Directorate for Education Review Of Sabhal Mòr Ostaig

The Scottish Government, on behalf of the Scottish Ministers, is commissioning independent social research for the Scottish Government’s review of Sabhal Mòr Ostaig (SMO).

The Scottish Languages Bill was passed by the Scottish Parliament in June 2025. The Bill received Royal Assent on 31 July 2025 and became an Act of Parliament on 1 August 2025. The regulations activate Section 32 of the Act in full on 15 September 2026, triggering the legal obligation on Scottish Ministers to carry out a review of SMO.

It also starts the statutory timetable of 12 months during which Scottish Ministers must complete the review and use it to inform a report which must then be published and laid before the Scottish Parliament.

A key aim of the review is to provide robust evidence based research findings. It will focus on SMO’s funding and collate stakeholder views on its status and future development. This will inform ministerial decisions on strategic direction, including where enhancements to SMO’s functions, operating model (including improved ways of working), financial sustainability (including income generation), and strategic impact could provide greatest value and strengthen SMO’s role a as Scotland’s national centre for Gaelic language, education and culture.. Collaborative bids are welcomed, particularly those combining expertise in Gaelic language, education, culture and identity; post-school education, training and skills in Scotland in particular further and higher education; and the review, analysis and reporting of financial 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 32427. For more information see: http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/info/InfoCentre.aspx?ID=2343