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New Opportunity for the Provision of Nursery Operator Services in Kirkwall, Orkney Islands

Orkney currently has no private or third sector nursery provider. The council has been running a small temporary day care service for children aged 0-3 since August 2021 in an effort to meet the childcare needs of working families.

In June 2020, Orkney Islands Council agreed to build a new 51 place 0-5 nursery provision next UHI Orkney in Kirkwall. It was agreed that the running of this provision would be tendered, creating a new opportunity for an interested operator. With the building project entering the next phase, with an anticipated completion of Mid-April 2025, the newly built nursery will be, fit for purpose, high quality, and have impactful learning environments. The new service will replace an emergency childcare provision for children aged 0-3 operated by the council out of temporary premises.

The provider will deliver the service in the setting and will provide childcare for children aged 0-5 with the option of being in partnership with the Local Authority to provide funded early learning and childcare for eligible children aged 2-5.

The services will be registered with the Care Inspectorate as day care of children services.

The contract will be a concession contract for a period of four (4) years with the option of four one-year extensions.

If you are a business or third sector organisation based in the Orkney Islands then you can find out more from the Contract Notice which was published on Public Contracts Scotland and contains all items required and are noted within the specification.

Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate in this contract is 21/04/2025 Local time: 12:00

Please note that this is a restricted procurement procedure which means that following the evaluation of the completed SPD, successful bidders will be issued with the Invitation to Tender Documentation at Stage Two of the process. Bidders will be provided with details of the service to be provided, and bidders will be required to submit a detailed proposal in response. Orkney Islands Council reserves the right to cancel the procurement at any stage and not award a Contract, the expenditure, work or effort undertaken by bidders prior to the award of any Contract is accordingly a matter solely for the commercial judgement of bidders. Late tenders will not be considered by the Council, and all questions are to be submitted via the Questions and Answers section of this contract advertisement on PCS.

Support available from the Supplier Development Programme (SDP)

SDP offers 24/7 FREE tendering support to Scottish SMEs, third sector organisations and supported businesses, via our e-Learning platform, as well as live webinars & resources. There is a course to suit every level - whether you are new to tendering or have years of experience - Find a course to fit you