Scope
Reference
001291
Description
The Council wishes to develop a Select Provider List for HM Coroner Removals, Transport and Storage.
This opportunity is primarily for the removal and transport of the deceased from the place of death, within the boundaries of County Durham and Darlington, to one of the following nominated mortuaries:
• Darlington Memorial Hospital
• University Hospital of North Durham
• Newcastle Freeman Hospital
There may also be a requirement of body storage should the above mortuaries exceed capacity. Providers will be asked if they are able to offer storage (in line with paragraph 2.1 - Lot 3 of the specification) at the request of the Senior Coroner.
Durham County Council is seeking multiple Providers who can deliver the service(s) specified and the Select Provider List has THREE Lots (each Lot is divided into sub-lots relating to geographical areas) as detailed below based on category required.
Bidders can apply for one, two, or all three lots.
The Select Provider List is an open agreement where, at any time, any Provider that meets the required standards in the Selection Questionnaire can bid. However, should the Council deem there be sufficient providers to meet need then the Select Provider List may be closed and re-opened as required. The Council has the discretion to open and close selected Lots and not all Lots should it choose to. However, at the discretion of the Council, the Select Provider List may remain closed should commissioners deem there be sufficient members to meet demand.
The Council makes no guarantee to any Provider that they will be awarded any work under this Select Provider List and no guarantee is made in respect of any volume of work under any such agreement, or in aggregate under the contract. The Contract provides for no form of exclusivity and the Council is at all times entitled to enter into other contracts and agreements with other Providers for the provision of any of these Services.
Each Provider should understand that their submission constitutes an acceptance to the Council of the terms of the Contract. The contract affords the Provider merely the opportunity to respond to an invitation from the Council for the provision of services.
Total value (estimated)
- £3,000,000 excluding VAT
- £3,600,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 10 February 2026 to 31 December 2029
- Possible extension to 31 December 2035
- 9 years, 10 months, 19 days
Description of possible extension:
3 periods of 24 months each subject to commissioner and budget approval.
Options
The right to additional purchases while the contract is valid.
The Council reserve the right to modify the specification:
• If new legislation and/or guidance regarding the Removal, Transport and/or Storage of the Deceased is published by the governing bodies / relevant organisations.
• Designated Hospital Mortuaries may change as to what is detailed in Appendix 2 - Contract Areas Designated Mortuaries within the 3A Specification.
• Usage may increase/decrease subject to demand.
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 98370000 - Funeral and related services
Contract locations
- UKC13 - Darlington
- UKC14 - Durham CC
Lot 1. Body Removal
Description
Lot 1 Area 1 Easington
Lot 1 Area 2 Durham City
Lot 1 Area 3 Chester le Street
Lot 1 Area 4 Derwentside
Lot 1 Area 5 Wear Valley
Lot 1 Area 6 Teesdale
Lot 1 Area 7 Sedgefield
Lot 1 Area 8 Darlington
Lot value (estimated)
- £1,250,000 excluding VAT
- £1,500,000 including VAT
Same for all lots
CPV classifications, contract locations, contract dates and options are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot 2. Body Transport
Description
Lot 2 Area 1 Easington
Lot 2 Area 2 Durham City
Lot 2 Area 3 Chester le Street
Lot 2 Area 4 Derwentside
Lot 2 Area 5 Wear Valley
Lot 2 Area 6 Teesdale
Lot 2 Area 7 Sedgefield
Lot 2 Area 8 Darlington
Lot value (estimated)
- £1,250,000 excluding VAT
- £1,500,000 including VAT
Same for all lots
CPV classifications, contract locations, contract dates and options are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot 3. Body Storage
Description
Lot 3 Area 1 Easington
Lot 3 Area 2 Durham City
Lot 3 Area 3 Chester le Street
Lot 3 Area 4 Derwentside
Lot 3 Area 5 Wear Valley
Lot 3 Area 6 Teesdale
Lot 3 Area 7 Sedgefield
Lot 3 Area 8 Darlington
Lot value (estimated)
- £500,000 excluding VAT
- £600,000 including VAT
Same for all lots
CPV classifications, contract locations, contract dates and options are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Participation
Particular suitability
Lot 1. Body Removal
Lot 2. Body Transport
Lot 3. Body Storage
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
Submission
Tender submission deadline
9 February 2026, 10:00am
Submission address and any special instructions
https://www.open-uk.org using reference OPEN20251669
The Select Provider List is an open agreement where, at any time, any Provider that meets the required standards in the Selection Questionnaire can bid. However, should the Council deem there be sufficient providers to meet need then the Select Provider List may be closed and re-opened as required. The Council has the discretion to open and close selected Lots and not all Lots should it choose to. However, at the discretion of the Council, the Select Provider List may remain closed should commissioners deem there be sufficient members to meet demand.
The Council makes no guarantee to any Provider that they will be awarded any work under this Select Provider List and no guarantee is made in respect of any volume of work under any such agreement, or in aggregate under the contract. The Contract provides for no form of exclusivity and the Council is at all times entitled to enter into other contracts and agreements with other Providers for the provision of any of these Services.
Each Provider should understand that their submission constitutes an acceptance to the Council of the terms of the Contract. The contract affords the Provider merely the opportunity to respond to an invitation from the Council for the provision of services.
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
10 February 2026
Recurring procurement
Publication date of next tender notice (estimated): 1 August 2035
Award criteria
| Name | Description | Type |
|---|---|---|
| price | Pass/Fail |
Price |
| Quality | Essential Pass Fail for contract specific criteria |
Quality |
Weighting description
Pass/Fail Criteria for both price and contract specific essential criteria
Other information
Description of risks to contract performance
Permitted changes that may occur
Designated Hospital Mortuaries may change as to what is detailed in Appendix 2 - Contract Areas Designated Mortuaries within the 3A Specification.
Coronial geographical area responsibility may change.
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Special regime
Light touch
Documents
Associated tender documents
https://www.open-uk.org/
Tender Documents for HM Coroner Removals, Transport & Storage Select List can be accessed free of charge at www.open-uk.org using reference - OPEN20251669
Contracting authority
Durham County Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PMPB-8772-VYWM
Corten House, Dunholme Close
Durham
DH1 5WB
United Kingdom
Email: corporate.procurement@durham.gov.uk
Website: http://www.durham.gov.uk/
Region: UKC14 - Durham CC
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government