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PROCUREMENT OPPORTUNITY

DCAF - Secure Transport and Escort of Children to Scottish Ministers

Scottish Government · tender

Tender information last checkedLast checked 27 Sept 2026, 06:41.

Opportunity overview

Scottish Ministers seek to appoint an external service provider for the provision of Secure Transport and Escort of Children.

Classification

  • CPV60130000 — Special-purpose road passenger-transport services
  • CPV75231220 — Prisoner-escort services

Lots

  • Scottish Ministers are responsible for the placement and management of children under the age of 18 who are sentenced to detention by the courts, including responsibility for their secure transportation. Legislative changes introduced through the Children (Care and Justice) (Scotland) Act 2024 reinforce Scotland’s commitment to a rights-based, trauma-informed, child-centred justice system. The service will provide secure transport and escort services for children between courts, secure centres, hospitals, and other premises across Scotland. This will include, but is not limited to planned, unplanned and standby escorts, and custody and supervision at court, and transfer arrangements when a child reaches the age of 18, where required. The Service will only cover children whose secure transport and escort are the responsibility of Scottish Ministers. The contract is anticipated to commence in January 2027 for a period of 36 months with the option to extend by up to a further 24 months.£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
CASE/850444
Status
active
Main Procurement Category
services
Procurement Method
open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Has Recurrence
No

Legal basis

Id
32014L0024
Scheme
CELEX

Classification

Scheme
CPV
Id
60130000
Description
Special-purpose road passenger-transport services

Participation Fees

Entry 1
Id
1

Type

document

Submission Method

electronicSubmission

Communication

Selection criteria

Criteria

Criterion 1
Type
suitability
Description
It shall be a requirement of the contract that all relevant staff must be a certified Prison Custody Officer (PCO). Accordingly, Bidders must confirm that appropriate staff will have, or undertake to achieve, PCO Certification prior to thew Full Service Commencement Date of the Contract.

Applies To

supplier
Criterion 2
Type
economic
Description
4B.4 - Financial Ratios 4B.5.1a/b, 4B.5.2 and 4B.5.3 - Insurance
Minimum
4B.4 - Bidders must demonstrate a Current Ratio of not less than 1.0 Current Ratio will be calculated as follows: Total Current Assets divided by Total current liabilities. There must be no qualification or contra-indication from any evidence provided in support of the bidders economic and financial standing. 4B.5.1 - It is a requirement of this contract that bidders hold, or can commit to obtain prior to the commencement of any subsequently awarded contract, the types and levels of insurance indicated below: 48.5.1a - Professional Risk Indemnity: in the sum of not less than 10,000,000 GBP 4B.5.1b - Employer’s (Compulsory) Liability Insurance In accordance with the legal obligation for the time being enforced. 4B.5.2 - Public Liability Insurance (including Abuse Liability) in the value of not less than 10,000,000 GBP 4B.5.3 - Additional insurances as described in Schedule 1 - Specification

Applies To

supplier
Criterion 3
Type
technical
Description
4C.1.2 - Relevant Experience 4C.4 - Supply Chain Management/Tracking Systems Used 4C.7 - Environmental Management 4C.10 - Proportion (%) to be Sub-Contracted
Minimum
4C.1.2 - Bidders will be required to provide examples that demonstrate that they have the relevant experience to deliver the services/supplies within the past three years. 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 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. Note: Accepted evidence includes but is not limited to: - extract of terms & conditions detailing standard payment terms - a summarised accounts payable report showing payment on time performance - credit report 4C.7 - Bidders are required to provide details of the environmental management measures which will be available when performing the contract: 4C.10 - Bidders will be required to confirm whether they intend to subcontract and, if so, for what proportion of the contract.

Applies To

supplier

Covered By

GPA

Tender Period

Ends
5 Aug 2026, 12:00

Submission terms

Languages

en

Bid Validity Period

Duration In Days
180

Expected award period

Starts
5 Aug 2026, 12:00

Bid Opening

Date
5 Aug 2026, 12:00

Contract terms

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

Lots and requirements

Entry 1
Id
1
Description
Scottish Ministers are responsible for the placement and management of children under the age of 18 who are sentenced to detention by the courts, including responsibility for their secure transportation. Legislative changes introduced through the Children (Care and Justice) (Scotland) Act 2024 reinforce Scotland’s commitment to a rights-based, trauma-informed, child-centred justice system. The service will provide secure transport and escort services for children between courts, secure centres, hospitals, and other premises across Scotland. This will include, but is not limited to planned, unplanned and standby escorts, and custody and supervision at court, and transfer arrangements when a child reaches the age of 18, where required. The Service will only cover children whose secure transport and escort are the responsibility of Scottish Ministers. The contract is anticipated to commence in January 2027 for a period of 36 months with the option to extend by up to a further 24 months.
Has Renewal
Yes
Has Options
No
Status
active

Award criteria

Criteria

Criterion 1
Name
Operational Delivery Model
Type
quality
Description
20
Criterion 2
Name
Safeguarding, Welfare & Child-Centred Practice
Type
quality
Description
15
Criterion 3
Name
Mobilisation & Implementation
Type
quality
Description
15
Criterion 4
Name
Staffing, Training & Workforce
Type
quality
Description
10
Criterion 5
Name
Risk Management & Incident Handling
Type
quality
Description
10
Criterion 6
Name
Vehicle, Logistics & Security
Type
quality
Description
10
Criterion 7
Name
Performance & Continuous Improvement
Type
quality
Description
5
Criterion 8
Name
Climate Emergency
Type
quality
Description
5
Criterion 9
Name
Fair Work First
Type
quality
Description
5
Criterion 10
Name
Business Continuity And Disaster Recovery (BCDR)
Type
quality
Description
5
Criterion 11
Name
Community Benefits
Type
quality
Description
0
Criterion 12
Type
price
Description
25

Value

Amount
1,000,000
Currency
GBP

Contract period

Duration In Days
1,080

Renewal

Description
The contract may be extended by a period of up to 24 months

Submission terms

Variant Policy
notAllowed

Items and delivery

Item 1
Id
1
Related Lot
1

Additional Classifications

Entry 1
Scheme
CPV
Id
75231220
Description
Prisoner-escort services

Delivery locations

Entry 1
Region
UKM

Buyer, suppliers and contacts

Organisation 1
Name
Scottish Government
Id
GB-FTS-1538

Identifier

Legal Name
Scottish Government

Address

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

Contact

Roles

buyer
centralPurchasingBody

Details

Classifications

Entry 1
Scheme
TED_CA_TYPE
Id
MINISTRY
Description
Ministry or any other national or federal authority, including their regional or local subdivisions
Entry 2
Scheme
COFOG
Id
01
Description
General public services
Organisation 2
Name
Edinburgh Sheriff Court
Id
GB-FTS-404

Identifier

Legal Name
Edinburgh Sheriff Court

Address

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

Roles

reviewBody

Recorded locations

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

Notice and amendment history

2 published notice versions reviewed by ProcuraAxis.

2 VERSIONS
  1. 042433-2026planning ·
  2. 063254-2026tender ·