Public Procurement and Property

Centres of Expertise – 4 Lots

June 8, 2026 by Scottish Procurement No Comments | Category Procurement news, Scottish Procurement

We are seeking service providers to deliver Centres of Expertise across four policy areas: 

• Climate Change 

• Animal Disease 

• Nature, Environment and Water 

• Plant Health 

These Centres are commissioned through the Rural and Environment Science and Analytical Services (RESAS) Division. They will bring together expertise from across Scotland, the wider UK and internationally into virtual centres. 

The aim is to make it easier for the Scottish Government and its public bodies to access high-quality scientific evidence and advice. The Centres will support policy development by improving coordination, strengthening collaboration and encouraging innovation. 

Upcoming supplier event 

We are hosting a virtual event on 23 June, 2pm – 3.30pm to cover: 

• the procurement process 

• specifications for each lot  

• a live Q&A with Scottish Government policy leads  

Sign up via Supplier Development Programme’s website and register your interest through our Prior Information Notice on Public Contracts Scotland. 

What the Centres will do 

All Centres of Expertise will: 

• coordinate research, analysis and interpretation across their subject area 

• provide high-quality, policy-relevant evidence 

• support interdisciplinary working 

• promote innovation in policy development and delivery 

• deliver effective knowledge exchange with stakeholders 

• develop clear communication and engagement approaches to ensure evidence is accessible and used in practice 

Delivery model 

Each lot will appoint a Lead Service Provider. Providers may form consortia or sub-contract to delivery partners to bring together the required expertise. 

Climate Change 

The Centre will support Scotland’s climate mitigation and adaptation ambitions by providing timely, accessible, and interdisciplinary evidence, through both rapid outputs and longer-term research. The suppliers of the Centre will have the following aims: 

• deliver a rolling, policy-driven programme of evidence, balancing mitigation, adaptation and just transition priorities, and providing both rapid and longer-term research outputs 

• provide integrated, systems-level analysis across sectors including climate, environment, energy, land use, agriculture and socio-economics 

• enhance the impact of Scottish-funded science and translate UK and international research into a Scottish context, ensuring clear, policy-ready communication and effective knowledge exchange 

• horizon scan emerging risks, opportunities and priority evidence needs to support forward-looking climate policy development 

Animal Disease 

The Centre will strengthen Scotland’s preparedness for, and response to, animal disease outbreaks by providing coordinated, scientific advice and evidence. The suppliers of the Centre will have the following aims: 

• deliver high-quality research-based evidence and advice on the prevention and control of animal disease outbreaks to the Scottish Government 

• provide expert scientific advice to the Scottish Government at short notice in the event of notifiable, zoonotic or newly emerging animal disease in the UK 

• stimulate innovative thinking in support of animal health policy development and delivery 

• enhance coordination of research, analysis and interpretation across the subject area, leading to high-quality, world leading interdisciplinary research and the production of policy-relevant outputs 

• develop a programme of knowledge exchange to underpin policy and support the wider dissemination of best practice among stakeholders 

Centre of Expertise for Nature, Environment and Water 

The Centre will support nature restoration, environmental quality and protection, and water management through timely, accessible, scientific advice and evidence. The suppliers of the Centre will have the following aims: 

• deliver timely, high-quality advice and research-based evidence on nature restoration, environmental quality and protection, and water management to the Scottish Government and its delivery partners 

• stimulate innovative thinking in support of policy development and implementation across these areas 

• enhance coordination of research, analysis and interpretation, leading to high-quality, policy-relevant outputs 

• deliver an effective programme of knowledge exchange and communication with the Scottish Government and wider stakeholders 

Centre of Expertise for Plant Health 

The Centre will support plant health across Scotland’s crops, horticulture, forestry, and natural environment by providing coordinated access to expert advice and research. The suppliers of the Centre will have the following aims: 

• horizon scan emerging threats and evidence needs, strengthening Scotland’s capacity to prevent and respond to plant pests and diseases 

• enhance resilience, surveillance and emergency response planning, and provide scientific evidence to support outbreak management and impact mitigation 

• deliver timely, accurate research-based evidence on plant health risk mitigation, including improved biosecurity, management strategies, and the use of new technologies and innovations 

• reduce plant pest and disease risks associated with the movement of plants, trade, and people 

The timeline is currently being drafted but we anticipate that this will be procured this summer and awarded by December 2026. Contracts will run for an initial 3 year period, with the option to extend for a further 2 years. 

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For further information on public procurement in Scotland please visit www.gov.scot/procurement

Please email enquiries to scottishprocurement@gov.scot

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