Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
Kent County Council
County Hall
Maidstone
ME14 1XQ
Contact
Mr Cameron Croucher
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UKJ4 - Kent
Internet address(es)
Main address
Buyer's address
one.3) Communication
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at
https://procontract.due-north.com/Advert/Index?advertId=7830f263-b923-ed11-8117-005056b64545
Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Regional or local authority
one.5) Main activity
General public services
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
SC22244 White Horse Wood Country Park Natural Burial Site
Reference number
DN629987
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 98370000 - Funeral and related services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
White Horse Wood Country Park, located at the top of Detling Hill, is a 65 acre site incorporating maturing woodland, planted in 2000/2001, open spaces and the ruins of Thurnham Castle. The site is located in the Kent Downs AONB and contains Thurnham Castle which is a Scheduled Ancient Monument and remnants of an iron age fort.
The site has the potential to operate as a natural burial site as well as a country park. The Council would like to engage with interested parties to understand the potential development of the site, with a particular focus on the following elements;
• Dual operation of White Horse Woods as a public country park for recreation and leisure as well as a natural burial site for both body burial and ash interment.
• Delivery of facilities including but not limited to a multifunctional building and toilets.
• Opportunities for educational learning on site, community engagement and volunteering.
• Opportunity for alternative income generating activities that are in keeping with the development of the country park as described above.
• Sustainable management of the country park post commercial burial activity
Additional information can be found here: https://www.kent.gov.uk/leisure-and-community/kent-country-parks/find-a-kent-country-park/white-horse-wood-country-park
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.2) Description
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKJ4 - Kent
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
Market engagement:
As part of this process, the Council wishes to engage with the market to gain their insights and experience in this field. We intend to conduct some market engagement meetings during October and November 2022. We will send invites to these meetings based on responses to the attached questionnaire. Please express an interest in this opportunity, and then provide your response to the Market Engagement Questionnaire via the Messages facility on the Kent Business Portal.
The Council will use this engagement to inform interested suppliers of our progress and may also ask for feedback on potential proposals as they develop.
Organisations who do not express an interest in response to this PIN will not be precluded from applying to take part in the Council's chosen procurement strategy and conclusion of our engagement findings will be shared with the published call or calls for competition.
Forms for completion:
Please find attached a Market Engagement Questionnaire designed to gather information relating to this tender, which will be used to inform KCC’s strategy for commissioning these services.
Please complete and return via the Messages function on the Kent Business Portal no later than 12:00 noon on 30 September 2022.
two.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice
3 April 2023
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes