Scope
Reference
CN260458
Description
The contract covers the provision of emergency‑response specialist tree‑surgery teams, available at short notice on a 24/7 basis.
Required emergency‑response times include both a two‑hour and a 24‑hour requirement.
Suppliers must provide suitably qualified personnel and have access to the necessary specialist equipment to remove fallen trees and branches that obstruct the highway.
They must also be able to work safely at height, using appropriate methods to remove broken or hanging branches, or partially fallen trees that present a danger to the highway.
Other necessary arboricultural works may be required to ensure the safety of the highway.
Further details on the service requirements were set out in the procurement documents.
Lot 1. Lot 1 - West
Description
Dartford, Gravesham, Maidstone, Sevenoaks, Tonbridge & Malling and Tunbridge Wells, *Medway West
Lot 2. Lot 2 - East
Description
Ashford, Canterbury, Dover, Folkestone & Hythe, Swale and Thanet, *Medway East
Contract 1. Lot 1 - West
Lots
Lot 1. Lot 1 - West
Supplier
Contract value
- £5,000,000 excluding VAT
- £6,000,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Award decision date
3 March 2026
Date assessment summaries were sent to tenderers
3 March 2026
Standstill period
- End: 12 March 2026
- 8 working days
Earliest date the contract will be signed
13 March 2026
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2031
- Possible extension to 31 March 2034
- 8 years
Description of possible extension:
There is an option to extend the service period either as a single extension of up to three (3) years or as multiple extensions, provided the total extension period does not exceed three (3) years
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 77000000 - Agricultural, forestry, horticultural, aquacultural and apicultural services
Contract locations
- UKJ4 - Kent
Contract 2. Lot 2 - East
Lots
Lot 2. Lot 2 - East
Supplier
Contract value
- £5,000,000 excluding VAT
- £6,000,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Award decision date
3 March 2026
Date assessment summaries were sent to tenderers
3 March 2026
Standstill period
- End: 12 March 2026
- 8 working days
Earliest date the contract will be signed
13 March 2026
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2031
- Possible extension to 31 March 2034
- 8 years
Description of possible extension:
There is an option to extend the service period either as a single extension of up to three (3) years or as multiple extensions, provided the total extension period does not exceed three (3) years
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 77000000 - Agricultural, forestry, horticultural, aquacultural and apicultural services
Contract locations
- UKJ4 - Kent
Information about tenders
Lot 1. Lot 1 - West
- 3 tenders received
- 3 tenders assessed in the final stage:
- 3 submitted by small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- 0 submitted by voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
- 1 supplier awarded contracts
- 2 suppliers unsuccessful (details included for contracts over £5 million)
Unsuccessful suppliers
Lot 2. Lot 2 - East
- 3 tenders received
- 3 tenders assessed in the final stage:
- 3 submitted by small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- 0 submitted by voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
- 1 supplier awarded contracts
- 2 suppliers unsuccessful (details included for contracts over £5 million)
Unsuccessful suppliers
Submission
Submission type
Tenders
Procedure
Procedure type
Competitive flexible procedure
Suppliers
DIRECT ENVIRO SERVICES LIMITED
- Companies House: 08836688
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PHMH-7851-NTLZ
Stanford Bridge Farm
Pluckley
TN27 0RU
United Kingdom
Website: https://www.directenviroservices.co.uk/
Region: UKJ45 - Mid Kent
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): Yes
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
FERNS SURFACING LIMITED
- Companies House: 03193093
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PWDJ-5393-PGYH
Tutsham Farm
Maidstone
ME15 0NE
United Kingdom
Email: headoffice@fernsgroup.co.uk
Website: http://www.fernsgroup.co.uk
Region: UKJ45 - Mid Kent
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): Yes
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Supported employment provider: No
Public service mutual: No
Connected people/organisations:
1: Ferns Group Limited (Companies House number 09415041); whose correspondence address is: Tutsham Farm, West Farleigh, Maidstone, Kent, United Kingdom, ME15 0NE.
2: Anthony Butcher (DOB: January 1975); whose correspondence address is: Tutsham Farm, West Farleigh, Maidstone, Kent, United Kingdom, ME15 0NE.
3: Harry Fern (DOB: October 1996); whose correspondence address is: Tutsham Farm, West Farleigh, Maidstone, Kent, United Kingdom, ME15 0NE.
4: The director of Ferns Surfacing Ltd, Canvins Group Limited, and Ferns Traffic Management Ltd is Ian David Fern (DOB: April 1969), whose correspondence address is: Tutsham Farm, West Farleigh, Maidstone, Kent, United Kingdom, ME15 0NE.
Associated people/organisations:
The following organisations were relied upon by the successful supplier to meet the conditions of participation:
1. Canvins Group Limited
Company Number: 12456921
PPON: PLVV‑1956‑BQRZ
Address: Tutsham Farm, Maidstone, Kent, ME15 0NE
Role: Primary arboricultural delivery partner
Condition of Participation: Technical ability - providing qualified arborists, specialist equipment, and demonstrable experience in emergency tree works.
Key Contact: James Clow, General Manager
2. Ferns Traffic Management (FTM)
Company Number: 14684397
PPON: PYHY‑7328‑TVHL
Address: Tutsham Farm, West Farleigh, Maidstone, Kent, United Kingdom, ME15 0NE
Role: Traffic management provider
Condition of Participation: Technical ability - ensuring compliance with Chapter 8 and NRSWA requirements to maintain highway safety.
Key Contact: Luke Stavrinidis, Director of Traffic Management
Contract 2. Lot 2 - East
G. BRIDGLAND LIMITED
- Companies House: 05564035
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PLVM-4666-BCXR
Heathwood Timber Yard, Marden Road
Cranbrook
TN17 2LP
United Kingdom
Email: admin@g-bridglandltd.co.uk
Website: http://www.g-bridglandltd.com
Region: UKJ46 - West Kent
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): Yes
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Supported employment provider: No
Public service mutual: No
Connected people/organisations:
Director: BRIDGLAND, Gary Christopher Simon (DOB: October 1963)
Secretary: BRIDGLAND, Debora
Correspondence address for both: 3 Heathwood Cottages, Goudhurst Road, Cranbrook, Kent, TN17 2PT
Associated people/organisations:
Traffic Management Subcontractor:
FERNS TM LIMITED
Company number 14684397
Registered office address
Tutsham Farm, West Farleigh, Maidstone, Kent, United Kingdom, ME15 0NE
Contract 1. Lot 1 - West
N.R.E. SERVICES LTD
- Companies House: SC298651
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PLVY-2425-VXZX
126 West Regent Street
Glasgow
G2 2RQ
United Kingdom
Website: https://nreservicesltd.co.uk/
Region: UKM82 - Glasgow City
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): Yes
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
NPC SPECIAL PROJECTS LIMITED
- Companies House: 08219987
3 East Point, High Street Seal,
Sevenoaks, Kent
TN15 0EG
United Kingdom
Region: UKJ46 - West Kent
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): Yes
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Contracting authority
Kent County Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PLDL-8938-YGYW
County Hall
Maidstone
ME14 1XQ
United Kingdom
Email: marie.lewzey@kent.gov.uk
Website: https://www.kent.gov.uk/
Region: UKJ45 - Mid Kent
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government