FOI/202600513345 · FOI · cost limit
Techscaler contract details: FOI release
Information requested
Please provide the following information:
1. Contractual Technical Specifications: Any specific schedules or appendices within the July 2022 contract that mandate or define the technology platforms, software systems, or digital tools CodeBase must utilise to deliver the programme’s "Social Infrastructure" and "Online Learning" components.
2. Granular Financial Breakdown A detailed breakdown of the contract value and the mandated recording/reporting protocols for expenditure.
3. Platform Interoperability Any requirements regarding the integration of AI components or SaaS (Software as a Service) frameworks within the Techscaler digital environment as referenced in the Selection Process criteria FOI and EKOs report (Ref: 202500483534).
4. Procurement of Third-Party Tools: Any clauses specifying whether CodeBase is required to use Scottish-based technology providers or specific global platforms (e.g., AWS, Stripe, etc.) for the programme's operational delivery.
5. Reporting Data Systems: Details of the specific software or data-capture systems mandated by the Scottish Government to track the £257.6 million in cumulative investment and the 2,100-founder membership database cited in the March 2026 Annual Report.
6. Refining the Search: To assist with this search and avoid exemptions under Section 12 (Excessive Cost), I am specifically interested in the "Service Level Agreements" (SLAs) and "Technical Requirements" sections of the 2022 Contract.
Public Interest Note: Given that this programme involves £42 million of public funds and that recent FOI reviews (Ref: 202500411216) have identified significant redactions under Section 30(b)ii) regarding "candid assessments," there is a clear public interest in understanding the underlying technical infrastructure and contractual obligations that drive these assessments.
Response
I enclose a copy of most of the information you requested in the format you asked for by providing you with details from the Tech Scalers contract including Schedule 1 (Doc 1) which provides you with the specifications that Scottish Government issued as part of the public procurement process.
Codebase is subject to the following conditions for Payment and Invoicing:
12.1. The Purchaser must pay all sums due to the Service Provider within 30 days of receipt of a valid invoice.
12.2. The Service Provider must render invoices monthly in arrears.
12.3. The Service Provider must ensure that each invoice contains appropriate Contract and Order references as detailed in Schedule 4 and a detailed breakdown of the Services provided. The Service Provider must supply such other documentation reasonably required by the Purchaser to substantiate any invoice.
12.4. Value added tax, where applicable, must be shown separately on all invoices as a strictly net extra charge.
12.5. Interest is payable on the late payment of any undisputed sums of money in accordance with the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998. In the case of sums due by the Purchaser, the sums referred to in this clause must be properly invoiced by the Service Provider.
12.6. In this clause 12, ‘valid invoice’ includes an electronic invoice meeting all the requirements set out in regulation 70A of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015 or regulation 44A of the Concession Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2016.
We have attached sections of the contract which contains;
Mobilisation Period (doc 2) Management Fee (doc 3) Accommodation (doc 4) Education (doc 5) Resource Profile (doc 6)
Financial information has been redacted using exemption Section 33(1)(b) Substantial prejudice to commercial interests) and personal information under (section 38(1)(b). The withheld information comprises detailed cost structures, recruitment expenditure, internal fund allocation, and mobilisation modelling. Disclosure would give competitors insight into how CodeBase prices, structures, and staffs its delivery model. The Techscaler delivery model, staffing mix, and cost allocation approach are directly reusable in comparable procurements.
The Scottish Government has not mandated the use of software within its specifications, specifications detailed in schedule 1 (doc 1).
Details of the Service Level Agreements are contained within schedule 4 (doc 7) of the contract, personal information under (section 38(1)(b) has been redacted.
Section 33(1)(b) Substantial prejudice to commercial interests) is subject to the 'public interest test'. Therefore, taking account of all the circumstances of this case, we have considered if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption. We have found that, on balance, the public interest lies in favour of upholding the exemption. We recognise that there is some public interest in release because of open and transparent government & governance. However, this is outweighed by the public interest in distorting Codebase’s future ability to compete in future procurement exercises as releasing this information would distort competition.
Section 38(1)(b) is subject to the 'public interest test'. Therefore, taking account of all the circumstances of this case, we have considered if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption. We have found that, on balance, the public interest lies in favour of upholding the exemption. We recognise that there is some public interest in release because of open and transparent government & governance. However, this is outweighed by the release of staff members names that are below Senior Civil Grades.
About FOI
The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at https://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.
Detected exemption language
Refining the Search: To assist with this search and avoid exemptions under Section 12 (Excessive Cost), I am specifically interested in the "Service Level Agreements" (SLAs) and "Technical Requirements" sections of the 2022 Contract. Public Interest Note: Given that this programme involves £42 million of public funds and that recent FOI reviews (Ref: 202500411216) have identified significant redactions under Section 30(b)ii) regarding "candid assessments," there is a clear public interest in understanding the underlying technical infrastructure and contractual obligations that drive these assessments. We have attached sections of the contract which contains; Mobilisation Period (doc 2) Management Fee (doc 3) Accommodation (doc 4) Education (doc 5) Resource Profile (doc 6) Financial information has been redacted using exemption Section 33(1)(b) Substantial prejudice to commercial interests) and personal information under (section 38(1)(b). Details of the Service Level Agreements are contained within schedule 4 (doc 7) of the contract, personal information under (section 38(1)(b) has been redacted. Section 33(1)(b) Substantial prejudice to commercial interests) is subject to the 'public interest test'.