Scope
Reference
EPP0217
Description
Essex County Council, through the Essex Procurement Partnership, is procuring Highway Verges & Visibility Cutting Services on behalf of Braintree District Council.
1 Introduction
1.1 Braintree District Council ("the Council") maintains highway verges in its district on behalf of Essex County Council (ECC) who are the statutory Highways Authority.
2 Background
2.1 A trial was completed in 2024 where highway verges in the district were not cut during Spring in order to access the proliferation of biodiversity.
2.2 The trial has ended, and the decision has been taken by ECC to revert back to two cuts per annum, spring and autumn.
2.3 The Council now wish to procure a contract to deliver this service in accordance with this specification including ad hoc safety cuts.
Contract 1. Highway Verges & Visibility Cutting Services
Supplier
Contract value
- £532,157 excluding VAT
- £628,588 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Award decision date
22 September 2025
Date assessment summaries were sent to tenderers
22 September 2025
Standstill period
- End: 1 October 2025
- 8 working days
Earliest date the contract will be signed
6 October 2025
Contract dates (estimated)
- 6 October 2025 to 5 October 2027
- Possible extension to 5 October 2029
- 4 years
Description of possible extension:
Options to extend for a further 2 years beyond the initial term in 1 year increments based on satisfactory performance & mutual agreement by both parties.
Main procurement category
Services
Options
The right to additional purchases while the contract is valid.
The number of ad hoc cuts can vary depending on the requirement. 40 ad hoc cuts were evaluated, however the Contracting Authority may utilise up to 100 ad hoc cuts per year.
CPV classifications
- 45233229 - Verge maintenance work
- 77300000 - Horticultural services
Contract locations
- UKH3 - Essex
Information about tenders
- 6 tenders received
- 6 tenders assessed in the final stage:
- 6 submitted by small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- 0 submitted by voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
- 1 supplier awarded contracts
- 5 suppliers unsuccessful (details included for contracts over £5 million)
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Supplier
SKIPPERS GROUND MAINTENANCE LIMITED
- Companies House: 09728481
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PHZZ-6999-MLCP
Glendale
Maldon
CM9 6RZ
United Kingdom
Email: chris@skippersgm.co.uk
Website: http://www.skippersgm.co.uk
Region: UKH36 - Heart of Essex
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): Yes
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Supported employment provider: No
Public service mutual: No
Contract 1. Highway Verges & Visibility Cutting Services
Contracting authority
Braintree District Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PGBP-7262-MJTR
Causeway House
Braintree
CM7 9HB
United Kingdom
Email: procurement@braintree.gov.uk
Region: UKH34 - Essex Haven Gateway
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government
Other organisation
These organisations are carrying out the procurement, or part of it, on behalf of the contracting authorities.
Essex County Council
Summary of their role in this procurement: Procurement requirement
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PWVM-4844-NRQH
County Hall, Market Road
Chelmsford
CM1 1QH
United Kingdom
Region: UKH36 - Heart of Essex