Tender

GB-Watford: Public Health Funerals

WATFORD BOROUGH COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

18 Feb 2025 at 15:35

Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Watford Borough Council is seeking expressions of interest (EOI) from funeral operator services for the provision of public health funerals in Hertfordshire. This procurement falls under the "Funeral and related services" category (CPV 98370000) and is located in the East of England. The procurement process is currently at the tender stage, with the tender period ending on 4th March 2025 at 10:00 AM. The contract, which will commence on 1st June 2025, has an estimated value of £500,000 and will run until 1st June 2029. The contract is accessible via a selective procurement method and is specifically identified as beneficial for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs).

This tender represents a significant opportunity for businesses in the funeral services sector, especially those capable of delivering cost-efficient and dignified funerals under statutory obligations. SMEs and VCSEs are particularly well-suited to compete for this contract due to the nature of the services required, which include the collection of bodies, provision of simple coffins and hearse services, and organization of funerals at local crematoria or cemeteries. Engaging in this contract can offer stable, long-term business growth while providing a crucial public service to the community. Interested parties should review and return the completed EOI to express their interest in providing these essential services.

Find more tenders on our Open Data Platform.
How relevant is this notice?

D3 Tenders Premium

Win More Public Sector Contracts

AI-powered tender discovery, pipeline management, and market intelligence — everything you need to grow your public sector business.

Start Free Trial Book a Demo
All Features Pricing

Notice Information

Notice Title

GB-Watford: Public Health Funerals

Notice Description

The purpose of this expression of interest (EOI) is to identify a Funeral operator service to provide public health service funerals on behalf of Hertfordshire District Councils. Broadly speaking the responsibility for providing funerals for individuals who pass away without any next of kin and/or adequate funds, is shared between the local council and the local hospital. More often than not referrals are made to the Council via the Coroners office and the arrangements are made for the body to be collected by a funeral director whilst a funeral is organised. The aim is to preserve the best standard of public health and hygiene in the most cost efficient manner whilst meeting the statutory obligations of this duty. The provisions of the Public Health (Control of Diseases) Act 1984 states: "It shall be the duty of a local authority [i.e. district council] to cause to be buried or cremated the body of any person who has died or been found dead in their area, in any case where it appears to the local authority that no suitable arrangements have been or are being made otherwise than by the authority." Section 46 (1) In brief the service required will consist of: 1.Collection of body from mortuary / coroner / property; 2.The provision of a simple coffin and gown; 3.Provision of Hearse and attendants to conduct the funeral; 4.A simple funeral at the nearest suitable and available Crematoria or cemetery within Hertfordshire 5.All necessary documentation / paperwork. The requirement for this service cannot be quantified in detail but for information the number of Council Tax borne public health burials undertaken by Watford Borough Council in 2023/24 was 7 funerals with a total costs of PS10,787. All 7 public health funerals were cremations. Other Districts may or may not have a similar profile of use and numbers may vary from year to year. Funeral arrangements are made on an ad-hoc basis. This contract is open to all Hertfordshire District Councils but some may choose not to use the contract and make their own arrangements. This contract requirement is seen as a light touch service contract. Please review and complete the EOI attached to this notice and return if you are interested in providing this service. The current contract expires in June 2025. Additional information: The contracting authority considers that this contract may be suitable for economic operators that are small or medium enterprises (SMEs). However, any selection of tenderers will be based solely on the criteria set out for the procurement.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-2baa1585-99c1-4ba3-877c-3e488275407a
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/7476af06-b691-4bef-b202-7a027e356b8e
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Restricted procedure
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

98 - Other community, social and personal services

CPV Codes

98370000 - Funeral and related services

98371000 - Funeral services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£500,000 £500K-£1M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
18 Feb 20251 years ago
Submission Deadline
4 Mar 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 May 2025 - 1 Jun 2029 4-5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Not Specified
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
WATFORD BOROUGH COUNCIL
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
WATFORD
Postcode
WD17 3EX
Post Town
Watford
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLH East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLH2 Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLH27 South West Hertfordshire
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Watford
Electoral Ward
Park
Westminster Constituency
Watford

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

Download

The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts. 

{
    "tag": [
        "compiled"
    ],
    "id": "ocds-b5fd17-2baa1585-99c1-4ba3-877c-3e488275407a-2025-02-18T15:35:03Z",
    "date": "2025-02-18T15:35:03Z",
    "ocid": "ocds-b5fd17-2baa1585-99c1-4ba3-877c-3e488275407a",
    "language": "en",
    "initiationType": "tender",
    "tender": {
        "id": "BIP927208000",
        "title": "GB-Watford: Public Health Funerals",
        "description": "The purpose of this expression of interest (EOI) is to identify a Funeral operator service to provide public health service funerals on behalf of Hertfordshire District Councils. Broadly speaking the responsibility for providing funerals for individuals who pass away without any next of kin and/or adequate funds, is shared between the local council and the local hospital. More often than not referrals are made to the Council via the Coroners office and the arrangements are made for the body to be collected by a funeral director whilst a funeral is organised. The aim is to preserve the best standard of public health and hygiene in the most cost efficient manner whilst meeting the statutory obligations of this duty. The provisions of the Public Health (Control of Diseases) Act 1984 states: \"It shall be the duty of a local authority [i.e. district council] to cause to be buried or cremated the body of any person who has died or been found dead in their area, in any case where it appears to the local authority that no suitable arrangements have been or are being made otherwise than by the authority.\" Section 46 (1) In brief the service required will consist of: 1.Collection of body from mortuary / coroner / property; 2.The provision of a simple coffin and gown; 3.Provision of Hearse and attendants to conduct the funeral; 4.A simple funeral at the nearest suitable and available Crematoria or cemetery within Hertfordshire 5.All necessary documentation / paperwork. The requirement for this service cannot be quantified in detail but for information the number of Council Tax borne public health burials undertaken by Watford Borough Council in 2023/24 was 7 funerals with a total costs of PS10,787. All 7 public health funerals were cremations. Other Districts may or may not have a similar profile of use and numbers may vary from year to year. Funeral arrangements are made on an ad-hoc basis. This contract is open to all Hertfordshire District Councils but some may choose not to use the contract and make their own arrangements. This contract requirement is seen as a light touch service contract. Please review and complete the EOI attached to this notice and return if you are interested in providing this service. The current contract expires in June 2025. Additional information: The contracting authority considers that this contract may be suitable for economic operators that are small or medium enterprises (SMEs). However, any selection of tenderers will be based solely on the criteria set out for the procurement.",
        "datePublished": "2025-02-18T15:35:03Z",
        "status": "active",
        "classification": {
            "scheme": "CPV",
            "id": "98370000",
            "description": "Funeral and related services"
        },
        "additionalClassifications": [
            {
                "scheme": "CPV",
                "id": "98371000",
                "description": "Funeral services"
            }
        ],
        "items": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "deliveryAddresses": [
                    {
                        "region": "East of England",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    }
                ]
            }
        ],
        "minValue": {
            "amount": 100000,
            "currency": "GBP"
        },
        "value": {
            "amount": 500000,
            "currency": "GBP"
        },
        "procurementMethod": "selective",
        "procurementMethodDetails": "Restricted procedure",
        "tenderPeriod": {
            "endDate": "2025-03-04T10:00:00Z"
        },
        "contractPeriod": {
            "startDate": "2025-06-01T00:00:00+01:00",
            "endDate": "2029-06-01T23:59:59+01:00"
        },
        "suitability": {
            "sme": true,
            "vcse": true
        },
        "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
        "documents": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "documentType": "tenderNotice",
                "description": "Opportunity notice on Contracts Finder",
                "url": "https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/7476af06-b691-4bef-b202-7a027e356b8e",
                "datePublished": "2025-02-18T15:35:03Z",
                "format": "text/html",
                "language": "en"
            },
            {
                "id": "2",
                "documentType": "tenderNotice",
                "description": "Please follow this link to view the notice.",
                "url": "https://www.delta-esourcing.com/tenders/UK-GB-Watford:-Public-Health-Funerals/HWSWKH89G9"
            }
        ]
    },
    "parties": [
        {
            "id": "GB-CFS-1296",
            "name": "Watford Borough Council",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "Watford Borough Council"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Town Hall",
                "locality": "Watford",
                "postalCode": "WD17 3EX",
                "countryName": "UK"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "name": "Derek Hatcher",
                "email": "derek.hatcher@watford.gov.uk",
                "telephone": "01923278370"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer"
            ]
        }
    ],
    "buyer": {
        "id": "GB-CFS-1296",
        "name": "Watford Borough Council"
    }
}