Scope
Reference
TD2317
Description
IMPORTANT: THIS IS NOT AN INVITATION TO TENDER - THIS NOTICE SEEKS TO ALERT THE MARKET THAT IT IS OUR INTENTION TO TENDER AROUND DECEMBER 2025
The Authority is planning to undertake a Tender for the "Management of Derby City Council Leisure Centres"
The Scope of the service includes Derby Arena; and Springwood Leisure Centre. The Services Specification will be based on the Sport England template, made bespoke to this project.
The objective of the procurement will be to secure the most advantageous tender considering the Authority's strategic outcomes (set out in paragraph 3 below) whilst maximising the payment to the Authority.
In undertaking this procurement, the Authority wishes to achieve the following outcomes
• Establish a long-term partnership with an experience operator
• Financial stability for the Centres through reduced costs and increased income due to a more commercial approach
• Capital investment for backlog maintenance and future investment and operator)
• Planned and funded lifecycle investment, given age of facilities and future requirements
• Increased participation of the Centres
• Increased participation by those residents who are normally less likely to use a leisure centre
• Promotion of improved wellbeing for residents
• Positive impact on reducing physical activity and health inequality in the City
• Maximise Derby Arena's primary focus as a regional, national, and international, sports venue that supports the City's sporting aspirations.
It is anticipated that the Contract will commence in early 2027.
Total value (estimated)
- £82,000,000 excluding VAT
- £98,400,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 5 April 2027 to 4 April 2037
- Possible extension to 4 April 2047
- 20 years
Description of possible extension:
1 x 4-year extension
2 x 3-year extensions
The extensions may not be in this particular order but will be 10 years overall. Further details will be available once the tender is published. The full term of the contract including extensions will be 20 years.
Options
The right to additional purchases while the contract is valid.
1 x 4-year extension
2 x 3-year extensions
The extensions may not be in this particular order but will be 10 years overall. Further details will be available once the tender is published. The full term of the contract including extensions will be 20 years.
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 92610000 - Sports facilities operation services
Contract locations
- UKF11 - Derby
Participation
Particular suitability
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Submission
Publication date of tender notice (estimated)
12 December 2025
Submission type
Tenders
Tender submission deadline
30 January 2026, 11:59pm
Submission address and any special instructions
IMPORTANT: THIS IS NOT AN INVITATION TO TENDER - THIS NOTICE SEEKS TO ALERT THE MARKET THAT IT IS OUR INTENTION TO TENDER AROUND DECEMBER 2025
The tender will be published on https://www.eastmidstenders.org/
Further details can be accessed via the tender document which will available on the above link. Please search for TD2317 when the opportunity goes live.
Please note- we will only accept expressions of interest through the e-tendering system.
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
1 August 2026
Recurring procurement
Publication date of next tender notice (estimated): 13 December 2025
Award criteria
| Name | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Price | 60% |
| Quality | Quality | 40% |
Procedure
Procedure type
Competitive flexible procedure
Competitive flexible procedure description
Stage 1: Invitation to Participate
Once the deadline for submission of PSQ responses has passed, the Council will conduct an initial compliance and completeness check to ensure that all requested information has been submitted. All Suppliers that pass this compliance and completeness assessment will then pass on to the next stage of the assessment.
Qualification will be determined through a series of pass/fail questions and a series of scored questions based on past performance.
Stage 2 - Invitation to Submit Initial Tender
Following the deadline for submission of initial tenders, the Council will assess initial tenders in accordance with the assessment process and award criteria set out in the Tender Notice and in the tender documentation which will be published with the notice. The assessment process will identify which Suppliers are to be selected to participate in the negotiation/dialogue stage as set out in Stage 3
The Council will likely shortlist a maximum of 3 suppliers who overall offer the highest scoring Initial Tenders and meet the Minimum Acceptable Score Threshold to participate in Stage 3.
Stage 3 - Invitation to Participate in Negotiation
Stage 3 will commence with the issuing of a letter inviting Suppliers that have been successfully shortlisted at Stage 2 to participate in negotiation and attend one or more negotiation meetings.
Stage 3 will conclude with the issuing of letters to all participating Suppliers confirming the closure of negotiation.
NOTE: FURTHER DETAILS WILL BE SUPPLIED WHEN THE TENDER IS ISSUED. ALL INFORMATION SUPPLIED IN THIS NOTICE IS PROVIDED IN GOOD FAITH AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
Contracting authority
Derby City Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PQVM-1383-ZBXP
The Council House - Corporation Street
Derby
DE1 2FS
United Kingdom
Email: procurement@derby.gov.uk
Website: https://www.derby.gov.uk/
Region: UKF11 - Derby
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.
MAX ASSOCIATES (HOLDINGS) LIMITED
Summary of their role in this procurement: consultancy specialising in public sector sports, leisure, and cultural services
- Companies House: 07809606
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PWLJ-6612-XBTD
6th Floor Capital Tower
London
SE1 8RT
United Kingdom
Email: kirsty@max-associates.com
Website: http://www.max-associates.com
Region: UKI45 - Lambeth