Scope
Reference
PA14
Description
Swale Borough Council is inviting Expressions of Interest to tender for Leisure Service Provision in Swale, Kent.
The contract will involve Management & Operation of the Swale Leisure Facilities for the contract term.
The contract shall commence on 01/04/2027 and terminate on either 31/03/2037. The council may extend the opportunity for a further 5 years. The tenderer/s who submit/s the Most Advantageous Tender will be awarded the contract.
Expressions of Interest and the Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ) document must be submitted / uploaded on the Council's e-tendering portal. The closing date for submission of Expressions of Interest and the closing date for the PSQ is 18 August 2024 at 12:00 noon.
Swale Borough Council currently owns two wet and dry leisure facilities, Sheppey Leisure Complex, Sheerness (incorporating Sheppey Healthy Living Centre and Sheerness Swimming Pool) and Swallows Leisure Centre, Sittingbourne. There is planned major investment into the dryside facilities at Sheppey Leisure Complex in Sheerness which commenced in February 2025 and due for completion in June 2026.
There are two lots, Lot 1 includes both facilities plus the addition of Faversham Swimming pool (indoor and outdoor pools) Lot 2 only includes Swallows and Sheppey Leisure Complex.
We are looking for bidders to provide a tender return for both Lots and complete all three financial returns.
Total value (estimated)
- £23,750,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 April 2027 to 31 March 2037
- Possible extension to 31 March 2042
- 15 years
Description of possible extension:
The council may extend the contract by up to 5 years.
Options
The right to additional purchases while the contract is valid.
The Contracting Authority reserves the right to directly award additional or repeat, goods, works or services in accordance with Schedule 5, paragraph 8 of the Act.
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 92000000 - Recreational, cultural and sporting services
Contract locations
- UKJ4 - Kent
Lot constraints
Maximum number of lots a supplier can be awarded: 1
Description of how multiple lots may be awarded:
Only 1 Lot will be awarded
Lot 1. Sheppey, Swallows and Faversham
Description
Lot 1 includes Sheppey Leisure Complex, Sheerness (incorporating Sheppey Healthy Living Centre and Sheerness Swimming Pool), Swallows Leisure Centre, Sittingbourne and Faversham Swimming pool (indoor and outdoor pools).
Lot value (estimated)
- £14,750,000 including VAT
Same for all lots
CPV classifications, contract locations, contract dates and options are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot 2. Swallows and Sheppey
Description
Lot 2 only includes Swallows and Sheppey Leisure Complex.
Lot value (estimated)
- £9,000,000 including VAT
Same for all lots
CPV classifications, contract locations, contract dates and options are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Participation
Legal and financial capacity conditions of participation
Lot 1. Sheppey, Swallows and Faversham
Lot 2. Swallows and Sheppey
Legal Capacity - GDPR
• Satisfactory credit check (low or very low risk score)
• Net reserves sufficient to cover 6 months of net operating expenditure
• Positive cash flow from operations
• Average invoice payment days 30 days or less
• No reported uncertainty regarding going concern status.
Confirmation that the tenderer already has, or can commit to obtain, prior to the award of the contract, the levels of insurance cover indicated.
Technical ability conditions of participation
Lot 1. Sheppey, Swallows and Faversham
Lot 2. Swallows and Sheppey
Technical Ability including contract examples and safeguarding.
Particular suitability
Lot 1. Sheppey, Swallows and Faversham
Lot 2. Swallows and Sheppey
Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Submission
Submission type
Requests to participate
Deadline for requests to participate
21 August 2025, 12:00pm
Submission address and any special instructions
Expressions of Interest and Procurement Specific Questionnaires must be submitted via ProContract: https://procontract.due-north.com/
Clarifications during the PSQ stage must be submitted via the Portal. Any requests for clarification relating to the Procurement during subsequent stages must be submitted via email to LeisureClarifications@swale.gov.uk
Tenders must be submitted via email to: LeisureTenders@swale.gov.uk
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Suppliers to be invited to tender
Lot 1. Sheppey, Swallows and Faversham
Lot 2. Swallows and Sheppey
Maximum 6 suppliers per lot
Selection criteria:
per lot
Award decision date (estimated)
31 October 2025
Recurring procurement
Publication date of next tender notice (estimated): 14 July 2035
Award criteria
| Name | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Quality | Quality | 60% |
| Price | Price | 40% |
Other information
Payment terms
Payments made within 30 days for valid, undisputed invoices.
Invoices should be submitted to exchequer@swale.gov.uk
Description of risks to contract performance
Identified contract risks will be managed throughout the term of the Contract.
The age of the existing buildings and associated plant/equipment is an identified contract risk. Swallows Leisure centre was built in 1989, Sheerness Pool 1980, and Faversham outdoor pool 1964, with the indoor pool facility added in 1993. Building condition surveys for each site are available for Bidders to view, identifying priority works.
Where relevant, identified risks will be subject to negotiation e.g. level of capital investment, delay in opening of new Sheppey Healthy Living Centre, new pool is not developed at Sheppey, planning permission cannot be achieved at Faversham etc. The cost of these risks will be discussed by the Authority and the Bidder and made clear through submitted tenders.
The risks will be reflected in the Contract to enable permitted modifications under the Act.
Applicable trade agreements
- Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Competitive flexible procedure
Competitive flexible procedure description
Stage 1 - Invitation to participate / Procurement Specific Questionnaire
Stage 2 - Invitation to submit Initial Tenders
Stage 3 - Invitation to participate in dialogue (and/or negotiate)
Stage 4 - Invitation to submit a final tender
Documents
Documents to be provided after the tender notice
Either on https://procontract.due-north.com/ via email or on https://www.delta-esourcing.com/
Contracting authority
Swale Borough Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PJVX-4924-XHDQ
Swale House, East Street
Sittingbourne, Kent
ME10 3HT
United Kingdom
Email: procurement@swale.gov.uk
Region: UKJ43 - Kent Thames Gateway
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government