Scope
Reference
C32552
Description
This contract has been directly awarded under the extreme urgency provisions, as set out in the Transparency Notice published on 6 January 2026, to mitigate a significant fire risk at the Kidlington waste site identified by Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service. A fire at this location would have serious consequences for public safety, including air quality impacts from smoke, disruption to critical infrastructure such as the A34 major highway, and risks to the local environment.
The contract covers the full end‑to‑end clearance of approximately 21,000 tonnes of illegally deposited mixed waste at the site. This includes establishing, maintaining, and removing site facilities and access arrangements; testing, removing and disposing of all waste material at appropriately permitted facilities (including all required waste‑transfer documentation); managing site leachate; managing odour; and providing site security throughout the works.
The contract will commence on 19 January 2026. The contract’s initial duration will align with the completion date set out in the first Accepted Programme of the ECC, which is 12th June 2026. The works will then be subject to a 12‑month defects period. The authority may extend the contract to reflect any changes to the completion date under the Accepted Programme.
The target cost for the works is £6,084,563.52. Under the NEC Option C contract model, any changes to this target cost will be managed through the compensation‑event process clearly set out in the ECC. Adjustments to the contract value or contract duration will only occur where compensation events are assessed and agreed in accordance with the contract conditions.
Full details of the contract will be provided in the Contract Details Notice, which will be published within the statutory timescales required.
Contract 1. Kidlington Waste Removal
Supplier
Contract value
- £6,084,563.52 excluding VAT
- £7,301,476.22 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Award decision date
6 January 2026
Earliest date the contract will be signed
19 January 2026
Contract dates (estimated)
- 19 January 2026 to 12 June 2027
- Possible extension to 12 June 2028
- 2 years, 4 months, 25 days
Description of possible extension:
The initial contract term will follow the first Accepted Programme in accordance with the NEC ECC. The Authority may extend the contract where required to reflect any extensions to the programme.
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 90500000 - Refuse and waste related services
Contract locations
- UKJ14 - Oxfordshire
Procedure
Procedure type
Direct award
Supplier
Acumen Waste Services Limited
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PPLQ-9621-JRQL
Acumen House, Headlands Lane
Knottingley
WF11 0LA
United Kingdom
Email: info@acumenwaste.co.uk
Region: UKE45 - Wakefield
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): Yes
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Supported employment provider: No
Public service mutual: No
Contract 1. Kidlington Waste Removal
Contracting authority
ENVIRONMENT AGENCY
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PNWW-1475-NYLN
Seacole Building, 2 Marsham Street
London
SW1P 4DF
United Kingdom
Telephone: 03459335577
Email: nick.kynman@defra.gov.uk
Region: UKI32 - Westminster
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government
Other organisation
These organisations are carrying out the procurement, or part of it, on behalf of the contracting authorities.
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS
Summary of their role in this procurement: Procurement Lead
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PNBD-3289-CDGX
Seacole Building, 2 Marsham Street
London
SW1P 4DF
United Kingdom
Telephone: 03459335577
Email: nick.kynman@defra.gov.uk
Region: UKI32 - Westminster