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PROCUREMENT OPPORTUNITY

SPS-02053 Personal Development & Learning

Scottish Prison Service · compiled

Tender information last checkedLast checked 29 Sept 2026, 19:00.

Opportunity overview

Provision of prison based Development and Learning Service throughout Scotland in the public prisons operated by the SPS. The services will be provided to adults with varying degrees of pre-existing educational engagement; disadvantaged learners; 'young offenders' in custody (18-24): & occasionally 'young persons' in custody (16-17). The services will include delivery of a varied curriculum of learning & skills in prisons; learning needs screening of persons following admission to custody; specialist screening (e.g. dyslexia) where required; & working with SPS to ensure progress against the SPS Development & Learning Strategy. The SPS has developed the next generation of its Development & Learning Strategy, "Learning for a Better Future" replacing both existing Learning & Skills Strategy (2016-2021) and Employability Strategy (2017-2022). The project team has aimed to create a single strategy which aligns with the Objectives and Principles set out in the current SPS Corporate Plan (2023-28).

Awarded to

Amounts belong to published awards or contracts. Where several suppliers share one value, it is labelled as shared and is not a supplier-specific allocation.

PeoplePlus Group Ltd

Matched by exact name
Contract value
£36.4m
Awarded
Not supplied
Contract signed
21 Feb 2025
Award ID
008473-2025-02053-1
Status
active
Location
Sheffield, UK, S3 8UG, United Kingdom

Classification

  • CPV80400000 — Adult and other education services
  • CPV75121000 — Administrative educational services
  • CPV80000000 — Education and training services
  • CPV80300000 — Higher education services
  • CPV80490000 — Operation of an educational centre

Lots

  • The SPS commenced this procurement process in good faith and with the intention of awarding a contract. The procurement followed the Restricted Procedure utilising the Competitive Procedure with Negotiation procurement route. Following publication of the Contract Notice a Single Procurement Document (SPD) was made available to bidders, along with SPS's supporting guidance document. Tender responses were then be evaluated by SPS. Following the evaluation of the SPD, shortlisted bidders were provided with an Invitation to Tender (ITT). The ITT was published by SPS and was be made available to bidders via the Public Contract Scotland Tender (PCS-T) portal, an e-Tendering System which can be accessed via the Public Contracts Scotland (PCS) website. The Suppliers noted that all documentation, including the SPD, was only available in electronic form and can be accessed via your web browser. Bidders were required to complete the Online Qualification and Technical SPD (Scotland) Questionnaire on PCS-T.Value not stated

Published notice details

Additional information from the published procurement release. Fields appear only when supplied by the source; check the original notice and tender documents before acting.

Scope, procedure and submissions

Id
SPS-02053
Status
complete
Has Recurrence
No
Procurement Method
selective
Main Procurement Category
services
Procurement Method Details
Competitive procedure with negotiation

Covered By

GPA

Legal basis

Id
32014L0024
Scheme
CELEX

Second Stage

Invitation Date
1 Jul 2024, 00:00
Successive Reduction
Yes
No Negotiation Necessary
Yes

Tender Period

Ends
3 Jun 2024, 12:00

Communication

Future Notice Date
1 Jul 2024, 00:00

Contract terms

Performance Terms
The bidder will be able to deliver & award activities that are accredited and related to the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) plus other relevant vocational qualifications. Bidder staff working in SPS premises will be subject to employer led vetting with Disclosure Scotland at Enhanced level and/or as required by the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (Scotland). The bidder will comply with the Data Protection Act 2018 in respect of the appropriate handling of personal data & records relating to learners using the Services. Parties working in SPS premises will be required to comply with prison Security regulations incl the provisions about Prohibited Items. SPS will seek assurances regarding workforce matters (including Living Wage) in respect of those engaged to provide the Services (this assurance will include any sub-contractor or training partner staff used to provide Services within SPS premises).
Has Electronic Payment
Yes
Has Electronic Ordering
Yes
Electronic Invoicing Policy
allowed

Classification

Id
80400000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Adult and other education services

Submission terms

Languages

en

Submission Method

electronicSubmission

Other Requirements

Requires Staff Names And Qualifications
Yes

Selection criteria

Criteria

Criterion 1
Type
economic
Description
Bidders will be required to have a minimum yearly turnover of GBP10m for the last two years in the business areas covered by the proposed contract. There must be no qualifications or contract-indications from any evidence provided in support of the bidders economic & financial standing. Bidders must have the following minimum insurance levels: Employers Liability insurance in accordance with any legal requirements in force for full time of any contract Public Liability insurance of GBP10m. Locking Indemnity of GBP100,000

Applies To

supplier
Criterion 2
Type
technical
Description
SPD Question 4C.2.1 Services– 40% Bidders shall provide a summary of two completed projects (delivered in the last three years) which demonstrate a proven track record of delivering development/employability and learning services. One example shall detail where they have managed multi-site services. The examples should include the widest range of capacities that would mirror the range of needs across the SPS landscape. SPD Question 4C.2.2 Qualifications – Pass/Fail Bidders are required to demonstrate that their organisation has (or has access to persons with) levels of relevant experience, qualifications and competence to support the proper performance of the Services. The Supplier will be required to ensure that persons delivering prisoner learning or developing materials for this hold a recognised teaching qualification. SPD Question 4C.2.3 Man Power – 30% Bidders are required to detail staffing levels for the previous 3 academic years. SPD Question 4C.2.4 Equipment – 20% It is a requirement under this contract that the successful bidder shall provide a hybrid model of learning which is digitally enhanced and supportive of digital literacy. The bidder shall be required to provide examples of how they have harnessed technology to deliver education services in different environments. SPD Question 4C.2.5 Subcontracting Pass/Fail The SPS intends to move forward with a single supplier contract. However, the bidder should provide examples of how they can utilise subcontracting to enhance development and learning opportunities that would involve engagement with communities, third sector and partner and youth work as examples. SPD Question 4C.2.6 Products– 10% The bidder shall be required to provide example learning plans, whole person assessments and internal management systems that capture performance metrics based on previous experience in projects of this nature. SPD Question 4C.2.7 Quality Control Pass/Fail Bidders will be required to confirm that they have any required quality control certificates (or from agencies of recognised competence) and detail what sets are taken to ensure appropriate quality control management standards have been consistently applied by the organisation within previous work or projects of similar nature.

Applies To

supplier
Criterion 3
Type
technical
Description
The Supplier will be required to ensure that persons delivering prisoner learning or developing materials for this hold a recognised teaching qualification.

Lots and requirements

Entry 1
Id
1
Status
cancelled
Has Options
No
Has Renewal
Yes
Description
The SPS commenced this procurement process in good faith and with the intention of awarding a contract. The procurement followed the Restricted Procedure utilising the Competitive Procedure with Negotiation procurement route. Following publication of the Contract Notice a Single Procurement Document (SPD) was made available to bidders, along with SPS's supporting guidance document. Tender responses were then be evaluated by SPS. Following the evaluation of the SPD, shortlisted bidders were provided with an Invitation to Tender (ITT). The ITT was published by SPS and was be made available to bidders via the Public Contract Scotland Tender (PCS-T) portal, an e-Tendering System which can be accessed via the Public Contracts Scotland (PCS) website. The Suppliers noted that all documentation, including the SPD, was only available in electronic form and can be accessed via your web browser. Bidders were required to complete the Online Qualification and Technical SPD (Scotland) Questionnaire on PCS-T.

Renewal

Description
There will be an optional extension period of up to a further 24 months

Second Stage

Maximum Candidates
5

Award criteria

Criteria

Criterion 1
Name
Quality
Type
quality
Description
60
Criterion 2
Type
price
Description
40

Contract period

Duration In Days
1,800

Submission terms

Variant Policy
notAllowed

Selection criteria

Description
It is intended to invite a maximum of up to 5 bidders to the Invitation to Tender stage. These bidders shall have: a) submitted a compliant submission, comprising the completed SPD; b) satisfied the relevant selection criteria under the exclusion grounds; c)Achieved the required standards with respect to: (i) Minimum Standards of Eligibility - provided evidence of working on specified types of projects; and (ii) Technical or Professional Ability - provided evidence demonstrating an acceptable level of technical or professional ability. d) Quality management systems in place; e) gained a PASS in respect of the financial and economic evaluation; f) achieved the highest total weighted scores available.

Items and delivery

Item 1
Id
1
Related Lot
1

Delivery Location

Description
All SPS establishments including the 14 Scottish Prisons and the 2 Community Custody Units - Bella and Lilias

Delivery locations

Entry 1
Region
UKM
Entry 2
Region
UKM
Entry 3
Region
UKM
Entry 4
Region
UKM
Entry 5
Region
UKM
Entry 6
Region
UKM
Entry 7
Region
UKM

Additional Classifications

Entry 1
Id
75121000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Administrative educational services
Entry 2
Id
80000000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Education and training services
Entry 3
Id
80300000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Higher education services
Entry 4
Id
80490000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Operation of an educational centre

Buyer, suppliers and contacts

Organisation 1
Id
GB-FTS-68977
Name
Scottish Prison Service

Roles

buyer

Address

Region
UKM75
Locality
Edinburgh
Postal Code
EH12 9DJ
Country Name
United Kingdom
Street Address
One Lochside, 1 Lochside Avenue

Details

Classifications

Entry 1
Id
NATIONAL_AGENCY
Scheme
TED_CA_TYPE
Description
National or federal agency/office
Entry 2
Id
03
Scheme
COFOG
Description
Public order and safety

Identifier

Legal Name
Scottish Prison Service

Contact

Name
SPS Procurement
Telephone
+44 1313303771
Organisation 2
Id
GB-FTS-176
Name
Edinburgh Sherriff Court

Roles

reviewBody

Address

Locality
Edinburgh
Postal Code
EH1 1LB
Country Name
United Kingdom
Street Address
27 Chambers St

Details

Identifier

Legal Name
Edinburgh Sherriff Court
Organisation 3
Id
GB-FTS-6727
Name
PeoplePlus Group Ltd

Roles

supplier

Address

Region
UK
Locality
Sheffield
Postal Code
S3 8UG
Country Name
United Kingdom
Street Address
Portland House, Shalesmoor

Details

Scale
large

Identifier

Legal Name
PeoplePlus Group Ltd

Contact

Telephone
+44 7515191004

Award information

Award 1
Id
014702-2024-SPS-02053-1
Status
unsuccessful
Status Details
discontinued

Related lots

1
Award 2
Id
008473-2025-02053-1
Status
active

Suppliers

Supplier 1
Id
GB-FTS-6727
Name
PeoplePlus Group Ltd

Related lots

1

Contracts and changes

Entry 1
Id
008473-2025-02053-1
Status
active
Award ID
008473-2025-02053-1
Date Signed
21 Feb 2025, 00:00

Value

Amount
36,400,000
Currency
GBP

Recorded locations

  • Buyer location · Edinburgh · UKM75 · EH12 9DJ · United Kingdom
  • Delivery location · UKM

Notice and amendment history

1 published notice version reviewed by ProcuraAxis.

1 VERSION
  1. ocds-h6vhtk-041799-2025-03-10T11:06:37Zcompiled ·