Scope
Reference
OPEN2025410
Description
HM Senior Coroner for Newcastle and Acting Senior Coroner for North Tyneside has an obligation to investigate sudden deaths. Based on the figures for the past twelve months approximately 500 cases for Newcastle City Council and 500 cases for North Tyneside Council were required to be removed and transported to a mortuary for further investigation. Such removals are carried out in an unmarked vehicle.
In some cases, this involved the deceased to be returned from the mortuary to a designated address. The return of the deceased to a designated address will be the responsibility of the family or representative of the deceased. The service provider is at liberty to negotiate with such parties as to whether a charge is made for this service dependant on the appointed service provider.
However, this contract is not an opportunity to gain provision of funeral services. The Service provider will not, under any circumstances, actively canvas relatives or friends of the deceased with a view to carrying out the funeral arrangements.
The successful suppliers will manage the contract on a rotational basis. The nature of the Framework Agreement is such that Contractors on the Framework List will be contacted in order, and where a Contractor is unable to deliver the Service when requested, the Authority will make the request of the next Contractor on the Framework List.
The service Framework is split into two Lots. Lot 1 will cover the Newcastle City Council area (Appendix A1) and Lot 2 will cover North Tyneside area (Appendix A2). Providers can tender for one or both areas.
The approximate annual value is £480,000 per year for 4 years (£1,920,000). With a 2 x 12-month extension (subject to funding and need). There is no guarantee of the number of requests received each year during the contract period over the 2 lots.
Commercial tool
Establishes an open framework
Total value (estimated)
- £2,880,000 excluding VAT
- £3,456,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 25 March 2026 to 24 March 2030
- Possible extension to 24 March 2032
- 6 years
Description of possible extension:
4 years plus 2 x 12 month extensions
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 98370000 - Funeral and related services
Contract locations
- UKC2 - Northumberland and Tyne and Wear
Lot constraints
Description of how multiple lots may be awarded:
Service Framework is split into two Lots. Lot 1 will cover the
Newcastle City Council area and Lot 2 will cover North Tyneside area.
Lot 1. Lot 1 - Newcastle
Description
Newcastle Wards - Service for Coroner's Transport. Approx £240,000 PA (depending on requirement). Please see specification (Appendix A)
Lot value (estimated)
- £1,440,000 excluding VAT
- £1,728,000 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. Lot 2 - North Tyneside
Description
North Tyneside Wards - Service for Coroner's Transport. Approx £240,000 PA (depending on requirement). Please see specification (Appendix A)
Lot value (estimated)
- £1,440,000 excluding VAT
- £1,728,000 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
Open framework scheme end date (estimated)
25 March 2032
Maximum number of suppliers
Unlimited
Maximum percentage fee charged to suppliers
0%
Framework operation description
Price scores will be calculated by adding all associated costs together less any proposed discount to give a total NET cost. The provider that scores the lowest overall NET score will be awarded 100%. Other bids will be compared against the lowest bid and scored on a pro-rota basis using the following formula:
Lowest NET bid price ÷ Other NET bid price x 100 % (Total maximum marks available).
100% - is 40% maximum Score
Award method when using the framework
Without competition
Contracting authorities that may use the framework
Establishing party only
Participation
Particular suitability
Lot 1. Lot 1 - Newcastle
Lot 2. Lot 2 - North Tyneside
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Submission
Enquiry deadline
9 September 2025, 11:00am
Tender submission deadline
16 September 2025, 12:00pm
Submission address and any special instructions
Open Platform Reference - Project # OPEN2025504
Please visit
It is free to register and use.
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
10 November 2025
Award criteria
| Name | Description | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Price | 40% | |
| Service Requirements | Quality | 20% | |
| Contract Management | Quality | 10% | |
| Social Value | Question 8 - Social Value (mandatory) Pass/Fail |
Quality | 10% |
| Qualifications | Quality | 5% | |
| Equipment | Quality | 5% | |
| Health & Safety | Quality | 5% | |
| Equality & Diversity | Quality | 5% |
Other information
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Contracting authorities
Newcastle City Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PBHM-6848-TWYG
Civic Centre
Newcastle Upon Tyne
NE1 8QH
United Kingdom
Region: UKC22 - Tyneside
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government
North Tyneside Borough Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PYBQ-4733-WWLW
Quadrant
North Tyneside
NE27 0BY
United Kingdom
Contact name: N/A
Region: UKC22 - Tyneside
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government