Scope
Reference
ATC-GroundsMaint.01/25-26
Description
Ampthill Town Council (the Council) is undertaking preliminary market engagement (PME) as the first stage in the process of identifying suitably qualified and resourced contractors that may be able provide grounds maintenance services to the Council, as required.
The Council is required to re-tender for this service under its public procurement obligations.
The required grounds maintenance services will focus primarily on Ampthill Great Park (excluding the Cricket & Football Grounds), and will also likely include other sites such as: Ampthill Cemetery, 2 allotment sites, 4 areas of public open space, a market area and car park. The Council may, as a result of communications during the PME period, consider breaking the contract down across the various site areas.
It is envisaged the contract will commence on the 1st April 2026 for an initial 3-year term, extendable by a further 3-years in increments to be agreed at the time by both parties.
The contractor will provide all necessary staff, vehicles, equipment and tools to resource the contract. The Council will provide to the contractor a storage building with mess room for use under the contract.
Commercial tool
Establishes a framework
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2029
- Possible extension to 31 March 2032
- 6 years
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 77313000 - Parks maintenance services
- 77314000 - Grounds maintenance services
Engagement
Engagement deadline
12 September 2025
Engagement process description
Ampthill Town Council is looking to engage with contractors during the PME period to gather market insight to help the Council shape its procurement strategy and develop the final specification for this contract. A contractor's questionnaire has been developed for contractors to provide the Council with insights into different ways and methods in which this contract could be delivered.
The contractors questionnaire can be requested by emailing tenders@ampthill-tc.gov.uk quoting the reference number for this PME in the email subject bar: 'ATC-GroundsMaint.01/25-26 -Questionnaire Request':
The questionnaire should be returned to the same email address tenders@ampthill-tc.gov.uk stating 'ATC-GroundsMaint.01/25-26 -Questionnaire RETURN' in the email subject bar NO LATER THAN MONDAY 18th AUGUST 2025 - NOON.
Contractors who submit a response to the questionnaire will be contacted no later than Friday 22nd August 2025 to confirm details of a guided site visit of the contract areas. The site visits will take place during w/c. 1st September 2025 (actual date/s to be confirmed). A Q&A/feasibility session will be facilitated on the same day as the site visits at our offices in Ampthill Great Park.
Contractors who miss the questionnaire submission deadline of 18th August 2025 may not be invited to attend the guided site visits but can still return a completed questionnaire to the stated email address before the PME deadline date of 12th September 2025.
This process is not part of a competitive tender process and will not be used to assess contractor suitability or to shortlist suppliers. Participation is voluntary and responses will not be scored or evaluated. Contractors who do not participate in this PME process are in no way prohibited from submitting a tender in accordance with the tender notice once it is published.
It is anticipated that the tender notice will be published by 3rd November 2025, and that this will provide the final contract specification/s and advise of the date by which tenders must be received.
Contracting authority
Ampthill Town Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PXCW-2389-TCGJ
Park Lodge, Ampthill Great Park, Woburn Street
AMPTHILL, Bedford
MK45 2HX
United Kingdom
Region: UKH25 - Central Bedfordshire
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government