Award

Forensic Freezers Essex Police Headquarters

THE POLICE, FIRE AND CRIME COMMISSIONER FOR ESSEX

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

17 Feb 2026 at 12:47

Tender

31 Oct 2025 at 15:12

Planning

28 May 2025 at 12:57

Summary of the contracting process

The procurement process for the construction of forensic freezers at the Essex Police Headquarters, managed by The Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex, is now complete. The project involved constructing a purpose-built walk-in cold store for storing forensic materials in Chelmsford, United Kingdom. Axis Europe Ltd has been awarded the contract, which includes works such as cold-storage installations and refrigeration equipment installation. The open competition procurement method was applied, with the contract signed on 14 February 2026 and active from 15 February to 30 September 2026. The contract is worth £259,619.75, excluding VAT, and follows legislative guidelines set out in the UKPGA 2023/54.

This tender creates significant business opportunities within the construction and installation sector, particularly for companies specialised in cold storage solutions, refrigeration equipment, and electrical installation work. The procurement process favoured open competition, providing ample opportunity for businesses, regardless of size, to engage in government contracts below the threshold. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with expertise in mechanical installations and forensic room construction are particularly well-suited to meet the design specifications and technical requirements, thereby allowing them to expand their portfolio and foster growth in public sector engagement.

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Notice Title

Forensic Freezers Essex Police Headquarters

Notice Description

Construction of purpose-built walk-in cold store at Essex Police Headquarters, Chelmsford.

Planning Information

Please register your interest in this project by sending an email to emma.saunders@kent.police.uk. Please feel free to provide any commentary regarding the feasibility and the deliverability of the requirements. The Authority uses an e-tendering platform for all tender activity.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0527f1
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/014284-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Planning, Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Works
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Below threshold - open competition
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

45 - Construction work


CPV Codes

45213210 - Cold-storage installations

45216100 - Construction work for buildings relating to law and order or emergency services

45310000 - Electrical installation work

45331231 - Installation work of refrigeration equipment

45350000 - Mechanical installations

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£275,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
£275,000 £100K-£500K
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£259,619 £100K-£500K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
17 Feb 20265 days ago
Submission Deadline
27 Nov 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
10 Jun 2025Expired
Award Date
14 Feb 20261 weeks ago
Contract Period
15 Feb 2026 - 30 Sep 2026 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
THE POLICE, FIRE AND CRIME COMMISSIONER FOR ESSEX
Contact Name
Emma Saunders
Contact Email
emma.saunders@kent.police.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
WITHAM
Postcode
CM8 3HB
Post Town
Chelmsford
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLH East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLH3 Essex
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLH34 Essex Haven Gateway
Delivery Location
TLH East (England), TLH3 Essex

Local Authority
Braintree
Electoral Ward
Silver End & Cressing
Westminster Constituency
Witham

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

AXIS EUROPE

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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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.

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