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PROCUREMENT OPPORTUNITY

How can technology help people overcome barriers to accessing key online services?

Scottish Government · compiled

Tender information last checkedLast checked 30 Sept 2026, 10:10.

Opportunity overview

Despite the success of programmes such as Connecting Scotland, many individuals still struggle to access essential services because of low digital skills, limited confidence, or a lack of access to devices and connectivity. This Challenge seeks innovative, user-centred solutions that focus on people who may have some access to devices or connectivity but face barriers in using digital services safely and effectively. Proposals should address varied user needs, helping individuals engage with services including financial tools, education and employment. Connectivity and devices matter - but skills and confidence are critical to unlocking meaningful digital inclusion.

Classification

  • CPV72000000 — IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support
  • CPV30000000 — Office and computing machinery, equipment and supplies except furniture and software packages
  • CPV48740000 — Foreign language translation software package
  • CPV72600000 — Computer support and consultancy services
  • CPV75000000 — Administration, defence and social security services
  • CPV80000000 — Education and training services
  • CPV80400000 — Adult and other education services

Lots

  • About CivTech CivTech’s mission is to drive daring and innovation in the public sector by collaboratively solving Challenges that make people’s lives better – and in doing so create generations of sustainable, high growth businesses. CivTech brings together public sector expertise and private sector innovation to solve real problems, develop new products, and deliver better, faster and easier services for everyone. Central to the approach is co-production with the citizen. Part of the Scottish Government’s Digital Directorate, CivTech’s approach is helping transform public sector engagement with tech and innovation, delivering significant benefits to public services, producing genuine uplifts for the Scottish economy - and along the way, making lives better. Across the country there are problems public sector organisations would like to solve and in the current environment the need for smart, efficient and effective products has never been greater. The Scottish Government is aware innovation is a good way to create them and is committed to ensuring a large part of its tech spend goes to innovative businesses - whatever stage they’re at, or size they are.. This is where CivTech comes in. The CivTech Innovation Flow is designed to create products as quickly and effectively as possible, and uses a true Accelerator model at the heart of its Innovation Flow model. For you – whether you’re an individual, team or company – it’s an opportunity to take on a Challenge, solve it, and win contracts with a blue-chip public sector organisation. You’ll build a product, and a business to take it as far as possible. Because here’s the kicker: the Challenges we issue aren’t ‘single organisation’ problems – most of the problems we are solving exist worldwide. In short: Open Challenges are set. Any organisation, team or individual can respond. Applications are assessed, and shortlisted proposals go into an Exploration Stage where they’re developed further together with the Challenge Sponsor and the CivTech [for which participating applicants are paid]. The best go through to the Accelerator – a period of intensive work to create the solution, and through CivTech’s unique business growth workshop system, a business capable of taking the product to the world. Please visit our website for information on CivTech and how to get involved: https://www.civtech.scot/civtech-11-challenge-9-overcoming-barriers-to-accessing-key-online-services https://www.civtech.scot/how-to-apply-civtech-11£1m

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
ocds-h6vhtk-05a5df
Status
active
Has Recurrence
No
Procurement Method
open
Main Procurement Category
services
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure

Covered By

GPA

Procedure

Is Accelerated
Yes
Accelerated Rationale
This procedure tender return date is on the 29th October

Bid Opening

Date
29 Oct 2025, 12:00

Legal basis

Id
32014L0024
Scheme
CELEX

Expected award period

Starts
29 Oct 2025, 12:00

Tender Period

Ends
29 Oct 2025, 12:00

Communication

Contract terms

Has Electronic Payment
Yes
Has Electronic Ordering
Yes
Electronic Invoicing Policy
allowed

Classification

Id
72000000
Scheme
CPV
Description
IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

Submission terms

Languages

en

Bid Validity Period

Duration In Days
180

Submission Method

electronicSubmission

Lots and requirements

Entry 1
Id
1
Status
active
Has Options
No
Has Renewal
Yes
Description
About CivTech CivTech’s mission is to drive daring and innovation in the public sector by collaboratively solving Challenges that make people’s lives better – and in doing so create generations of sustainable, high growth businesses. CivTech brings together public sector expertise and private sector innovation to solve real problems, develop new products, and deliver better, faster and easier services for everyone. Central to the approach is co-production with the citizen. Part of the Scottish Government’s Digital Directorate, CivTech’s approach is helping transform public sector engagement with tech and innovation, delivering significant benefits to public services, producing genuine uplifts for the Scottish economy - and along the way, making lives better. Across the country there are problems public sector organisations would like to solve and in the current environment the need for smart, efficient and effective products has never been greater. The Scottish Government is aware innovation is a good way to create them and is committed to ensuring a large part of its tech spend goes to innovative businesses - whatever stage they’re at, or size they are.. This is where CivTech comes in. The CivTech Innovation Flow is designed to create products as quickly and effectively as possible, and uses a true Accelerator model at the heart of its Innovation Flow model. For you – whether you’re an individual, team or company – it’s an opportunity to take on a Challenge, solve it, and win contracts with a blue-chip public sector organisation. You’ll build a product, and a business to take it as far as possible. Because here’s the kicker: the Challenges we issue aren’t ‘single organisation’ problems – most of the problems we are solving exist worldwide. In short: Open Challenges are set. Any organisation, team or individual can respond. Applications are assessed, and shortlisted proposals go into an Exploration Stage where they’re developed further together with the Challenge Sponsor and the CivTech [for which participating applicants are paid]. The best go through to the Accelerator – a period of intensive work to create the solution, and through CivTech’s unique business growth workshop system, a business capable of taking the product to the world. Please visit our website for information on CivTech and how to get involved: https://www.civtech.scot/civtech-11-challenge-9-overcoming-barriers-to-accessing-key-online-services https://www.civtech.scot/how-to-apply-civtech-11

Value

Amount
1,000,000
Currency
GBP

Renewal

Description
This contract can be extended if required

Award criteria

Criteria

Criterion 1
Name
Quality
Type
quality
Description
100
Criterion 2
Type
price
Description
0

Contract period

Duration In Days
720

Submission terms

Variant Policy
notAllowed
Electronic Catalogue Policy
required

Items and delivery

Item 1
Id
1
Related Lot
1

Delivery locations

Entry 1
Region
UK

Additional Classifications

Entry 1
Id
72600000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Computer support and consultancy services
Entry 2
Id
80000000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Education and training services
Entry 3
Id
80400000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Adult and other education services
Entry 4
Id
30000000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Office and computing machinery, equipment and supplies except furniture and software packages
Entry 5
Id
75000000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Administration, defence and social security services
Entry 6
Id
48740000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Foreign language translation software package

Buyer, suppliers and contacts

Organisation 1
Id
GB-FTS-1538
Name
Scottish Government

Roles

buyer
centralPurchasingBody

Address

Region
UKM
Locality
Glasgow
Postal Code
G2 8LU
Country Name
United Kingdom
Street Address
5 Atlantic Quay, 150 Broomielaw

Details

Classifications

Entry 1
Id
MINISTRY
Scheme
TED_CA_TYPE
Description
Ministry or any other national or federal authority, including their regional or local subdivisions
Entry 2
Id
01
Scheme
COFOG
Description
General public services

Identifier

Legal Name
Scottish Government

Contact

Name
Erin Crawford
Telephone
+44 412425466
Organisation 2
Id
GB-FTS-119943
Name
Edinburgh Sheriff Court

Roles

reviewBody
mediationBody
reviewContactPoint

Address

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

Identifier

Legal Name
Edinburgh Sheriff Court

Recorded locations

  • Buyer location · Glasgow · UKM · G2 8LU · United Kingdom
  • Delivery location · UK

Notice and amendment history

1 published notice version reviewed by ProcuraAxis.

1 VERSION
  1. ocds-h6vhtk-05a5df-2025-10-01T12:39:13+01:00compiled ·