Scope
Reference
CC00202
Description
Where a death is considered, sudden, traumatic, unnatural the Coroner may have to undertake an investigation. In certain cases, this may result in a post mortem examination being carried out. It is also the Coroner's responsibility to remove bodies from the scene of death to the mortuary, pending an investigation into the death. Cases that require body removal are mainly limited to community deaths as opposed to hospital deaths.
The current contract for this service has been awarded to 3 providers, each of whom serve a geographical region of the county (with a degree of flexibility). The current contract is due to expire on 31st May 2026 and re-procurement is now being considered under the PA2023.
Total value (estimated)
- £800,000 excluding VAT
- £800,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 June 2026 to 31 May 2036
- 10 years
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 98370000 - Funeral and related services
Contract locations
- UKG12 - Worcestershire
Submission
Enquiry deadline
20 February 2026, 12:00pm
Tender submission deadline
5 March 2026, 12:00pm
Submission address and any special instructions
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
8 May 2026
Award criteria
| Name | Description | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost criterion 1 (Lot 0) | Pricing Schedule (Appendix 8) to be completed. |
Cost | 70.00% |
| Quality criterion 1 (Lot 0) | What would you need to consider when removing a deceased to the mortuary following a road traffic collision or collision on a railway? Please include method statements and/or job role descriptions to... |
Quality | 10.00% |
| Quality criterion 5 (Lot 0) | ... |
Quality | 10.00% |
| Quality criterion 3 (Lot 0) | Please detail the risks and mitigations that you would take into account relating to the collection/transportation of deceased and the subsequent storage at your premises. Max 500 words . Please... |
Quality | 5.00% |
| Quality criterion 2 (Lot 0) | Please detail how you would manage and fulfil multiple collections on any given night, both for routine and coroner collections? 500 words max |
Quality | 3.00% |
| Quality criterion 4 (Lot 0) | How would you manage requests, during office hours, for deceased to be moved between locations to ensure the process meets the needs of the Coroner? 500 words max. |
Quality | 2.00% |
Other information
Payment terms
The Authority shall pay the Supplier any Charges due under any invoice submitted to it by the Supplier within thirty (30) days of verifying that the invoice is valid and undisputed.
Description of risks to contract performance
Collection Access
Such collections may be required from anywhere within the geographic area to be covered and include open spaces and difficult locations as well as houses, other accommodation and sites on or adjacent to the public highway, railway or water.
Severe weather
Collection time service levels may be impacted due to severe weather conditions such as flooding, ice or snow.
Capacity
Mortuary capacity at both funeral directors and hospital premises is affected by seasonal factors and potentially unknown disease outbreaks.
Financial
The supply market is limited, and should a contracted provider cease to trade or opt to terminate the contract, suitable alternative providers may be difficult to source.
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Justification for not publishing a preliminary market engagement notice
Market engagament (under a UK2 notice) is already underway.
Contracting authority
Worcestershire County Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PRPQ-4584-WLPQ
Wildwood, Wildwood Drive
Worcester
WR5 2QT
United Kingdom
Contact name: Claire Rebbeck
Email: crebbeck@worcestershire.gov.uk
Website: http://www.worcestershire.gov.uk
Region: UKG12 - Worcestershire
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government