service each of these lots.. 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",
        "hasOptions": false,
        "hasRenewal": true,
        "id": "4",
        "renewal": {
          "description": "The Authority reserves the right to extend the Framework Agreement for a period of up to 12 months subject to satisfactory performance and continued Institutions requirements"
        },
        "status": "active",
        "submissionTerms": {
          "variantPolicy": "notAllowed"
        },
        "title": "Senior Specialist Search \u00e2\u0080\u0093 North"
      },
      {
        "awardCriteria": {
          "criteria": [
            {
              "description": "60%",
              "name": "Technical",
              "type": "quality"
            },
            {
              "description": "40%",
              "type": "price"
            }
          ]
        },
        "contractPeriod": {
          "durationInDays": 1080
        },
        "description": "This lot is for the search and selection of highly qualified candidates for senior specialist level roles based in England and the areas represented by LUPC. The Contractor shall be responsible for identifying, assessing, and presenting suitably qualified candidates in accordance with the Authority\u00e2\u0080\u0099s requirements.\r\n The Authority is seeking to appoint a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 6 Contractors to service each of these lots.. 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",
        "hasOptions": false,
        "hasRenewal": true,
        "id": "5",
        "renewal": {
          "description": "The Authority reserves the right to extend the Framework Agreement for a period of up to 12 months subject to satisfactory performance and continued Institutions requirements"
        },
        "status": "active",
        "submissionTerms": {
          "variantPolicy": "notAllowed"
        },
        "title": "Senior Specialist Search \u00e2\u0080\u0093 South"
      },
      {
        "awardCriteria": {
          "criteria": [
            {
              "description": "60%",
              "name": "Technical",
              "type": "quality"
            },
            {
              "description": "40%",
              "type": "price"
            }
          ]
        },
        "contractPeriod": {
          "durationInDays": 1080
        },
        "description": "This lot is for the search and selection of highly qualified candidates for Chairs and members of governing committees and board roles based in the UK.\r\n The Authority is seeking to appoint a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 6 Contractors to service each of these lots.. 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",
        "hasOptions": false,
        "hasRenewal": true,
        "id": "6",
        "renewal": {
          "description": "The Authority reserves the right to extend the Framework Agreement for a period of up to 12 months subject to satisfactory performance and continued Institutions requirements"
        },
        "status": "active",
        "submissionTerms": {
          "variantPolicy": "notAllowed"
        },
        "title": "Chairs of Court and members of governing committees and boards"
      }
    ],
    "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
    "procurementMethod": "open",
    "procurementMethodDetails": "Open procedure",
    "recurrence": {
      "description": "June 2030"
    },
    "selectionCriteria": {
      "criteria": [
        {
          "minimum": "Please refer to Question 4B.5 of the SPD and Economic and Financial Standing section of the Contract Notice. Tenderers must confirm that they can provide the following supporting evidence prior to award:\r\n Employers Liability: 5,000,000 GBP\r\n Public Liability: 5,000,000.00 GBP\r\n Professional Indemnity: 5,000,000.00 GBP\r\n To demonstrate and evidence suitable economic standing, successful Contractors will be required to provide 2 years audited accounts, or equivalent if awarded to the Framework Agreement. Alternatively, if the Contractor is unable to provide the required accounting information, e.g. due to being a new business, then they will be required to provide a banker\u0027s letter demonstrating their willingness to the support the Contractor\u0027s organisation over the term of the framework agreement.\r\n Please refer to 4B.6 of the SPD",
          "type": "economic"
        },
        {
          "minimum": "Tenderers must confirm they have (or have access to) the relevant supply chain management and tracking systems to ensure a resilient and sustainable supply chain. This includes confirmation that they have the systems in place to pay subcontractors through the supply chain promptly (i.e. no later than30 days after the invoice (or similar claim) relating to the payment is presented) and effectively, and provide evidence when requested of:\r\n a) their standard payment terms\r\n b) \u00e2\u0089\u00a595% of all supply chain invoices being paid on time (in accordance with the terms of contract) in the last financial year.\r\n If the bidder is unable to confirm (b) they must provide an improvement plan, signed by their Director, which improves the payment performance.",
          "type": "technical"
        }
      ]
    },
    "status": "active",
    "submissionMethod": [
      "electronicSubmission"
    ],
    "submissionMethodDetails": "https://www.publictendersscotland.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk",
    "submissionTerms": {
      "bidValidityPeriod": {
        "durationInDays": 180
      },
      "languages": [
        "en"
      ]
    },
    "techniques": {
      "frameworkAgreement": {
        "maximumParticipants": 36.0
      },
      "hasFrameworkAgreement": true
    },
    "tenderPeriod": {
      "endDate": "2026-04-13T14:00:00Z"
    },
    "title": "Executive and Senior Specialist Search and Associated Recruitment Services",
    "value": {
      "amount": 12000000.0,
      "currency": "GBP"
    }
  }
}