Scope
Reference
DN792431
Description
The Coroner for Cornwall & the Isles of Scilly is required to arrange the removal of bodies from the place of death to a designated mortuary or body holding facility in order to allow the investigation into any sudden, unexpected or unnatural deaths reported to them under The Coroner's & Justice Act 2009.
Cornwall's Senior Coroner manages the strategy for body transportation. The Police Control Centre or (occasionally) a Coroner's Officer will instruct a service provider for collections from scene to a mortuary.
Cornwall Council, the responsible body, uses a competitive tender process to appoint these service providers, ensuring efficient transport of bodies within the county, to Devon, or even nationally, as needed.
The Council commissions this statutory service and the current contract is due to expire on 31/03/26. A new tender process needs to be completed.
Please note that the new contract will likely be divided into individual geographical lots. However, the lotting strategy for the new contract has not yet been confirmed and therefore it is not possible to publish details of the lots within this UK3 notice. Publication of the UK4 (Tender Notice for Public Contracts) in due course will confirm the actual lotting strategy.
Total value (estimated)
- £3,000,000 excluding VAT
- £3,600,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2030
- Possible extension to 31 March 2034
- 8 years
Description of possible extension:
2 x 2 year extensions likely available
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 60112000 - Public road transport services
- 60130000 - Special-purpose road passenger-transport services
- 60140000 - Non-scheduled passenger transport
- 33940000 - Cadaver transport and storage equipment and supplies
Contract locations
- UKK3 - Cornwall and Isles of Scilly
Participation
Particular suitability
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
Submission
Publication date of tender notice (estimated)
24 November 2025
Enquiry deadline
14 December 2025, 12:00am
Tender submission deadline
19 December 2025, 12:00am
Submission address and any special instructions
The Contract Notice will be published on the Supplying the South West Portal the Central Digital Platform (Find a Tender) in due course.
We encourage potential suppliers to register on both Supplying the South West and the Central Digital Platform. The portals are free to register. You can set up email notifications to send you relevant contract opportunities when they arise.
Without prejudice to the potential procurement exercise the Council would welcome your interest to review this Planned procurement notice and participate in the potential procurement in due course.
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
15 January 2026
Recurring procurement
Publication date of next tender notice (estimated): 5 September 2033
Other information
Applicable trade agreements
- Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Contracting authority
Cornwall Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PYRH-9827-DWLP
County Hall
Truro
TR1 3AY
United Kingdom
Contact name: Robert Buckley
Telephone: 01872 322222
Email: Robert.Buckley@cornwall.gov.uk
Website: http://www.cornwall.gov.uk
Region: UKK30 - Cornwall and Isles of Scilly
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government