The objective of the Scottish Government Health and Social Care Directorates (SGHSCD) and the Authority, acting through its division, Health Facilities Scotland (HFS) is to procure a new series of construction and professional advisor frameworks for use by NHSScotland bodies and those other organisations nominated by HFS and described in more detail in this section below (“Framework Customers”), to deliver cost and time efficiencies in the delivery of publicly funded health and social care projects across Scotland. The establishment of this new series of frameworks is presently scheduled for early 2013.

This Lead Advisor Framework (the “Framework”), part of a proposed series of professional services advisor frameworks, will be used by Framework Customers for other health and social care projects and consultancy advice in addition to work relating to projects to be delivered under the Frameworks Scotland 2 construction framework. Frameworks Scotland 2 is a national framework agreement for Scotland to be put in place between the Authority and appointed “Principal Supply Chain Partners”, under which a range of publicly funded construction and repair/maintenance schemes will be delivered in respect of health, social care and other facilities.

This Framework will provide lead advisor services to Framework Customers on a call-off basis.

The role of Lead Advisor is varied and may include inputs to projects to be delivered via a variety of procurement routes. It will be a key requirement of this framework to provide project management services, cost advisor services, supervisor services and brief writing for construction projects procured under the NEC3 suite of contracts. The Lead Advisor may also undertake technical building inspections and building surveys in accordance with the NHSScotland Property Appraisal Manual to assist in the development of Property and Asset Management Strategies (PAMS) and the NHSScotland State of Assets and Facilities Report. These inspections / surveys will also be used to inform backlog maintenance requirements and scope projects comprising programmes of risk reduction, statutory compliance and refurbishment works. The Lead Advisor will require to be conversant with all procurement routes used to deliver NHSScotland projects, though the primary focus of the role will be in respect of schemes delivered via the Frameworks Scotland 2 construction framework.

It is intended that the following parties will be Framework Customers entitled to call off the Framework:-.

— NHS Scotland Health Boards, Special Health Boards, and other NHS organisations operating in Scotland,

— Any other organisations involved in the provision of health, social care, or health or social care related services in Scotland (including those working with or on behalf of the above NHS Scotland bodies) including, without limitation, entities which are involved in the funding and/or operation of health and social care facilities, universities, charities and local authorities, as nominated by the Authority.

These bodies may act individually or collectively when calling off the Framework.

Further information is provided in the Memorandum of Information on https://www.publictendersscotland.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk issued in connection with this tender process.

Health Facilities Scotland, a division of the Authority, is running this tender process. Economic operators are advised that the issue of documents by Health Facilities Scotland does not commit the Authority, the Scottish Ministers, any NHS Board in Scotland or any other NHSScotland organisation to:

— Proceed with the appointment of economic operators to this Framework,

— Award any subsequent contract for individual projects pursuant to this Framework.

None of the Authority, the Scottish Ministers, or any NHSScotland organisation, nor any of their advisors, shall be liable for any expenses incurred by economic operators in connection with the tender process whether for this Framework or any subsequent contract pursuant to this Framework.

NOTE: To register your interest in this notice and obtain any additional information please visit the Public Contracts Scotland Web Site at http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=230388.