Scope
Reference
DN804504
Description
As part of its statutory duties to maintain the highway network, Cumberland Council seeks to appoint suitably qualified Contractors to deliver efficient and effective verge maintenance and arboriculture services within the highway. These services are essential to ensuring the safe movement of traffic throughout Cumberland and to protecting the integrity and functionality of the road network.
Commercial tool
Establishes a framework
Total value (estimated)
- £900,000 excluding VAT
- £1,080,000 including VAT
Below the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 June 2026 to 31 May 2028
- 2 years
Main procurement category
Works
CPV classifications
- 45233229 - Verge maintenance work
Contract locations
- UKD1 - Cumbria
Lot 1. Verge Maintenance
Description
Service delivery for the verge cutting will be based on three geographical areas within
Cumberland's operational boundaries. The tender process will allow the appointment of a Contractor to a single or multiple areas.
Lot value (estimated)
- £300,000 excluding VAT
- £360,000 including VAT
Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
Same for all lots
CPV classifications, contract locations and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot 2. Arboriculture Works
Description
The Council also requires competent Contractors to undertake arboriculture works
including tree felling and tree, hedge and shrub maintenance services alongside a
limited selection of noxious weed treatments. This will include both planned
maintenance works and reactive or emergency works. The services are to be provided by suitably qualified contractors.
Lot value (estimated)
- £600,000 excluding VAT
- £720,000 including VAT
Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
Same for all lots
CPV classifications, contract locations and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Framework
Maximum number of suppliers
Unlimited
Maximum percentage fee charged to suppliers
0%
Framework operation description
The proposed framework Lots are as follows:
Lot 1 Verge Maintenance. Which is subdivided into three separate geographic areas
and works awarded yearly via a mini competition. There is no maximum number of sub lots per contractor
Lot 2 Countywide arbor culture works with four contractors appointed who bid via mini competition for each piece of work.
Award method when using the framework
With competition
Contracting authorities that may use the framework
Establishing party only
Participation
Particular suitability
Lot 1. Verge Maintenance
Lot 2. Arboriculture Works
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Submission
Enquiry deadline
13 March 2026, 1:00pm
Tender submission deadline
20 March 2026, 1:00pm
Submission address and any special instructions
Suppliers wishing to express an interest and obtain access to the tender documents should go to www.the-chest.org.uk and click on current opportunities from the navigation area on the left of the screen. On the next screen enter the contract Reference DN804504 in the box labelled 'contains' then click search. Click on the Blue link for the contract title to view the opportunity.
To express an interest you will need to login. If you are not already registered on the www.the-chest.org.uk you will need to return to the home page and click on Register. Register free link in the navigation area on the left of the screen. Registration is free of charge and your username and password will be emailed to you.
Cumberland Council is fully supportive of all aspects of diversity including ethnicity, race, religion, age, disability and sexual orientation. In this respect Cumberland Council welcomes expressions of interest from ethnic minority, disabled and other diverse business communities and the voluntary sector. Economic operators are therefore required to fully comply with all statutory obligations/applicable legislation and there will be a requirement to participate in the authority's supplier audits on all aspects of diversity.
The contracting authority expressly reserves the right:
(i) not to award any contract as a result of the procurement process commenced by publication of this notice; and
(ii) to make whatever changes it may see fit to the content and structure of the tendering competition; and in no circumstances will the contracting authority be liable for any costs incurred by the candidates. Any expenditure, work or effort undertaken prior to contract award is accordingly a matter solely for the commercial judgement of potential suppliers.
The contracting authority reserve the right to use any electronic portal during the life of the agreement.
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Award criteria
The award criteria will be as follows:
60% price, 30% quality and 10% social value.
Procedure
Procedure type
Below threshold - open competition
Contracting authority
Cumberland Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PJGX-9191-DYLV
Cumbria House, 107-117 Botchergate
Carlisle
CA1 1RD
United Kingdom
Region: UKD12 - East Cumbria
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government